Potentials of Siam weed (Chromolaena odorata) leaf meal as egg yolk colourant for laying hens

摘要

Afifty-sixdaytrialwasconductedtoinvestigatethepotentialsofChromolaenaodorata(C.O.)leafmealasapossibleeggyolkcolourantanditseffectsonsomeothereggqualitycharacteristics.Chromolaenaodorataleafmealwasincludedintheformulateddietsat0%,2.5%,5%and7.5%levels.nbsp;Thetrialrevealedhighlysignificant(P0.01)differencesamongthetreatmentmeansfortheyolkcolourscore.AtthelowestlevelofChromolaenaodoratainclusion(2,5%),theminimumstandardforyolkpigmentationforindividualconsumersandforthepastryandconfectioneryindustrieswasachieved.Also,thedietaryinclusionofChromolaenaodorataleafmealupto7,5%leveldidnotcompromiseeggweight,shellthickness,shellweight,albumenheightandHaugh#8217;sunit.nbsp;ItcouldbeconcludedthathighprospectsaboundfortheutilizationofCromolaenaodorataasapossibleeggyolkcolourantforlayinghensandthiscouldmarkaturningpointfromthecampaignforitseradicationtoitssubtlecultivation.