Effect of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn.) Calyx in Laying Hen Diet on Egg Production Performance, Egg Quality and TBARS Value in Plasma and Yolk

An experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of Roselle calyx in two preparation forms in layer diets on egg production performance, egg quality and TBARS value in plasma and yolk. Two hundred and seventy, 33-week-old, CP Brown laying hens were randomly allocated into 6 treatments with 5 replications of 9 hens each. The dietary treatments were control diet, control diet supplemented with 250 mg/kg alpha-tocopheryl acetate, diet containing 1 and 2% of Roselle calyx crude extracts, and diet containing 2% and 4% Roselle calyx powder. Egg production performance was recorded, egg quality was measured and TBARS value in plasma and yolk were analyzed after fed experimental diets for 4 and 8 weeks. Yolk TBARS after storage for 10 and 20 days in refrigerator and room temperature were also determined. The results demonstrated that there was no significant difference in egg production performance and egg quality and TBARS value in plasma and yolk at the 4(th) and 8(th) week among treatment groups (p>0.05). Roselle calyx tended to decrease TBARS value in yolk (p>0.05) while TBARS value in yolk significantly increased when storage times increased (p<0.01) in both storage methods. In conclusion, both forms and levels of Roselle had no adverse effect on egg production and egg quality. As an antioxidant, Roselle could not clearly show antioxidant activity. This may be due to the concentration of phenolic compound level in supplemented Roselle. Storage time was an important factor to decrease egg quality and increase TBARS value in yolk in both storage methods.