Regression-derived optimal milk thistle in growing quail's diet

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Poultry Science
• Nutraceuticals

Background:

• Milk thistle (Silybum marianum) contains silymarin, a potent antioxidant.
• Quail nutrition can benefit from plant-based additives for improved health and product quality.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the nutritional advantages of incorporating milk thistle into Japanese quail diets.
• To determine the optimal dietary inclusion levels of milk thistle for various physiological and meat quality parameters.

Main Methods:

• 300 Japanese quail chicks were fed diets with 0, 10, 20, 30, or 40 g/kg milk thistle from 14 to 35 days of age.
• Spline and segmented regression models were employed to analyze data and identify optimal inclusion levels.
• Key physiological markers (serum albumin, total protein, glucose) and meat quality indicators (water holding capacity, cooking loss, lipid oxidation) were assessed.

Main Results:

• Optimal milk thistle levels varied for different parameters, ranging from 10.43 g/kg for phosphorus to 33.09 g/kg for malondialdehyde.
• Higher dietary milk thistle levels (e.g., 25.85 g/kg for water holding capacity) were required to optimize meat quality traits.
• Milk thistle supplementation influenced serum biochemical parameters and reduced meat oxidative status.

Conclusions:

• Milk thistle is a beneficial additive for growing quails, impacting both physiological status and meat quality.
• The optimal dietary inclusion rate of milk thistle depends on the specific parameter being optimized.
• Higher milk thistle inclusion rates are recommended for maximizing meat quality attributes in quails.