Evaluation of triphala extract as a feed supplement for enhancing carcass and meat quality traits in japanese quail (coturnix coturnix japonica)

Abstract

This research was conducted to determine the effect of Triphala extract on the growth performance, carcass parameters and meat quality in Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). In this study, 160 growing quail were divided into a control group (without Triphala extract) and treatment groups of four (4 replicates containing 10 quails in each). Commercial feed and the addition of varying concentrations of Triphala extract (TPHE) 0.1 g/kg, 0.2 g/kg, and 0.3 g/kg were used in the study. The feed intake was obtained higher in the TPHE supplemented groups as compare to no additives group (P < 0.05). The TPHE additive affected the live weight gain values during 0 to 6 week of the experiment. Live weight, hot carcass weight, cold carcass weight, carcass yield, and breast meat weight was positively influenced by the supplementation of TPHE as compare to no addition (P<0.05). Breast meat proximate composition data indicated that, DM, CP and ash content was influenced in case of TPHE group as compared to the control group (P < 0.05). Result of storage of breast meat at 4 °C indicated that, the pH and peroxide value was lower in the groups with TPHE as compared to without TPHE (P < 0.05). The performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition and quality parameters were obtained positive with supplementation of 0.2 g/kg and 0.3 g TPHE/kg in case of the Japanese quail. To sum up, Triphala extract could be used in Japanese quail diet to ensure better performance, carcass characteristics, meat composition and quality; and could be suggestive to other poultry species following further detail study.