Abstract A total of 375 un-sexed Japanese quail ( Coturnix coturnix japonica ) chicks, 5 days-old were randomly allotted to 5 experimental groups to examine the effect of the inclusion of rice gluten meal (RGM) at levels of 2.5 and 5% and supplementation of betaine at levels of 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg diet on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, hematology, serum biochemistry and gastrointestinal tract microbiota of growing Japanese quail under summer season. Quails were fed a basal diet and the other four diets contained 2.5 and 5% RGM with 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine supplementation. The results revealed quails fed 5%RGM + 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine achieved the highest (P &lt; 0.05) body weight at 5 weeks of age, quails fed 5%RGM + 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine recorded the highest (P &lt; 0.05) body weight gain at 1–5 weeks of age. Quails fed 5%RGM + 1.0 g betaine improved (P &lt; 0.05) DFI at all periods. 5%RGM + 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine groups recorded the best FCR at 1–5 weeks of age. RGM and betaine improved CP and EE digestibilities. RGM and betaine was lower (P &lt; 0.05) in abdominal fat. Quails fed 5%RGM + 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine increased (P &lt; 0.05) WBC count. HB level of the quails group fed diet contained 5%RGM + 0.5 or 1.0 g betaine was higher (P &lt; 0.05). Betaine supplementation increased (P &lt; 0.05) the lactic acid bacteria count and decreased (P &lt; 0.05) E-coli and coliform counts. In conclusion, the combination of RGM and betaine could maintain the growth performance, intestinal health and improve nutrients digestibility of Japanese quails during summer season. 

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Growth performance, nutrients digestibility, carcass characteristics, hematology and serum biochemistry of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) fed diets containing rice gluten meal and betaine supplementation during summer season

Diversification and expansion of the poultry industry with fast-growing and highly prolific birds such as the quail (Coturnix coturnix), could contribute significantly in achieving global food and nutrition security. However, sustainable intensification of the quail relies on the cost of dietary ingredients used during feed formulations. The use of non-conventional energy sources such as sorghum, millet, and cassava in lieu of expensive energy sources such as maize, could ensure sustainable quail businesses. Generally, alternative feedstuffs should be cost-effective and possess comparable nutritional qualities as maize. In tropical countries such as South Africa, the use of sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets can serve as ideal alternatives because they have relatively comparable energy values as maize. Furthermore, these alternatives are largely available and easily accessible in many farming areas of South Africa. However, the presence of antinutritional factors such as tannins, cyanides and phytic acid, among others, as well as their high fiber levels may limit their utilization in quail nutrition. Nevertheless, attempts have been made to develop improved varieties with low antinutrient compositions, for instance, low-tannin sorghum varieties are increasingly being fed to poultry birds. Furthermore, there is growing evidence that certain processing techniques such as sun-drying, soaking, boiling and fermentation, among others, can lower the concentrations of antinutrients in these alternative feedstuffs, thus increasing their feeding value. To this end, nutritional feeding trials on the positive effects of sorghum, millet and cassava in quail nutrition are inconsistent, mainly due to differences in cultivar type, harvesting site or environmental conditions, sampling, and handling methods amongst other factors. Thus, the present review aimed to discuss the potential of substituting maize with sorghum, millet, and cassava in quail diets.

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Sorghum, millet and cassava as alternative dietary energy sources for sustainable quail production – A review

Background and Aim: The Vernonia amygdalina Del. leaf extract (VALE) contains several natural antioxidants, including flavonoids, which effectively ameliorate cholesterol levels while improving quail carcass traits and meat quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of VALE on Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) carcass traits and meat. Materials and Methods: In total, 260 Japanese quails (aged 5 weeks and body weight = 129.1 ± 2.2 g) were raised in an open-sided house and randomized to four VALE treatments: T0: Control, T1: 10 mL/L, T2: 20 mL/L, and T3: 10 mL/L in drinking water. After 12 weeks, carcass traits and chemical and physical meat qualities were evaluated. Results: Vernonia amygdalina leaf extract in drinking water exerted significant effects (p < 0.05) on carcass weight, cholesterol levels, and meat water holding capacity (WHC) without significantly affecting carcass and non-carcass percentages, moisture, protein, fat, and meat color qualities. The highest carcass weights and lowest cholesterol levels were identified in the T2 group, while WHC improved in the T3. Conclusion: Thus, VALE supplementation (20 mL/L) to quails improved carcass traits, especially cholesterol levels and carcass weights.

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African leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) extracts improve Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) carcass traits

Aim Thus, the aim of this study was to answer three scientific questions: (1) Are the protein content and amino acid profile of dried salted cod influenced by species (Gadus morhua and Gadus macrocephalus)? (2) Are the protein content and amino acid profile of dried salted cod influenced by the geographical area of capture (Iceland and Norway)? and (3) Does the amino acid profile have the potential to be used as a discriminator of species and geographical areas of capture? Methods A total of 45 dried salted cods (2–3 kg of dry weight; n = 15 samples/origin) were used in this study. The Atlantic cod was fished in the Atlantic northeast (FAO 27 area) within the Exclusive Economic zones (EEZ) of Norway (n = 15) and Iceland (n = 15), while the Pacific cod was caught in the Pacific northeast (FAO 67 area) within the Alaska EEZ (n = 15). Total protein content was determined by the Kjeldahl method, in accordance with the AOAC procedures. The amino acid profile was analyzed by HPLC with fluorescence detection (at excitation and emission wavelengths of 338 and 425 nm, respectively). Results The Atlantic cod presented higher contents of total protein (33.90 versus 33.10 g/100 g of cod edible portion; p = 0.017) and total amino acid contents (32.52 versus 32.04 g/100 g of cod edible portion; p = 0.015) but displayed lower percentage of indispensable amino acids (32.16 versus 32.83 g/100 g of protein; p < 0.001) than Pacific cod. Among the Atlantic cod harvesting locations, the Norwegian cod displayed higher total amino acid contents (96.91 versus 96.81 g/100 g of protein; p = 0.012) and higher percentage of indispensable amino acids (35.38 versus 28.94 g/100 g of protein; p = 0.042) than the Icelandic counterpart. A correct classification of 100% was obtained for the Pacific and Icelandic cod varieties, but the classification accuracy in the Norwegian cod was of just 86.67%, since 2 samples out of 15 were incorrectly classified as Icelandic. Conclusion The comparison of cod species showed that the Atlantic cod had a significantly lower EAAI than the Pacific cod (p < 0.001; 88.23 versus 88.61). On the other hand, the comparison of the two origins in the Atlantic cod, showed that Norwegian cod displayed a significantly higher EAAI than the Icelandic cod (99.15 versus 77.32). The assessment of the EAAI allows the classification of the protein’s nutritional quality, allowing us to classify both cod species as a good protein source to human diet. However, within the Atlantic cod, the Norwegian cod’s protein is classified as high quality, while the Icelandic cod attain the classification of useful quality. Regarding the amino acid profile discriminatory potential to classify cod samples. The results show that the AA profile has 100% accuracy in the separation of cod species, but was not globally efficient in the differentiation of the Norwegian from the Icelandic cod.

https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnut.2023.1144713/pdf

Evaluating dried salted cod amino acid signature for nutritional quality assessment and discriminant analysis

The composition of the lipid, protein and mineral fractions of quail breast meat obtained from wild and farmed specimens of Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and farmed Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica domestica).

A. Parada

Papers

The composition of the lipid, protein and mineral fractions of quail breast meat obtained from wild and farmed specimens of Common quail (Coturnix coturnix) and farmed Japanese quail (Coturnix japonica domestica).