Comparative effects of Chinese green tea ( Camellia sinensis ) extract and powder as feed supplements for broiler chickens

摘要

The comparative effects of green tea extract (GTE) and powder (GTP) on performance of broilers were studied. A total of 405-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly assigned to 9 groups containing 3 replicates of 15 chicks each. The treatments consisted of a control and diets supplemented with 4 levels (10, 20, 30 and 40 g/kg) of GTP and GTE. Feed intake and body weight gain were suppressed ( P ?.05) by GTP supplementation ( P ?.05). The best feed conversion ratio was observed on the GTE supplemented group. The highest mortality rate was recorded on the control and the lowest on the GTP groups ( P ?.05). The best economic index was achieved with GTE supplementation of the diet ( P ?.05). Relative weights of carcass, breast and drumstick were significantly reduced on GTP compared to GTE ( P ?.05). GTE up to 40 g/kg diet will maintain growth and feed utilization but inclusion of the powder even as low as 10 g/kg the diet may compromise feed intake, growth performance and carcass traits. Differences in the polyphenol content of the extract (10.2%) and powder (14.9%) may be reasons these performance results. Further studies on green tea source and method of processing are recommended.