Background: Snail farming is becoming increasingly popular in sub-Saharan Africa. But the real success of snail farming depends on the right feed formulas. With the aim of contributing to the formulation of diets for giant African snails, a study was carried out on the growth performance and meat yield of Achatina achatina subjected to different diets based on leaves powder. 
 
Methods: Fifteen batches of 30 two-month-old snails seedlings were fed for 6 months on diets made by enriched the leaves&nbsp; (papaya, taro, moringa and pigeon pea) powder at different rates (0%, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) with oyster shell powder. The growth performance and meat yields of these snails were determined and compared with those of a control batch of snails fed fresh papaya, taro, moringa and pigeon pea leaves.

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Result: Snails fed with leaf powder enriched with 20% oyster shell showed the greatest gains in weight (97.33&plusmn;4.2 g) and shell length (3.3&plusmn;0.8 cm). Although these animals had the highest proportions of shell (40&plusmn;3.2%), they provided the greatest quantities of soft tissue (60.3&plusmn;3.2 g) and edible flesh (33.5&plusmn;2.9 g). The diet consisting solely of fresh leaves induced the smallest gains in weight (21.6 &plusmn;5.1 g) and shell length (1.08&plusmn;0.9 cm).&nbsp; Snails fed this diet had the highest percentage of soft tissue (78.02&plusmn;6.53%). However, they provided the lowest amounts of soft tissue (19.34&plusmn;2.8 g) and fresh edible meat (9.66&plusmn;1.4 g).

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Growth Performance of Achatina achatina Fed with Leaf Powder Enriched in Oyster Shell Powder

<div>Background: The name Amrakhand comes from two words &lsquo;aam&rsquo; and &lsquo;shrikhand&rsquo; literally meaning mango shrikhand. It is popular mango yoghurt in Maharashtra and Gujarat. Amrakhand contains high sugar content, but in the context of health consciousness refined carbohydrate is necessary to curb in the diet of both insulin and non-insulin dependent diabetic patient. Hence dietetic Amrakhand was prepared using stevia to study its effect and suitability as a natural sweetener. 
 
Methods: Amrakhand prepared using different proportions of sucrose and powdered stevia leaf extract. The proportions used are 30:70 (T1), 25:75 (T2), 20: 80 (T3), 15:85 (T4), 10:90 (T5) with control sample 100:0 (T0). Textural properties of dietetic Amrakhand such as hardness, consistency, index of viscosity and cohesiveness were evaluated by using a texture analyzer (TA-XT2I, Stable Micro System, UK). 
 
Result: Textural parameters reveals that effect of increasing the concentration level of powdered stevia leaf extract, decreases the hardness, consistency, cohesiveness and index of viscosity values of the product. Whereas good sensory results were found at 70% (T1) of sucrose replacement by stevia leaf extract in dietetic Amrakhand. Hence, present paper focused on evaluation of textural characterization of dietetic Amrakhand prepared by using Stevia leaf extracts powder.</div>

<div>Textural Characterization of Dietetic Amrakhand Prepared by using Stevia Leaf Extracts Powder</div>

Background: Aloe vera is a perennial herbaceous plant that resembles like a cactus that thrives in arid, warm climates. It has been known and used for centuries for its health, beauty, medicinal and skin care properties. Though it is used for treatment of variety of ailments and improves the body&rsquo;s physiology but continued treatment of fresh extract Aloe vera lowered sperm concentration, motility andpercentage viability, resulting in higher sperm abnormalities. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of different percentage of dried Aloe vera leaf powder on sperm quality of crossbred boar (75% Yorkshire x 25% Zovawk) with GEPS extender. 
&nbsp; 
Methods: The study was conducted on three mature, Large White Yorkshire (LWY) and Zovawk (75% LWY and 25% Zovawk) crossbred boars. A total of 45 ejaculates, 15 from each boar were taken for the study. Each ejaculate was combined 1:1 with extender (GEPS) and divided into three aliquots, each of which was diluted with 0%, 5% and10% Aloe vera powder (PH 7.4) and stored for 48 hours at 17&deg;C in a BOD incubator. At 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours after preservation, the stored semen sample was tested for progressive motile sperm by traditional method, live sperm by Eosin-Nigrosin staining, acrosome integrity by Giemsa staining andsperm membrane integrity by HOST test, total protein, sperm membrane protein, cholesterol, ALT and AST level. 
&nbsp; 
Result: The per cent sperm motility, live sperm, acrosomal integrity and plasma membrane integrity of boar spermatozoa was decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of total protein, ALT and AST in seminal plasma was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The level of sperm membrane protein and cholesterol of boar spermatozoa decreased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. The total per cent of sperm abnormalities was increased while preserving the semen sample by using GEPS extenders along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C for 48 hours. In conclusion, the dried Aloe vera leaf powder @ 5% and 10% level having detrimental effect on semen quality of crossbred (75% Large White Yorkshire and 25% Zovawk) boar while preserving with ZEPS extender at 17&deg;C. The quality of boar semen was deteriorated chronologically at 0, 6, 12, 24 and 48 hours preservation with GEPS extender along with 5% and 10% of dried Aloe vera leaf powder at 17&deg;C. 
&nbsp;

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

<div style="text-align: justify;">Amrakhand is a variation of shrikhand where it is mixed with pureed mango popular in western part of southern peninsula of India; consumers in Gujarat prefer its sweet variety while those in Maharashtra prefer the tangy/soury variety. High sugar content in the Amrakhand contributes to the total energy intake; carbohydrate is the most restricted item in the diet of both dietetic and diabetic individuals. Stevia is a natural sweetener with zero calories and its beneficial influence on human health, there is a great possibility of its use in food industry. The main aim of study was to investigate the sensory quality of Amrakhand prepared by using stevia leaf extract powder at different level of concentrations. Six different concentrations of sucrose and stevia used were 30:70(T1), 25:75 (T2), 20:80 (T3), 15:85 (T4), 10:90 (T5) based on quantity of chakka. Control sample (T0) was prepared from 100:0 sucrose and stevia leaf extract powder concentration. Sensory attributes (colour and appearance, flavor, Mouthfeel, Body and texture, taste and overall acceptability) were judged by panel using 9- point hedonic scale the preferred order of samples was as follows : T1&gt;T2&gt;T0&gt;T3&gt;T4&gt;T5. Amrakhand with treatment T1 (30:70) was more acceptable by the panel of judges.&nbsp;</div>

Effect of stevia leaf extract powder on sensory characteristics of Amrakhand

<div>Background: Aeromonas hydrophila is considered a major bacterial pathogen in Indian aquaculture. The various experimental trials are being conducted as a control measure against A. hydrophila infection in fish. The study evaluated the effect of dietary inclusion of crude dried leaf powder of Eupatorium odoratum at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5% to study the immune response and disease resistance in fingerlings of Cyprinus carpio experimentally infected with A. hydrophila.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: The fingerlings of C. carpio were orally administered crude dried leaf powder of E. odoratum at 0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 % through feed for 55 days followed by challenge with A. hydrophila. The biochemical, haematological and immunological parameters of the fish samples analyzed on 55th and 62nd day of the feeding trial to evaluate the immune response and disease resistance.&nbsp; 
 
Result: The comparative analysis of biochemicals, haematological and immunological parameters confirmed that the fingerlings fed with dry crude leaf powder of E. odoratum at 0.5-1.0% showed enhanced leucocytes count, hemoglobin, lysozyme activity, superoxide anion production, bactericidal activity, the total protein and albumin content in pre and post-infected experimental groups. The highest relative survival percentage of fingerlings was recorded in groups fed with 1.0% dietary inclusion of dried crude leaf powder of E. odoratum. Thus, the study concludes that dietary inclusion of crude dried leaf powder of E. odoratum at 1.0% level imparts improved immune response and resistance against A. hydrophila infection.</div>

Leaf Powder of Eupatorium odoratum Enhances Non-specific Immune Response and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila Infection in Cyprinus carpio (Linn. 1758)

<div>Background: This study was conducted to assess the effect of neem (Azadirachta indica) leaves powder (NLP) and cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) oil (CNO) on the growth performance of broiler chickens. 
 
Methods: Four hundred twenty day old commercial Vencobb 400 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into 6 groups of 7 replicates each. Dietary treatments were; T0 (control: basal diet), T1 (basal diet + 2 g NLP/kg), T2 (basal diet + 4 g NLP/kg), T3 (basal diet + 100 mg CNO/kg), T4 (basal diet + 200 mg CNO/kg) and T5 (basal diet + 2 g NLP/kg + 100 mg CNO/kg).&nbsp; 
 
Result: Birds of supplemented groups showed improved average daily gain (ADG), better FCR and broiler performance efficiency index. Overall ADG was significantly high in T3 than other groups. The FCR of T3 and T5 groups, which were fed CNO 100 mg/kg and a combination of CNO (100 mg/kg) and NLP (2 g/kg), respectively, were better than control as well as other groups. It can be concluded that dietary supplementation of cinnamon oil (100 mg/kg) along with neem leaves powder (2 g/kg) has the potential to improve growth performance of broiler chickens. However, 100 mg/kg CNO can be recommended in the diet of broiler chickens as an alternative growth promoter for better production and optimum health status.</div>

​Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaves Powder and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Oil on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

Background: Tejpatta leaves are well known for their use as spice in food for taste and aromatic purposes. It is mainly used for flavoring food and widely used in pharmaceutical preparation because of its hypoglycemic, stimulant, carminative, antidiabetic, antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-ulcer and antimicrobial properties. Keeping the aforementioned properties in view, the present study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder on growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters of broilers for boosting poultry industry production.&nbsp; 
 
Methods: Two hundred and twenty five day-old chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary treatment groups (T1-T5) using CRD, each consisting of 45 chicks with roughly equal average body weights. Each group of 45 chicks was subdivided into three replicates (R1, R2 and R3) having 15 chicks per replicate. The T1 group fed basal diet only, while T2, T3, T4 and T5 groups were fed Tejpatta leaf powder @ 0.25%, 0.75%, 1.25% and 1.75%, respectively, along with basal diet. 
 
Result: Significant (P&lt;0.01) effect on growth characteristics was noticed in broiler chicks due to dietary supplementation of Tejpatta leaf powder. Significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher body weight, weekly body weight gain, average daily body weight gain and performance index was noticed in T4 group and lowest was observed in T1 group. Significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher feed intake was observed in T5 group and lowest was in T1 group. Lowest feed conversion ratio was observed in T4 group and highest in T1 group. Non-significant effect on hemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood corpuscle count, serum glucose, total protein and cholesterol and creatinine levels was observed in various treatment groups. It was concluded that supplementing broiler diet with Tejpatta leaf powder @ 1.25% could be beneficial for improving broiler chick growth performance and hemato-biochemical parameters while having no adverse effects on broiler chicks.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf&nbsp; Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

<div>Background: Since last few years, there was a drastic change in the food habits and cooking methods. Ready to eat (RTE) products usage was highly increased in the last five years due their convenience, price, attractiveness, taste, texture and appearance. Consumption of convenience foods with health benefits attracted many sections of the population. Jowar is a millet with potential health benefits. Leucas aspera is a traditional green leafy vegetable available in entire India. Instead of regular murukku, jowar murukku with addition of an underutilised green leafy vegetable (Leucas aspera) adds variety, improve palatability and health. Leucas aspera leaf powder incorporated jowar murukku was developed and evaluated for sensory and nutritional qualities. 
 
Methods: The work was done in the year 2020-2021. The leaves are collected from the Nalgonda district of Telangana state. After the preliminary processing, the dried leaf powder is added to jowar murukku in different formulations. The best selected formulation is analysed for both sensory and nutritional quality.&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 
Result: The results of the study found that addition of leaf powder improved the sensory quality, protein, crude fiber, vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content of the jowar murukku than the control sample.&nbsp;</div>

Evaluation of Sensory and Nutritional Quality of Leucas aspera Leaf Powder Incorporated Millet based Ready to Eat (RTE) Snack

<div>Background: Some natural sources of polyphenols like grape seed, leaf or extracts, have many benefits in maintaining bone health in animals. This study aimed to investigate the efficacy of grape seeds, grape leaves powder, or their extracts on some bone characteristics and total ash content in broiler chickens. &nbsp; 
 
Methods: Three hundred and twenty four one-day-old broilers were allocated to nine treatments with three replicates containing 12 chicks each. Chicks were fed nine experimental diets for 35 days; as a control diet without supplementation (T1), control diets supplemented with 15 and 30 g/kg grape seeds powder (GSP) (T2, T3), 15 and 30 g/kg grape leaf powder (GLP) (T4, T5), grape seed extract (GSE) at levels 2 and 4 ml/l added in drinking water &nbsp;(T6, T7) and with grape leaf extract (GLE ) at levels 2 and 4 ml/l (T8 and T9), respectively.&nbsp; 
 
Result: Significant increase (p&le;0.05) in the bone length was recorded with GSP (30 g/kg), GLP (15 g/kg), GSE or GLE&nbsp;and calcium percent with GLE as compared with control. Furthermore, significant improvement was recorded in predictive skeletal weight of broilers fed GSE (T6 &alpha; T7) as compared to the other treatments. The study concluded that the best results were achieved at the 2 or 4 ml/l of grape seed extract in improving femur length, predicted skeletal weight and from grape leaf extract in improving calcium percentage in broiler bone ash.</div>

<div>Effect of Adding Different Levels of Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) Seeds and Leaf Powder or their Extracts on Some Bone Characteristics and Total Ash Content in Broiler Chickens</div>

<div style="text-align: justify;">Background: Moringa oleifera Lam (Moringaceae) is a highly valued multipurpose herbal plant, native to India, grows in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is commonly known as &lsquo;drumstick tree&rsquo; or &lsquo;horseradish tree&rsquo;. Moringa can withstand both severe drought and mild frost conditions and hence widely cultivated across the world. The leaves are rich in minerals, vitamins and other essential phytochemicals. Extracts from the leaves are used to treat malnutrition, augment breast milk in lactating mothers.&nbsp; Methods: During the investigation different combinations like 0%, 18%, 20%, 22% and 24% of Moringa leaves powdered and were used for formulations respectively. Prepared Moringa leaves powder were mix with other spices to prepare instant soup powder. The formulation content 24% Moringa leaf (MLP4) powder was the better composition and more acceptable among the rest. Result: Proximate study of selected sample were found high in protein 13.67%, ash 9.79%, fibre 5.99% and low in fat 3.04% and energy value which make the developed soup as an appropriate choice to fulfill nutritional demand of consumers. Instant soup mixes packed in aluminium foil was found to be successfully stored for 90 days at room temperature without any major changes, in physicochemical, microbial and organoleptic parameters. Supplementation with Moringa leaf powder significantly enhanced the nutritional characteristics and had a reasonable amount of required nutrients, Hence the value added instant soup mix can also play a great role in attaining the nutritional security in the country.</div>

Growth Performance of Achatina achatina Fed with Leaf Powder Enriched in Oyster Shell Powder

Textural Characterization of Dietetic Amrakhand Prepared by using Stevia Leaf Extracts Powder

Effect of Different Percentage of Dried Aloe Vera Leaf Powder on Quality of Boar Semen

Effect of stevia leaf extract powder on sensory characteristics of Amrakhand

Leaf Powder of Eupatorium odoratum Enhances Non-specific Immune Response and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila Infection in Cyprinus carpio (Linn. 1758)

Effect of Neem (Azadirachta indica) Leaves Powder and Cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) Oil on Growth Performance of Broiler Chickens

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Tejpatta (Cinnamomum tamala) Leaf Powder as Feed Additive on Growth Performance and Haemato-biochemical Parameters of Broilers

Evaluation of Sensory and Nutritional Quality of Leucas aspera Leaf Powder Incorporated Millet based Ready to Eat (RTE) Snack

Effect of Adding Different Levels of Grapes (Vitis vinifera L.) Seeds and Leaf Powder or their Extracts on Some Bone Characteristics and Total Ash Content in Broiler Chickens

Shelf Life Assessment of Moringa oleifera Fortified (Leaf Powder) Instant Soup Mixes