Changes in Performance and Apparent Ileal Digestibility of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Electron Irradiated Full- Fat Canola Seed

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of electron-beam irradiation of canola seed on the performance and nutrient digestibility in broiler chickens. In the first experiment, the chemical composition of raw and canola seed electron-beam irradiated at doses of 10, 20, 30, and 40 kilograys (kGy) were characterized in order to determine effective doses. The results indicated that applied doses of electron irradiation had no effect on crude fiber (CF), ash, neutral (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF), crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) content of canola seed (P > 0.05). Irradiation decreased tannin (P = 0.0001) content. The glucosinolate of samples decreased by increasing in irradiation dose (P < 0.05). In the second experiment, 7 dietary treatments included canola seed at levels of 5%, 10%, and 15% (raw and irradiated at 40 kGy) and a control diet were used in a completely randomized design. Birds fed 5% of irradiated canola seed had the highest feed intake during the grower, finisher and total period of experiment (P <0.05). In the starter period, birds fed 10% of irradiated canola seed had the highest body weight gain (BWG) (P < 0.05). Birds that consumed a control diet had the highest BWG compared with the other treatments (P < 0.05) at the total period of experiment. In the starter period, birds consumed control diet, 5%, 10% and 15% of irradiated canola seed had a better feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to those fed raw canola seed (P< 0.05). Apparent ileal digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, and dry matter significantly decreased in birds fed 15% canola seed (raw or irradiated) compared to those fed other treatments (P < 0.05). In conclusion this study showed that if high levels of canola seed are used in the diet (15%), due to the reducing effect on glucosinolate and tannin, and due to the improvement of FCR, especially in the starter period, radiation can be useful.

Keywords: apparent ileal digestibility, canola seed, Electron beam, glucosinolate, Irradiation