Feeding value of detoxified (ammonia treated and roasted) simaruba (Simarouba glauca) oilcake in broilers

Abstract

Simaruba (Simarouba glauca) oilcake (SOC) is very rich in crude protein (50–60% on DM). Presence of bitter toxic quassinoids makes it unsuitable for livestock and poultry feeding. Ammonia treatment followed by roasting is found to be a suitable method for partial detoxification of a oilcake. Two experiments were conducted in the present study to find out the ME of ammonia treated and roasted simaruba oilcake (DSOC) and ascertain the safe level of inclusion of SOC in the broiler diet. The apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and nitrogen corrected apparent metabolizable energy (AMEn) of DSOC were 1863 and 1 771 kcal/kg in broilers. DSOC was fed to broilers at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% level in the diet. The average sixth week body weight of birds in T1 (control), T2 (2.5% DSOC), T3 (5% DSOC), T4 (7.5% DSOC) and T5 (10% DSOC) were 1 959, 1845, 1 833, 1836 and 1658 g, respectively. There was no significant difference in the sixth week body weight of the control, 2.5, 5 and 7.5% DSOC fed groups. The serum biochemical parameters such as serum protein, albumin, globulin, serum urea nitrogen as well as serum uric acid values were significantly lower at 10% DSOC level. There was gradual increase of ASAT activity, ALAT activity and ALP activity with the increase in DSOC level in the diet. The birds fed 10% DSOC showed marked degenerative changes in the liver, kidney and intestine, whereas such organs of birds fed low level of DSOC were apparently free from such degenerative changes. Feeding DSOC, which replaced traditional high cost protein supplements like GNOC and soyaben oil meal reduced the cost of broiler production. The cost of production for kg live weight was Rs 27.01, 26.82, 26.74, 26.27 and 28.98, respectively, for 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10% DSOC fed groups. There was a gradual reduction in cost of production with the increased level of inclusion of DSOC in the diets and the reduction in the cost of production over control was the highest (Rs 0.74/ kg live weight) in 7.5% DSOC fed group. From the results of the present investigation it is concluded that ammonia treated and roasted SOC can be incorporated in the broiler diet up to a level of 7.5% without any harmful effect.