The Effects of Black Mulberry (Morus nigra L.) Leaf Powder on Performance, Egg Quality, Egg Antioxidant Capacity, and Yolk Cholesterol Levels in Laying Hens

Abstract

Different antioxidant substances are supplemented to prevent oxidative stress and improve egg quality in poultry nutrition. It is known that synthetic antioxidants negatively affect human health. Therefore, natural antioxidants are often investigated. In this study, the possibilities of using different levels of black mulberry (Morus nigra L.) leaf powder (BML) in laying hens were examined. For this purpose, 3 groups were formed, 24 in each group, and a total of 72 hens (35 weeks-old, Brown Nick) were distributed to individual cages. The control group (BML-0) was fed using a basal diet. Experimental groups were fed using 0.3 and 0.6 g/kg BML supplementation to the basal diet, respectively. Performance, egg quality characteristics, yolk TBARS (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances), DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl), and cholesterol levels were evaluated in the trial, which lasted for a total of 9 weeks, one week of which was the acclimatization period. There was no statistically significant difference between the groups in terms of performance, egg quality characteristics, and DPPH reducing % in yolk (P>0.05). Yolk TBARS and cholesterol levels were significantly affected from supplemented-BML diet (P<0.05). It was determined that the cholesterol level of yolk decreased linearly with the addition of BML (P<0.05). It was determined that the BML addition delayed lipid oxidation due to decreased TBARS value in the yolk. As a result, it was determined that black mulberry leaves can be used to obtain low-cholesterol eggs and delay lipid oxidation without negatively affecting performance parameters in laying hens. It is thought that it will be useful to reveal the effects of black mulberry leaf on different parameters in future studies.