Journal of Agriculture, Food and Environment | ISSN (Online Version): 2708-5694

Orboroi (Phyllanthus acidus) leaf powder: An alternative to antibiotic supplements for the growth of broiler chickens

Fouzder SK, Rahman MH — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Phyllanthus acidus leaf powder (PALP) administered through drinking water as an alternative to antibiotics for improving growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass characteristics in broiler chicks. A total of 120 day-old Indian River broiler chicks were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments, with three replications per treatment. The control group (T1) received a basal diet, while groups T2, T3, and T4 received 0.1 g/L of renamycin (antibiotic), 1.5 g/L PALP, and 3 g/L PALP, respectively. Body weight, drumstick size, bursa weight, serum lipid profile, and hematological parameters were recorded on days 21 and 35, while body weight was monitored weekly. The results showed that both body weight and weight gain significantly increased (p<0.05) in the 3 g/L PALP group compared to the control. The outcomes of the 1.5 g/L PALP and antibiotic-treated groups were comparable. Feed conversion ratio was significantly improved (p<0.05) in the 3 g/L PALP group compared to the control and antibiotic groups, although the control and antibiotic groups had higher feed intake. No significant differences (p>0.05) were observed in dressing percentage among the dietary treatments. However, 3 g/L PALP group exhibited a significantly lower (p<0.01) bursa weight compared to the other groups. Additionally, the serum lipid profile (p<0.05) and serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase levels (p<0.01) showed significantly favorable results in 3 and 5-week-old broilers treated with 3 g/L PALP. Overall, 3 g/L PALP treatment revealed the most beneficial effects and resulted in the highest profit per bird.

Development and evaluation of shelf-stable meat pickles from spent hen and duck meat

Rahman MH — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study evaluated the sensory, physicochemical, biochemical, and microbiological stability of spent hen and duck meat pickles over 90 days at room temperature. Sensory attributes showed a slight but insignificant decline over time, confirming acceptability of the pickles throughout storage period. pH decreased significantly (p<0.05) but remained below 5.0, ensuring pickle stability. Water activity values (0.93-0.96 aw) exhibited a slight, statistically insignificant decline and titratable acidity increased slightly, influenced by acetic acid concentration, supporting prolonged shelf life of the pickles. The thiobarbituric acid (TBA) values rose significantly (p<0.05), indicating progressive lipid oxidation, though remaining within acceptable limits. Microbiological analysis confirmed a significant (p<0.05) increase in total viable counts, yeast, and mold, but all remained within acceptable limits. Pathogenic bacteria were absent, likely due to low water activity, antimicrobial effects of vinegar as well as hygienic processing and optimal cooking conditions. The findings suggest that pickles prepared with aged hen and duck meat remain microbiologically safe, organoleptically and physiochemically satisfactory for up to 90 days when store at room temperature.

Unlocking the nutritional secrets of Bangladesh's three popular chicken genotypes: A comprehensive analysis of proximate composition, fatty acid profile and mineral content of meat

Debnath S — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Poultry provides protein and nutrients for health and food security. This research examined the proximate composition, fatty acids, and minerals in meat from Bangladeshi broiler, layer, and Sonali chickens. Birds were reared on commercial farms where conditions were carefully controlled and massacred at their usual market ages. Significant differences were observed in the biochemical properties, fatty acid, and mineral content of breast and thigh meat, regardless of chicken type. Layer and Sonali chicken breast had higher protein and lower lipids than broiler. In terms of nutritional properties, Sonali breast meat contained notably higher proportions of UFA (72.51%) and a lower amount of SFA (26.99%) than the other two breeds. Additionally, Sonali exhibited significantly higher proportions of DFA, EFA, PUFA/SFA ratios and (18:0 + 18:1)/16:0 ratios. Moreover, among all breeds, layer chickens exhibited the highest levels of potassium. The breast meat of broilers and the thigh meat of layers contained the highest amounts of calcium, at 44.12 and 53.09 mg/100 g, respectively. Sonali breast meat and layer thigh meat had lower sodium levels at 56.08 and 59.75 mg/100 g, respectively. Sonali chicken breast and broiler thigh contained high magnesium (76.04 and 73.39 mg/100 g). In summary, Sonali chicken meat has special qualities and is better than regular broilers and layers. Layers are rich in potassium and calcium, while broilers have higher magnesium. So, Sonali chicken is more nutritious and safer to eat.

Effects of cricket (Orthoptera: Gryllidae) frass on growth and nutrient content of the plant Commelina petersii Hassk

Irakiza R — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Cricket frass, the excrement produced by crickets, is a natural waste of insect farming that offers a sustainable and cost-effective alternative to synthetic fertilizers for resource-limited farmers. This study investigated the effects of different cricket frass treatments on the growth and nutrient content of Commelina petersii, a valuable plant species for cricket insect rearing. Plants were grown in pot and field experiments with different cricket frass application rates—T1 (0 t ha-1), T2 (5 t ha-1), T3 (10 t ha-1), and T4 (15 t ha-1) in completely randomized and randomized complete block designs, respectively. Plant growth parameters (height, number of leaves, and biomass) and leaf nutrient concentrations were assessed. Results from both pot and field experiments demonstrated that cricket frass significantly enhanced C. petersii growth, with higher application rates leading to increased plant height and biomass. While the effect on number of leaves was less consistent, some positive impacts were noted. Nutrient analysis revealed that cricket frass led to higher dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and calcium (Ca) content in the leaves, conversely decreasing nitrogen-free extract (NFE) content with increasing application rates. The optimal treatment of cricket frass for C. petersii was found to be T4. This treatment not only supplied sufficient essential nutrients but also preserved acceptable forage quality. Therefore, these results strongly suggest that cricket frass represents a sustainable fertilizer with the capacity to boost C. petersii cultivation while simultaneously fostering cricket farming in resource-scarce areas.

Biosynthesis of Ag, Fe₂O₃, and hybrid Ag/Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles using clove (Syzygium aromaticum): A study on phytochemicals, antioxidant capacity, and antibacterial properties

El-Khateeb AY — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

In this work, the green synthesis of silver (Ag), iron oxide (Fe2O3), and Ag/Fe2O3 nanoparticles (NPs) was performed from the use of clove (Syzygium aromaticum) extract as a natural bioreducing and stabilizing agent. The rich content of clove extract by phytochemical components enables the successful transformation of metal ions into metal/metal oxide nanoparticles. The morphology characterization, functional groups, optical properties, and stability of the synthesized nanoparticles were investigated. The extract was recovered in part in the nanomaterials as revealed by phytochemical analysis, which detected phenolics (320.614 mg GAE/g), flavonoids (46.455 mg CE/g), and tannins (10.144 mg TAE/g). DPPH antioxidant activity showed strong radical scavenging capacity, showing an IC50 of 0.0098 from Ag/Fe2O3 NPs. This was almost equal to clove extract (0.0097 mg/mL) and far better than control ascorbic acid (0.0222 mg/mL). The antibacterial activity was found to be true against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ag/Fe2O3 NPs exhibited the widest spectrum and the greatest inhibition zones, largely against S. aureus (21±1.41 mm), K. pneumoniae (20±1.16 mm), and S. typhimurium (19±1.57 mm), as effective as or better than Azithromycin. The deposited results indicate that S. aromaticum is a potential in situ bioresource for multifaceted nanoparticle synthesis with high antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

Evaluation of brown rice's nutritional, functional and pasting qualities in relation to variety and germination time

Omohimi CI — Mon, 30 Jun 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This investigation evaluated how nutritional composition and techno-functional qualities of three brown rice varieties were affected by varying time of germination and variety. FARO 44, Ofada and Igbemo rice varieties were germinated at room temperature between 12 and 72 hours. Changes in proximate, minerals and B vitamins composition, functional and pasting characteristics of the germinated rice samples were examined. Pronounced change in proximate composition of the GBR samples occurred between 36 h and 48 h, except for carbohydrate. Germination positively enhanced all the minerals analysed, with peak values (P - 361.67 mg/100g; K - 403.41 mg/100g; Na - 444.09 mg/100g; Ca - 410.19 mg/100g; Mg - 452.08 mg/100g; Mn - 0.26 V; Cu - 0.11 V; Fe - 2.67 mg/100g; Zn - 0.33 mg/100g) noted between 60 h and 72 h. FARO 44 however gave the highest values. Highest increase in Vit B1 was observed at 48 h in Ofada (0.23 mg/100g) but between 60 h and 72 h for B2 (0.80 mg/100g) and B3 (0.27 mg/100g) in Igbemo variety. A decrease in all the viscosity parameters was observed in FARO 44 with longer time in germination, while Ofada rice substantially (p<0.05) rose at 48 h. Peak increase in bulk density (0.77-0.99), foaming capacity (1.41-3.31%), oil (68.67-94.31%) and water (85.0-179.33%) absorption capacities occurred at 36 h for both FARO 44 and Igbemo varieties while that of Ofada occurred between 48 h and 60 h of germination. Prolonged germination time enhanced the nutritional composition of the GBR samples.