Effect of Graded Levels of Dried Orange (Citrus sinensis) Byproducts on Production Efficiency, Blood Parameters and Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Background: Orange wastes are bioactive compounds produced during the industrial transformation.The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of feeding dried sweet orange byproducts (DOP) on broiler growth performance, serum metabolites and antioxidant status. Methods: A total of 200 of 20-day experimental broiler chicks were distributed into a completely randomized design which included 4 dietary treatments with 5 replicates of 10 birds fed each. The dietary treatments included a control diet with no corn substitution and three diets containing 5, 10 and 15 % Dried Orange Pulp. Feed intake (FI), body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), carcass traits, serum components, and blood antioxidant status were measured. Result: FCR and BWG of chickens were improved when using graded levels of DOP compared to the control group (P less than 0.05). Serum total protein and glucose were significantly increased (P less than 0.0001) in DOP groups compared to the control. Serum Cholesterol and triglyceride decreased significantly (P less than 0.0001) in the DOP groups. Higher Aspartate amino transferase, Lactate Dehydrogenase and Creatine Phospho Kinase activities were observed in Control group compared to the other treatments.