Dimethyl Carbonate Treated Karanj (Pongamia glabra) Seed Cake in the Diet of Broiler Chicken

The feeding value of dimethyl carbonate (DMC) detoxified Karanj cake (DMC-KC) was tested at graded levels (3, 4.5 and 6%) against corresponding levels of untreated solvent extracted karanj cake (KC) and a control in broiler chicken. A total of 315 day-old male broiler chicken divided into 7 experimental groups having 9 replicates of 5 chicken each were fed diets from day one to 6 weeks of age. Feeding of KC depressed body weight significantly (P<0.01) from the lowest level tested (3% onwards) and DMC treatment improved the body weight significantly (P<0.01) at 3% level of KC, which was similar to that of control. However, no such effect was recorded at higher levels of 4.5 and 6% DMC-KC. The feed intake was significantly (P<0.01) lower in all the test groups except with 3% DMC-KC in comparison to control. The liver weight increased at 4.5 and 6% levels of KC whereas such a response was observed only at the highest level of 6% DMC-KC. The gizzard weight increased at the highest level of 6% KC and the weight of giblets was higher at 3 and 4.5% of KC, though, it was similar up to 4.5% of DMC-KC. Serum cholesterol content decreased and alkaline phosphatase activity increased with KC or DMC-KC feeding. The results indicated a significant improvement in the nutritional value of karanj cake with DMC treatment which could be safely added up to 3% in the diet of broiler chicken.