Utilization of guava extract as additive antioxidant in diets of Japanese quail breeders (Coturnix japonica)

SUMMARY The aim of this study was to evaluate the guava extract as an antioxidant additive in diets of Japanese quail breeders on the performance and egg’s quality. The experiment was conducted at University Federal of Goias. A total of 384 Japanese quail breeders were used, distributed in four treatments, with six replicates, with a total of 12 females and four males in each replicate. The treatments were performed with four levels of guava extract in the diets (0.0%, 0.3%, 0.6% and 0.9%). The guava extract contained the ellagic acid, considered the guava antioxidant active principle. The diets were isonutritive. Feed and water were offered ad libitum. The experimental period was 84 days. Egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio, egg mass, body weight variation and egg quality were evaluated. The results were submitted to analysis of variance and regression analysis. The adopted probability was 5%. Egg production, feed intake, feed conversion ratio and egg mass were not influenced by the use of guava extract. The yolk and albumen height, the Haugh Unit and the yolk and albumen index decreased linearly as the levels of guava extract in the diet increased. The diameter of the albumen was higher with the use of 0.48% of guava extract in the diet. The yolk color was affected by the guava extract, presenting a darker color with 0.50% of guava extract in the diet. It was concluded that the guava extract used as an antioxidant additive does not improve the performance and egg quality of Japanese quails.