Efficacy of orally administered ginseng stem and leaf in chickens

Prospects for the utilization of Senna obtusifolia products as protein supplements for poultry

The scarcity and high cost of conventional ingredients are major factors limiting the growth of the poultry industry globally. This has driven research into alternative ingredients for poultry feeding. Senna obtusifolia or cassia, a widely distributed shrub, is invasive in many regions of the world. The seeds and leaves of the plant are moderate protein sources with the protein having an acceptable amino acid profile, especially essential amino acids. This nutritional profile of Senna obtusifolia products (seeds and leaves), coupled with their availability make them potential protein supplements for poultry feeding; however, the presence of several antinutritional factors (ANFs) (Oxalate, phytate, saponins, tannins and haemagglutinins) hinders their fullest use in the diet. In recent years, there has been increasing research interest into processing techniques to reduce the ANFs content and make these products safe for poultry feeding. Depending on birds age, fermented Senna seed meal may be included in the diet of broilers and cockerels up to 200 g/kg without compromising birds’ performance but raw meal as low as 50 g/kg exerts antinutritional effects. More research is needed into maximum utilization of Senna products to reduce cost of production on smallholder to medium scale poultry farms. Newer processing methods will need to be developed in response to the increasing market price of conventional protein sources.

Effect of Roasting Time and Cryogenic Milling on the Physicochemical Characteristics of Dried Ginseng Powder

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of reduced particle size of ginseng by roasting and cryogenic milling on increasing its water solubility and physiological activity. The samples were roasted for different times (9–21 min) and generated in different sizes (10–50, and >50 μm). All roasted samples revealed significantly smaller particle sizes than did non-roasted samples, based on Sauter mean diameter (D [3,2], p < 0.05). Furthermore, the particle sizes of roasted samples decreased until roasting up to 15 min. In terms of the water solubility index (WSI), antioxidant activity, total polyphenol content (TPC), and total polysaccharides according to particle size, 10–20 μm-sized samples showed the highest values when compared with >50 μm-sized samples. Based on roasting time, WSI values of all samples roasted for up to 15 min were higher than those of the control (not roasted) (p < 0.05). Antioxidant activity and TPC also increased with increasing roasting time. Total polysaccharide content was the highest upon roasting for 15 min, except for the 10–20 μm sample. Ginsenoside content of roasted samples >20 μm size was higher than that of the control (not roasted) except after 15 min of roasting. Therefore, roasting and cryogenic milling are effective in producing ginseng root powder.