Açafrão (Curcuma longa) em rações para frangos de corte contendo sorgo em substituição ao milho

Abstract

The objective of this research was to verify the action of the ground saffron as a natural source of pigmentation of broiler chickens carcass, as well as their influence on the performance and carcass yield. The experiment lasted 44 days. They were used 750 chicks a day divided into 5 treatments and 5 replications, being, Treatment 1 (Control): ration based on sorghum and soybean meal (SBM), without saffron; Treatment 2: ration based on sorghum and SBM with 0,5% saffron; Treatment 3: ration based on sorghum and SBM, with 1,0% saffron; Treatment 4: Ration based on sorghum and SBM, with 1,5% saffron; Treatment 5: Ration based on sorghum and SBM, with 2,0% saffron.Each plot was constituted by 30 animals. Performance, carcass yield and cuts, color of the breast and thigh cuts, acceptance of breast and thigh cuts test for sensory analysis and economic feasibility of the rations were evaluated. The treatment containing 0,5% of saffron showed lower weight gain in the total experimental period.The variable b * (yellow) of the cut thigh was significantly influenced(P <0.05), by different levels of saffron, with increasing linear behavior. In the sensory analysis, the treatment containing 1,5 and 2,0% of saffron showed better public acceptance for the thigh and chest cuts. The use of saffron to the 2% level in for broiler chickens diets based on sorghum promotes greater coloring of the cut thigh without interfering in the performance.