Effect of dietary zinc source and method of oral administration on performance and tissue trace mineral concentration of broiler chicks.

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of dietary zinc (Zn) level on growth performance, Zn concentration, Zn metalloenzyme activity, Zn transporter 2 (ZnT2) mRNA abundance, metallothionein (MT) mRNA abundance and MT concentration in either serum or tissues, so as to evaluate the optimal dietary Zn level of broiler chicks fed a corn–soybean meal diet from 22 to 42 days of age. At 22 days of age, 288 birds were assigned randomly by bodyweight to one of eight dietary treatments of six replicate cages each with six birds per cage, and fed a Zn-unsupplemented basal corn–soybean meal diet containing 27.66 mg of Zn/kg or the basal diet supplemented with 20, 40, 60, 80, 100, 120 or 140 mg of Zn/kg from reagent-grade ZnSO4·7H2O. Regression analysis was performed to estimate the optimal dietary Zn level in the presence of asymptotic response. The results showed that dietary Zn level had no effect (P > 0.25) on the growth performance, serum alkaline phosphatase and 5′-nucleotidase activities, and liver copper-Zn superoxide dismutase activity, but affected (P < 0.07) tibia Zn concentration, pancreas Zn concentration, ZnT2 mRNA abundance, MT mRNA abundance and MT concentration. The optimal dietary Zn requirements of broilers from 22 to 42 days of age were 62.44 mg/kg for tibia Zn, 64.30 mg/kg for ZnT2 mRNA abundance and 53.50 mg/kg for MT mRNA abundance based on asymptotic models, respectively. Accordingly, the optimal dietary Zn level for broilers from 22 to 42 days of age was 65 mg/kg in this study.

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Trace Mineral, Qualitative Phytochemical Composition and Antidiabetic Effect of Ethanol Extract of Citrullus lanatus Seeds on Diabetic Rats

Asian Journal of Biotechnology and Bioresource Technology ◽

10.9734/ajb2t/2021/v7i430111 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 77-86

Author(s):

P. N. Okoroh ◽

M. C. Onuigbo ◽

E. U. Godwin-Nwakwasi ◽

O. C. Chukwuka ◽

Ephraim I. Ekanem

Keyword(s):

Cardiac Glycosides ◽

Diabetes Management ◽

Citrullus Lanatus ◽

Ethanol Extract ◽

Spectrophotometric Analysis ◽

Diabetic Rat ◽

Trace Mineral ◽

Mineral Concentration ◽

Antidiabetic Effect ◽

Phytochemical Composition

The trace mineral concentration, phytochemical composition and antidiabetic effect of the ethanol extract of C. lanatus seeds were carried out using standard methods. The preclinical experimental model was 120 mgkg-1 b.w. (via intraperitoneal) Alloxan induced diabetic rat model, with ethanol extract of C. lanatus seeds administered orally at 500mgkg-1 b.w. Qualitative phytochemical screening showed presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids/triterpenoids, tannins, carbohydrates and oils. Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric analysis revealed that iron had the highest value (8.31mgkg-1), followed by zinc (5.78 mgkg-1), then manganese (4.28 mgkg-1). Selenium concentration was appreciable (0.85 mgkg-1). Ethanol extract of C. lanatus seeds significantly (p < 0.05), dose and time dependently reduced blood glucose level, increased body weights of rats and had positive effect on organ weights and organ volume. The results in this study showed that Citrullus lanatus seeds are rich in zinc, selenium, manganese, iron, alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids/triterpenoids, and tannins. They may therefore serve as good sources of these trace mineral nutrients and bio actives for nutritional and medicinal purposes relating to diabetes management.

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