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Evaluation of Yucca Saponin on Broiler Performance and Ammonia Suppression1
Evaluation of Yucca Saponin on Broiler Performance and Ammonia Suppression1 N. L. JOHNSTON, C. L. QUARLES, D. J. FAGERBERG, and D. D. CAVENY
Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 (Received for publication July 18, 1980)
1981 Poultry Science 60:2289-2292 INTRODUCTION DSS40 yucca saponin, described by Greer (1980), is a natural plant product prepared by drying and pulverizing the stems of Yucca schidigera. Thirty-five percent of DSS40 is organic material and the remaining 65% is inert carrier. Approximately 1 to 1.5% of the total product is the active steroid saponin. The plant extract contains several steroid saponins of which sarsaponin is the predominant member. Guens (1978) reported that steroid saponins play an active role in plant metabolism and growth. In an autofermentation study (Anonymous, 1974) water polluted with rabbit feed pellets and treated with steroid saponins resulted in the following effects when compared to an untreated control: a) the microbial populations proliferated faster, b) aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic forms were all stimulated about the same, c) malodors were reduced significantly, and d) fermentation was completed faster and dissolved oxygen returned to the solution sooner. Peekstock (1979) demonstrated that sarsaponin treatment resulted in more rapid recovery to a normal functioning condition when stresses were imposed upon waste digestion units (i.e., pH shock). However, sarsaponin had no effect on routine digestive performance in the absence of stress after
1 Supported by the Colorado State University Experiment Station and published as Scientific Series Paper No. 2568.
acclimation to the sarsaponin. Goodall and Matsushima (1978) found that sarsaponin imporved both rate of gain and feed efficiency in feedlot cattle that did not receive anabolic steroids or any other feed additives (i.e., Rumensin® and/or antibiotics). In another cattle trial designed to determine the effects of sarsaponin when used in conjunction with Rumensin® and Synovex®, Goodall et al. (1979) found that: 1) sarsaponin plus Rumensin® improved feed efficiency (P«.05) to a greater extent than either sarsaponin or Rumensin® alone; 2) sarsaponin-fed cattle consumed more feed (P<.05) during the first 6 weeks of the study than any other treatment, and the sarsaponin plus Rumensin®-fed cattle consumed the least feed (P«.05); 3) during the last 9 weeks of the study, there were significant improvements in average daily gain and feed efficiency for all treatments compared to controls; and 4) liver abscess incidence was decreased (P<.05) for both sarsaponin treatments. The objectives of this study were to determine if yucca saponin would effectively suppress ammonia release from poultry manure and to evaluate its effects on broiler performance. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A total of 768 one-day-old commercial broiler male chicks was randomly assigned to 12 controlled environmental chambers (1.83 m X 3.05 m). There were two treatments with six replications. Litter consisted of clean pine wood shavings at a depth of 10 cm.
2289
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
ABSTRACT DSS40 yucca saponin was fed at 63 ppm (approximately .9 ppm active steroid saponin) in an experiment using 768 commercial male broilers to evaluate its effects on broiler performance and suppression of ammonia release from poultry manure. Broilers receiving yucca saponin were significantly heavier than controls at 28 and 51 days of age. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency, mortality, shank pigmentation, or ammonia levels. (Key words: yucca, saponin, broiler, ammonia, manure)
2290
JOHNSTON ET AL. TABLE 1. Composition and calculated analysis of the complete diets1 Percent of diet
Ingredient
Calculated analysis Protein, % ME kcal/kg Calcium % Available phosphorus % Lysine % Methionine % 1
47.68 33.27 7.45 7.00 2.00 1.25 .66 .40 .15 .09 .05 100.00 23.5 3200 1.0 .45 1.3 .45
Finisher 57.21 24.72 7.00 7.00 2.00 r.25 .20 .40 .15 .07 .05 100.00
20.6 3288 1.0 .4 1.1 .4
DSS40 added to test ration at rate of 63 ppm.
2
Vitamin-mineral premix supplies per kilogram: Vitamin A, 10560 IU; vitamin D 3 , 3520 ICU; vitamin E, 4.4 IU; vitamin K, 1.54 mg; riboflavin, 5.28 mg; d-pantothenic acid, 8.10 mg; niacin, 35.2 mg; vitamin B 1 2 , 13.2 Mg; choline, 495 mg; folic acid, .88 mg; ethoxyquin, 44 mg; Mn, 209 ppm; Zn, 176 ppm; Fe, 110 ppm; Cu, 15.4 ppm; Co, 1.76 ppm; I, 3.52 ppm.
Initially, feed was placed in feeder lids, and after 5 days the feed was placed in cone-type feeders. Each pen had a suspended, weight activated automatic waterer. Light was provided 24 hr a day with approximately .093 lx intensity at bird level. Broilers received a crumbled starter ration (Table 1) 1 to 28 days of age, then a pelleted finisher ration 29-51 days of age. Test ration was the same as control except for the addition of yucca saponin. Ammonia levels were measured with a Kitawara Precision Gas Detector 2 utilizing low-range ammonia detector tubes 3 . Ammonia sampling was conducted each day at approximately the same time and location within each pen. Samples were taken at approximately 2 cm above the litter half-way between the waterer and feeder.
2 Kitawara Precision Gas Detector, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Emmas, PA. 'Tubes, Scientific Industries, Boulder, CO.
All birds were weighed by pen at 28 and 51 days of age and feed was weighed back to determine feed efficiency. Percent mortality was recorded at 28 and 51 days of age. Shank pigmentation scores were determined at 51 days of age with a Roche Yolk Color Fan on 5 males randomly selected from each pen. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance package (one-way design). Tukey's test (Steel and Torrie, 1960) was used to test for significant differences within each parameter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
At 28 days of age, broilers receiving yucca saponin were significantly (P«.05) heavier than control broilers with average weights of 747 g and 724 g, respectively (Table 2). There was no significant difference in feed conversion between treated and control broilers with means of 1.47 for treated and 1.49 for control birds (Table 2). The significantly heavier weights of the
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
Corn Soybean oil meal (44%) Vegetable oil Meat and bone meal (50%) Brewer's dried yeast Alfalfa meal, dehydrated (17%) Limestone Vitamin-mineral premix 2 Sodium chloride Methionine hydroxy analog Amprolium (25%)
Starter
EVALUATION OF YUCCA SAPONIN
2291
TABLE 2. Summary of 28-day broiler performance as influenced by yucca saponin1
Ration
Number started
Percent mortality
Body weight (g)
Feed efficiency
Test Control
381 384
6.3 a 11.7 a
747a 724b
1.47a 1.49 a
a,b Means within columns with the same superscripts are not significantly different (P>.05). Each ration fed to 6 replicate groups.
By calculation, the diet could contain from .12 to .21% sodium. DSS40 yucca saponin contains only trace amounts of sodium, however, and would contribute very little to the sodium content of the diet. Even if the diet is only .12% sodium and if the DSS40 were concentrated with sodium, it could only raise the sodium to .126% and is thus not an explanation for the growth response. There were no significant differences in ammonia levels between treated and control broilers. Broilers receiving yucca saponin averaged 2.9 ppm ammonia and control broilers 1.6 ppm ammonia for the experimental period. Table 4 shows 43 to 50 day and overall averages for each pen and treatment. No ammonia could be detected for the first 18 days. Ammonia levels then increased with the highest levels detected at the end of the experiment. Peekstock (1979) demonstrated that yucca saponins have their greatest effect on bacteria that exist under less than optimal conditions. Since there were no significant differences in ammonia levels, possibly the bacteria in the gut and feces of the birds were not under enough stress for yucca saponins to have any effect.
TABLE 3. Summary of 51-day broiler performance as influenced by yucca saponin'
Ration
Number started
Percent mortality
Body weight (g)
Feed efficiency
Test Control
381 384
9.0 a 14.8 a
2135 a 2070b
1.83 a 1.89 a
a 1
' Means within columns with the same superscripts are not significantly different (P>.05). Each ration fed to 6 replicate groups.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
treatment broilers at 28 days of age indicate that yucca saponin may be affecting weight gain early in the broiler's life. At 51 days of age also, broilers which received yucca saponin were significantly (P«.01) heavier than control broilers. Test broilers averaged 2135 g and controls averaged 2070 g (Table 3). There were no significant differences in feed efficiency between treatment and control broilers with means of 1.83 and 1.89, respectively (Table 3). There were no significant differences in mortality and shank pigmentation scores. The broilers receiving yucca saponin increased their weight advantage even more at 51 days than at 28 days of age, indicating the effect in the digestive tract was probably continuous throughout growout. Yucca saponins, because of their chemical structure, cannot be absorbed across the epithelial membrane of the digestive tract (Greer, 1980); therefore, they must be influencing digestion within the lumen of the digestive tract. Since saponins have surfactant properties, they might be conditioning the cell membranes and reducing surface tension which could aid in better absorption of nutrients across the cell membranes.
JOHNSTON ET AL. REFERENCES
o A
-o
g>
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
Anonymous, 1974. The effects of Micro-Aid on the proliferation of microorganisms. Unpublished research report. Distrib. Proc, Inc., Porterville, CA. Goodall, S. R., J. D. Eichenbaum, and J. K. Matsushima, 1979. Sarsaponin and monensin effects upon in vitro VFA concentration, gas production and feedlot performance. J. Anim. Sci. 49 (Suppl. 1):370. (Abstr.) Goodall, S. R., and J. K. Matsushima, 1978. Sarsaponin in beef cattle rations. Pages 9-10 in Beef nutrition research. Gen. Ser. 979, Colorado State Univ. Exp. Sta. Greer, D. G., 1980. Personal communication. Guens, J.M.C., 1978. Steroid hormones and plant growth development. Phytochemistry 17:1. Peekstock, L., 1979. Laboratory evaluation of Yucca schidigera extract as a potential stress relief agent for biological treatment systems. Master's thesis, Miami University, Oxford, OH. Steel, R.G.D., and j . H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY.
Department of Animal Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, Colorado 80523 (Received for publication July 18, 1980)
1981 Poultry Science 60:2289-2292 INTRODUCTION DSS40 yucca saponin, described by Greer (1980), is a natural plant product prepared by drying and pulverizing the stems of Yucca schidigera. Thirty-five percent of DSS40 is organic material and the remaining 65% is inert carrier. Approximately 1 to 1.5% of the total product is the active steroid saponin. The plant extract contains several steroid saponins of which sarsaponin is the predominant member. Guens (1978) reported that steroid saponins play an active role in plant metabolism and growth. In an autofermentation study (Anonymous, 1974) water polluted with rabbit feed pellets and treated with steroid saponins resulted in the following effects when compared to an untreated control: a) the microbial populations proliferated faster, b) aerobic, facultative, and anaerobic forms were all stimulated about the same, c) malodors were reduced significantly, and d) fermentation was completed faster and dissolved oxygen returned to the solution sooner. Peekstock (1979) demonstrated that sarsaponin treatment resulted in more rapid recovery to a normal functioning condition when stresses were imposed upon waste digestion units (i.e., pH shock). However, sarsaponin had no effect on routine digestive performance in the absence of stress after
1 Supported by the Colorado State University Experiment Station and published as Scientific Series Paper No. 2568.
acclimation to the sarsaponin. Goodall and Matsushima (1978) found that sarsaponin imporved both rate of gain and feed efficiency in feedlot cattle that did not receive anabolic steroids or any other feed additives (i.e., Rumensin® and/or antibiotics). In another cattle trial designed to determine the effects of sarsaponin when used in conjunction with Rumensin® and Synovex®, Goodall et al. (1979) found that: 1) sarsaponin plus Rumensin® improved feed efficiency (P«.05) to a greater extent than either sarsaponin or Rumensin® alone; 2) sarsaponin-fed cattle consumed more feed (P<.05) during the first 6 weeks of the study than any other treatment, and the sarsaponin plus Rumensin®-fed cattle consumed the least feed (P«.05); 3) during the last 9 weeks of the study, there were significant improvements in average daily gain and feed efficiency for all treatments compared to controls; and 4) liver abscess incidence was decreased (P<.05) for both sarsaponin treatments. The objectives of this study were to determine if yucca saponin would effectively suppress ammonia release from poultry manure and to evaluate its effects on broiler performance. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE A total of 768 one-day-old commercial broiler male chicks was randomly assigned to 12 controlled environmental chambers (1.83 m X 3.05 m). There were two treatments with six replications. Litter consisted of clean pine wood shavings at a depth of 10 cm.
2289
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
ABSTRACT DSS40 yucca saponin was fed at 63 ppm (approximately .9 ppm active steroid saponin) in an experiment using 768 commercial male broilers to evaluate its effects on broiler performance and suppression of ammonia release from poultry manure. Broilers receiving yucca saponin were significantly heavier than controls at 28 and 51 days of age. There were no significant differences in feed efficiency, mortality, shank pigmentation, or ammonia levels. (Key words: yucca, saponin, broiler, ammonia, manure)
2290
JOHNSTON ET AL. TABLE 1. Composition and calculated analysis of the complete diets1 Percent of diet
Ingredient
Calculated analysis Protein, % ME kcal/kg Calcium % Available phosphorus % Lysine % Methionine % 1
47.68 33.27 7.45 7.00 2.00 1.25 .66 .40 .15 .09 .05 100.00 23.5 3200 1.0 .45 1.3 .45
Finisher 57.21 24.72 7.00 7.00 2.00 r.25 .20 .40 .15 .07 .05 100.00
20.6 3288 1.0 .4 1.1 .4
DSS40 added to test ration at rate of 63 ppm.
2
Vitamin-mineral premix supplies per kilogram: Vitamin A, 10560 IU; vitamin D 3 , 3520 ICU; vitamin E, 4.4 IU; vitamin K, 1.54 mg; riboflavin, 5.28 mg; d-pantothenic acid, 8.10 mg; niacin, 35.2 mg; vitamin B 1 2 , 13.2 Mg; choline, 495 mg; folic acid, .88 mg; ethoxyquin, 44 mg; Mn, 209 ppm; Zn, 176 ppm; Fe, 110 ppm; Cu, 15.4 ppm; Co, 1.76 ppm; I, 3.52 ppm.
Initially, feed was placed in feeder lids, and after 5 days the feed was placed in cone-type feeders. Each pen had a suspended, weight activated automatic waterer. Light was provided 24 hr a day with approximately .093 lx intensity at bird level. Broilers received a crumbled starter ration (Table 1) 1 to 28 days of age, then a pelleted finisher ration 29-51 days of age. Test ration was the same as control except for the addition of yucca saponin. Ammonia levels were measured with a Kitawara Precision Gas Detector 2 utilizing low-range ammonia detector tubes 3 . Ammonia sampling was conducted each day at approximately the same time and location within each pen. Samples were taken at approximately 2 cm above the litter half-way between the waterer and feeder.
2 Kitawara Precision Gas Detector, Air Products and Chemicals, Inc., Emmas, PA. 'Tubes, Scientific Industries, Boulder, CO.
All birds were weighed by pen at 28 and 51 days of age and feed was weighed back to determine feed efficiency. Percent mortality was recorded at 28 and 51 days of age. Shank pigmentation scores were determined at 51 days of age with a Roche Yolk Color Fan on 5 males randomly selected from each pen. Statistical analysis was performed using an analysis of variance package (one-way design). Tukey's test (Steel and Torrie, 1960) was used to test for significant differences within each parameter. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
At 28 days of age, broilers receiving yucca saponin were significantly (P«.05) heavier than control broilers with average weights of 747 g and 724 g, respectively (Table 2). There was no significant difference in feed conversion between treated and control broilers with means of 1.47 for treated and 1.49 for control birds (Table 2). The significantly heavier weights of the
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
Corn Soybean oil meal (44%) Vegetable oil Meat and bone meal (50%) Brewer's dried yeast Alfalfa meal, dehydrated (17%) Limestone Vitamin-mineral premix 2 Sodium chloride Methionine hydroxy analog Amprolium (25%)
Starter
EVALUATION OF YUCCA SAPONIN
2291
TABLE 2. Summary of 28-day broiler performance as influenced by yucca saponin1
Ration
Number started
Percent mortality
Body weight (g)
Feed efficiency
Test Control
381 384
6.3 a 11.7 a
747a 724b
1.47a 1.49 a
a,b Means within columns with the same superscripts are not significantly different (P>.05). Each ration fed to 6 replicate groups.
By calculation, the diet could contain from .12 to .21% sodium. DSS40 yucca saponin contains only trace amounts of sodium, however, and would contribute very little to the sodium content of the diet. Even if the diet is only .12% sodium and if the DSS40 were concentrated with sodium, it could only raise the sodium to .126% and is thus not an explanation for the growth response. There were no significant differences in ammonia levels between treated and control broilers. Broilers receiving yucca saponin averaged 2.9 ppm ammonia and control broilers 1.6 ppm ammonia for the experimental period. Table 4 shows 43 to 50 day and overall averages for each pen and treatment. No ammonia could be detected for the first 18 days. Ammonia levels then increased with the highest levels detected at the end of the experiment. Peekstock (1979) demonstrated that yucca saponins have their greatest effect on bacteria that exist under less than optimal conditions. Since there were no significant differences in ammonia levels, possibly the bacteria in the gut and feces of the birds were not under enough stress for yucca saponins to have any effect.
TABLE 3. Summary of 51-day broiler performance as influenced by yucca saponin'
Ration
Number started
Percent mortality
Body weight (g)
Feed efficiency
Test Control
381 384
9.0 a 14.8 a
2135 a 2070b
1.83 a 1.89 a
a 1
' Means within columns with the same superscripts are not significantly different (P>.05). Each ration fed to 6 replicate groups.
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
treatment broilers at 28 days of age indicate that yucca saponin may be affecting weight gain early in the broiler's life. At 51 days of age also, broilers which received yucca saponin were significantly (P«.01) heavier than control broilers. Test broilers averaged 2135 g and controls averaged 2070 g (Table 3). There were no significant differences in feed efficiency between treatment and control broilers with means of 1.83 and 1.89, respectively (Table 3). There were no significant differences in mortality and shank pigmentation scores. The broilers receiving yucca saponin increased their weight advantage even more at 51 days than at 28 days of age, indicating the effect in the digestive tract was probably continuous throughout growout. Yucca saponins, because of their chemical structure, cannot be absorbed across the epithelial membrane of the digestive tract (Greer, 1980); therefore, they must be influencing digestion within the lumen of the digestive tract. Since saponins have surfactant properties, they might be conditioning the cell membranes and reducing surface tension which could aid in better absorption of nutrients across the cell membranes.
JOHNSTON ET AL. REFERENCES
o A
-o
g>
Downloaded from http://ps.oxfordjournals.org/ at Florida International University on June 25, 2015
Anonymous, 1974. The effects of Micro-Aid on the proliferation of microorganisms. Unpublished research report. Distrib. Proc, Inc., Porterville, CA. Goodall, S. R., J. D. Eichenbaum, and J. K. Matsushima, 1979. Sarsaponin and monensin effects upon in vitro VFA concentration, gas production and feedlot performance. J. Anim. Sci. 49 (Suppl. 1):370. (Abstr.) Goodall, S. R., and J. K. Matsushima, 1978. Sarsaponin in beef cattle rations. Pages 9-10 in Beef nutrition research. Gen. Ser. 979, Colorado State Univ. Exp. Sta. Greer, D. G., 1980. Personal communication. Guens, J.M.C., 1978. Steroid hormones and plant growth development. Phytochemistry 17:1. Peekstock, L., 1979. Laboratory evaluation of Yucca schidigera extract as a potential stress relief agent for biological treatment systems. Master's thesis, Miami University, Oxford, OH. Steel, R.G.D., and j . H. Torrie, 1960. Principles and procedures of statistics. McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, NY.