Comparison of plant extract-derived nano-zinc particles with different zinc sources and effects of different Zn sources on egg yield and quality traits.

This study aimed to compare the zinc (Zn) nanoparticles obtained from plant extracts with different zinc sources and to reveal the effects of different Zn sources on growth performance, egg quality traits and blood serum parameters of laying quail. Treatment groups as follows: control and 3 and 6 mg/kg inorganic, organic, and plant extract-derived nano-Zn particles to quail diet supplementation. Animals were fed on experimental diets for 6 weeks. Different Zn sources supplemented into quail diets did not significantly affect live weights (P > 0.05). On the other hand, different Zn sources increased egg yields (P < 0.05). Plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations into quail diets increased feed consumption, feed conversion ratio, and egg weights (P < 0.05). However, 6 mg/kg plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations reduced egg weights. Different Zn sources did not have any significant effects on egg yolk weight (g) and egg yolk color L*b* values (P > 0.05). For blood serum parameters, 6 mg/kg plant extract-derived nano-Zn supplementations increased blood serum AST, ALT, and Zn values (P < 0.05). No adverse effect was observed on the measured values in laying Japanese quails. The findings suggest that plant extract-derived nano-Zn particles could reliably be used in quail feeding.
(© 2023 The Authors. Animal Science Journal published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of Japanese Society of Animal Science.)