Energy values of passion fruit seed oil for broiler chickens

Passion fruit (Passiflora edulis) is a tropical fruit with production concentrated primarily in South America, and Brazil is the main producer and consumer of this fruit. The byproducts obtained from the pulp and seeds can be used as an alternative food ingredient, and the oil is provided through the seeds. This study was conducted to determine the energy value of passion fruit seed oil for broiler chickens. A metabolism assay with seventy 21- to 31-d-old male Cobb broiler chickens was carried out using the method of total excreta collection. The birds were stored in 14 cages that were previously adapted with plastic-covered trays to collect excreta. The experimental design was completely randomized with 2 treatments and 7 replications of 5 birds per experimental unit. The treatments were a basal diet based on corn and soybean meal and a test diet (reference diet with 10% replacement of passion fruit seed oil). The experimental period lasted 10 d (5 d for adjustment + 5 d for excreta collection), and during that period, birds received ad libitum feed and water. The traditional method of excreta collection was used, with ferric oxide (1%) serving as a marker at the start and end of excreta collection, according to the methodology described by Sakomura and Rostagno. Feed was weighed at the start and the end of the full collection period in order to determine mean feed intake. The energy values were obtained using a colorimetric pump (IKA C-200). After laboratory analysis results were obtained for the reference feed, test feed, and excreta, the value of apparent ME (AME) was calculated using the equation in Matterson et al. The energy values of passion fruit seed oil obtained were 9,837 kcal/kg for GE and 9,378 kcal/kg for AME.