Value added by Spirulina platensis in two different diets on growth performance, gut microbiota, and meat quality of Japanese quails

Mohamed S. Yusuf, Marwa A. Hassan, Mohamed M. Abdel-Daim, Adel S. El Nabtiti, Ali Meawad Ahmed, Sherief A. Moawed, Ahmed Kamel El-Sayed, Hengmi Cui*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

25 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Aim: The growth promoting effect of the blue-green filamentous alga Spirulina platensis (SP) was observed on meat type Japanese quail with antibiotic growth promoter alternative and immune enhancing power. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted on 180 Japanese quail chicks for 4 weeks to find out the effect of diet type (vegetarian protein diet [VPD] and fish meal protein diet [FMPD])- Spirulina dose interaction (1 or 2 g/kg diet) on growth performance, gut microbiota, and sensory meat quality of growing Japanese quails (1-5 weeks old). Results: Data revealed improvement (p < 0.05) of weight gain, feed conversion ratio and European efficiency index due to 1, 2 g (SP)/kg VPD, and 2 g (SP)/kg FMPD, respectively. There was a significant decrease of ileum mean pH value by 1 g (SP)/kg VPD. Concerning gut microbiota, there was a trend toward an increase in Lactobacilli count in both 1; 2 g (SP)/kg VPD and 2 g (SP)/kg FMPD. It was concluded that 1 or 2 g (SP)/kg vegetarian diet may enhance parameters of performance without obvious effect on both meat quality and gut microbiota. Moreover, 1 and/or 2 g (SP) may not be invited to share fish meal based diet for growing Japanese quails. Conclusion: Using of SP will support the profitable production of Japanese quails fed vegetable protein diet.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1287-1293
Number of pages7
JournalVeterinary World
Volume9
Issue number11
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Isocaloric
  • Isonitrogenous
  • Meat quality
  • Performances
  • Quails
  • Spirulina

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