Enzimas e ingredientes contendo pigmentos naturais em dietas com arroz integral para codornas japonesas

Abstract

The dehulled and unpolished whole rice is an energetic ingredient and may replace corn in diet formulations. However, its low content of carotene leads to colorless yolk and the amount of anti-nutritional factors may lead to negative digestive effects, including impaired digestion and absorption of nutrients, negatively affecting productive index. A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of dehulled and unpolished whole rice along with natural pigments (alfalfa hay, annatto and sugar beet) and enzymatic complex in the diets of laying quails on performance, egg production and egg quality. Three trials were carried out. First, the effect on egg sensory quality, productive performance and yolk pigmentation was evaluated. The treatments were: T1: diet based on corn and soybean meal; T2: 25% whole rice; T3: 50% whole rice; T4: 75% whole rice; and T5: 100% whole rice in total replacement of corn. Later on, the inclusion of natural pigments to diets and its effects on yolk color was evaluated. Ten treatments were tested: T1: 100% whole rice in full substitution of corn; T2: T1+4% alfalfa hay; T3: T1+8% alfalfa hay; T4: T1+12% alfalfa hay; T5: T1+4% annatto; T6: T1+8% annatto; T7: T1+12% annatto; T8: T1+4% sugar beet; T9: T1+8% sugar beet; and T10: T1+12% sugar beet. At last, the utilization of enzymatic complex in the diets and its effects on productive performance and egg quality was studied. The treatments were: T1: diet based on corn and soybean meal; T2: 25% whole rice; T3: 50% whole rice; T4: 75% whole rice; T5: 100% whole rice in full substitution of corn; T6: diet based on corn and soybean meal plus enzymatic complex (CE); T7: 25% whole rice + CE; T8: 50% whole rice + CE; T9: 75% whole rice + CE; and T10: 100% whole rice in full substitution of corn + CE. The results showed the real possibility of the utilization of whole rice as an ingredient in the diets of Japanese quails because no significant differences were observed among the treatments in comparison to diets with corn. However, supplementation of diets with pigments is needed in order to correct the yolk pigmentation. Yolk color was improved with the addition of alfalfa hay and annatto in the diets. Therefore, they might be used as natural pigments in the diets. Sugar beet, however, did not promote the same effect. The utilization of CE in the diets of Japanese quails increased egg production and egg mass, kept the egg weight constant in all levels of inclusion of whole rice.