No abstract

A total of 480 day-old broiler chicks were used in two trials conducted to investigate the performance and lipid contents of blood, liver and kidneys of birds when fed varying levels of palm kernel oil (0% and 2%) and biotin (40, 80, 120, 160, 200 and 240 mcg/kg feed) in a 2 x 6 factorial experimental design. The results showed that blood, liver and kidney lipid concentrations were significantly affected by dietary biotin treatments. While total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol contents were negatively correlated with dietary biotin level, phospholipid concentrations were positively correlated. Biotin-deficient chicks had significantly higher total lipid, free fatty acid, triglyceride and cholesterol but lower phospholipid contents in their blood and the two organs. Supplementation of the diet with 2% palm kernel oil significantly elevated blood phospholipid concentration, but depressed the accumulation of the other lipid fractions in both organs and the blood of birds. Blood, liver and kidney cholesterol concentrations were not affected by 2% fat supplementation. Observation on the lipid parameters coupled with the results on feed utilisation appeared to suggest that a minimum of 120 mcg of the vitamin per kilogram of diet was required by broiler chicks for optimum performance.

No abstract

The thiamine, riboflavin and niacin contents of thirty varieties of cowpeas have been studied. Estimates of the values of these vitamins in the individual varieties have been recorded, and comparative studies of the values show significant differences between the vitamin contents of some varieties. It is also suggested that in reporting experiments, accession numbers be used to identify the varieties of cowpeas in order to avoid possible confusion.

Growth rate of broiler chicks tends to be lower in the tropics than in the temperate zone. Results show that up to 17% of dietary riboflavin is destroyed within 24 hours of exposure of the feed to light hence the level of 3.6 mg. of vitamin B2 recommended does not meet the requirement for growth of broilers. Growth study as well as accumulation of riboflavin in meat and organs of the birds showed that increasing levels of dietary riboflavin increases its deposition in meat and organs of the birds. Optimum growth of birds and storage of riboflavin in the body is attained in the tropical environment when 5.1 mg. of the vitamin is added per kg. of practical ration.