# Effects of Lavender Flower Distillation Residue Powder on Performance, Egg Quality and Yolk Antioxidant Capacity in Laying Japanese Quail

## TL;DR

Adding lavender residue powder to quail diets can improve eggshell quality and yolk color while boosting antioxidants, but higher amounts may reduce appetite.

## Contribution

This study demonstrates that lavender distillation residue powder can be a sustainable feed additive to enhance egg quality in quail.

## Key findings

- LRP improved eggshell strength and reduced damaged eggs in a dose-dependent manner.
- LRP increased yolk redness and antioxidant capacity while decreasing oxidative stress markers.
- Feed intake increased at 1 g/kg LRP but decreased at 2 g/kg, with no effect on egg production.

## Abstract

The use of agricultural by-products in animal nutrition is gaining interest as a way to reduce waste, lower feeding costs and improve the quality of animal products. Lavender is a well-known aromatic plant that contains natural compounds with beneficial properties, and its residues obtained after essential oil extraction are inexpensive and widely available. This study explored whether lavender flower distillation residue powder (LRP) could be used in the diet of laying quail. The results suggest that including small amounts of this by-product in quail diets can improve eggshell quality, enhance yolk color and increase the antioxidant protection of egg yolk, without negatively affecting egg production. A moderate inclusion level (1 g/kg of feed) was associated with increased feed intake, whereas a higher-level reduced appetite. Overall, these findings indicate that LRP could be a valuable and sustainable feed ingredient, contributing to better egg quality while supporting the reuse of agricultural by-products.

This study evaluated the effects of lavender flower distillation residue powder (LRP) as a dietary supplement on performance, egg quality and yolk oxidative status in laying Japanese quail. Seventy-five 24-week-old hens were allocated to three dietary treatments (0, 1 or 2 g/kg residue powder) for 10 weeks, with five replicate cages per treatment and five birds per cage. Feed intake increased at the inclusion level of 1 g/kg but decreased at 2 g/kg compared with the control group (p < 0.01), whereas egg production, egg weight, egg mass and feed conversion ratio were not affected (p > 0.05). Dietary supplementation reduced the proportion of damaged eggs (p < 0.05) and increased eggshell breaking strength (p < 0.01) in a dose-dependent manner. Yolk redness (a*) and Roche color score were higher in birds fed 1 g/kg of LRP (p < 0.01). Yolk radical-scavenging capacity (DPPH) increased at 1 g/kg (p < 0.01), while yolk malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration decreased with increasing inclusion level (p < 0.01). Overall, LRP may be used as a natural feed additive to improve eggshell integrity, yolk color and yolk antioxidant status in laying quail; however, the inclusion level should be carefully considered due to its contrasting effects on feed intake.