Effect of Echinacea Purpurea Extract Given in Drinking Water on Performance, Slaughter Variables, and Meat Quality of Broilers
Abstract
This study evaluated the effect of Echinacea purpurea extract in drinking water on the growth, slaughter performance and meat quality of broilers. 500 1-day-old broilers were randomly assigned to I) water only, II) 200 mg/L-Astragalus polysaccharide, and III) to V) 100, 200, 600 mg/L-E. purpurea extract, respectively. E. purpurea enhanced average-daily-gain, evisceration-yield rates, the thigh muscle percentages, but reduced feed-to-gain ratios. Percentage of breast muscle was highest (P<0.05) in group IV. At 21-d, E. purpurea increased the lightness (L*) and redness (a*) of breast muscle. At 42-d, the L* of breast muscle was less (P<0.05) in group V than in group II, yellowness (b*) was less (P<0.05) in group V compared with groups II, III and IV, while the a* of thigh muscle was greater in group V (P<0.05) than in groups III and IV. Dry matter content was greater (P<0.05) in group IV than in group I. The drip loss rate of group IV was lower (P<0.05) than groups I and V, and greater (P<0.05) in group V than in group II. E. purpurea (200 mg/L) can be natural alternative additives in drinking water to improve broiler production and meat quality.