Effect of Citrus Peel Essential Oil and Egg Storage Methods on the Quality of Quail Eggs Eko Widodo, Meilina Rizky Fadillah, Pipit Aina Nurfarida, and Filoza Marwi
Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
Abstract
This study explores the potential of Citrus Peel Essential Oil (CPEO) as an alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promotor (AGP) due to its known antibacterial and antioxidant properties and examine the effects of different egg storage methods on quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) eggs quality. The study employed 352 aged 17 weeks quails raised for 6 weeks period along with treatments. The treatments included P0 = basal feed (control), P0+ = basal feed + 0.15% zinc bacitracin (control positive), P1= basal feed + 0.05% CPEO, P2= basal feed + 0.10% CPEO, P3= basal feed + 0.15% CPEO, P4= basal feed + 0.20% CPEO, P5= basal feed + 0.25% CPEO, P6= basal feed + 0.30% CPEO. The eggs were stored under two conditions, refrigeration and room temperature for 14 days before egg quality testing. The results revealed that the use of CPEO as a feed additive gave significant effect (P<0.05) on the yolk index, yolk color, and Haugh Unit, but did not significantly impact the albumin index (P>0.05). Egg storage methods showed significant effect (P<0.05) on Haugh Unit, albumin index, and yolk index but did not influence the yolk color. Interaction tests showed a significant interaction for the albumin index (P<0.05), with no significant interaction effect observed for the yolk index, yolk color, and Haugh Unit (P>0.05). The conclusion is level of essential oil improves quail egg quality, especially with refrigerated storage method.
