Adsorbent Levels in Diets Contaminated with Mycotoxins and Japanese Quails Egg Quality

Abstract

In this study, 576 Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) with 15 weeks of age were fed with different diet to evaluate the micotoxins effects on the egg quality indexes, to determine possible micotoxin residues in eggs, to establish possible conversion rate of toxins for the eggs and to analyze the protective effect of the adsorbent. The experimental model used was entirely randomized with fatorial 3x2x2, with three levels of aflatoxin inclusion (0, 1000 and 2000 mg/kg), two levels of zearalenone inclusion (0, and 2000 mg/kg) and two levels of adsorbent inclusion (0 and 0.1%). Three replicates of 16 Japanese quails were used in each cage. This study lasted 56 days, comprising two periods of 28 days. There were significant effects of aflatoxins (p<0,05) in the first period to the specific gravity, that was larger with the level of 2000 mg/kg. There were significant effects of zearalenone (p<0,05) in the first experimental period to the Haugh units, that was larger in the group without zearalenone than in the group with the level of 2000 mg/kg. The average rate of toxins conversion for the eggs was 402.78:1 and 315.16:1 in the first and second periods, respectively. Japanese quails excreted larger amount of toxins for the eggs with 1000 mg/kg of aflatoxins. The transference of residues to the eggs wasn’t avoided by adsorbent.