ABSTRACT
Objective: To evaluate and compare the antioxidant activity, total phenolic contents (TPCs) and in vitro antidiabetic activity of various pits extracts obtained from five Omani date cultivars. Methods: Sun-dried mature fruits of five Omani date varieties, namely, Fardh, Naghal, Khalas, Khinazi and Khasab were purchased from the local market in Muscat, Oman in the month of September 2014. Four seed extracts viz. water, ethanol, methanol and acetone were prepared for each date variety and their antioxidant activities were investigated by 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl, hydrogen peroxide scavenging method and reducing power assay method, respectively. In vitro antidiabetic activity of the date pit extracts was evaluated by measuring their inhibitory effect on α-glucosidase and α-amylase level. TPCs were also quantified colorimetrically. Results: The results indicated that TPC of date seeds was solvent dependent. Acetone, ethanol and methanol were found to be significantly better solvents than water in extracting phenolic compounds from the date seeds. Pit extracts exhibited moderate to good in vitro antioxidant activity and increased reducing power. Among all date pit extracts, water extract exhibited significant in vitro antidiabetic activity in comparison to standard drug, acarbose. Conclusions: The present study confirms that disposed waste of Omani dates is a rich source of dietary antioxidant because of its high TPC. The pits due to their inhibitory effects on α-glucosidase and α-amylase level could be used as a monotherapy along with an appropriate diabetic diet and exercise or might be in conjunction with antidiabetic therapy to manage and prevent progression of diabetes.
ABSTRACT
Aims: This study was conducted to evaluate effects of phytase (E) supplementation of low phosphorous diets (NPP) included olive pulp (OP) and date pits (DP) on performance of laying hens, egg quality traits, blood parameters and excreta pH of laying hens. Study Design: Data were analyzed based on 2×2×2 factorial arrangements in completely randomized design using GLM procedure of SAS. Place and Duration of Study: The present experiment was done in Animal Science Department of Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. All procedures used in this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Razi University and complied with the "Guidelines for the Care and Use of Animals in Research". Methodology: A total number of 288 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens was randomly divided in 48 cages (n=6). Based on a 2×2×2 factorial arrangement of treatments, 8 iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets (ME =2720 Kcal/Kg and CP=150 g/Kg) consisting of two levels of date pits and olive pulp (0, and 90 g/kg), two levels of dietary non-phytate phosphorus (NPP: 2.6 and 3.3 g/kg diet) and phytase (0 and 150 FTU/kg) were formulated. Hens in every randomly-selected six cages (replicates) allotted to feed on each of 8 experimental diets. Results: Dietary treatment did not have significant effect on egg production (EP) and feed intake (FI). Phytase numerically increased egg mass (EM) compared to control diets. Dietary inclusion of date pits and olive pulp significantly affected feed conversion ratio (FCR). Yolk index and Haugh unit were not significantly affected by dietary treatment (P>0.05). Diet inclusion of olive pulp and date pits numerically decreased eggshell weight and thickness in the first egg sampling (wk 3) in compared to control diet (P=.05). In the second egg sampling (wk 7), egg index, yolk index, Haugh unit, egg gravity and eggshell thickness were not significantly affected by dietary treatment. Dietary treatment did not have significant effect on blood parameters except for monocyte, so that a significant interaction between DO, P and E (p=0.01) was detected. Dietary treatment did not have significant effect on body weight changes (BWC) and excreta pH. Conclusion: From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that DP and OP can be included in diet of laying hens up to 9% with no adverse effect on birds' performance. However, diet inclusion of DP and OP has some adverse effects on egg yolk color and eggshell weight.
ABSTRACT
A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary inclusion of ground pits of date palm (DP) (Phoenix dactylifera) supplementing with a commercial probiotic mixture (Yeasture®) on the performance, egg quality characteristics, blood parameters, and excreta pH of laying hens. A total of 144 Lohmann LSL-Lite laying hens were randomly divided in 24 cages. Based on a 3×2 factorial arrangement of treatments in a completely randomized design with four replicates, 6 iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets (ME=2720 kcal/kg and CP=150 g/kg) including: I-corn-soybean meal-based control- 1 diet, II-corn-soybean meal-oil-based control-2 diet, and III-corn-soybean meal-based diet included 210 g/kg DP with or without probiotic (0.0 and 0.05 g/kg) were formulated. Dietary treatment had no significant effect on feed intake, feed conversion ratio and body weight as well as egg production and egg mass (P>.05). Probiotic supplementation did not significantly affect laying performance. In the first egg sampling (wk3) egg index, Haugh unit, egg gravity, and egg abnormality were not significantly affected by dietary treatments (P>.05). Shell weight and shell thickness were decreased by diet inclusion of DP (P=.05). Dietary treatment did not have significant effect on blood parameters except for triglycerides and high density lipoprotein (HDL) contents which was increased by adding probiotic to diet in compared to the control groups (P=.05). Dietary combination of DP and probiotic significantly decreased excreta pH in compared to other groups (P=.05). From the results of the present study, it can be concluded that DP can be included in diets of laying hens up to 21% with no substantial adverse effect on their performance and egg quality traits.