By Euglena to Hinai chickens as feed
Confirmed research results suggesting weight gain and meat quality improvement

Euglena Co., Ltd.

　Euglena Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Minato-ku, Tokyo, President: Mitsuru Izumo) used the microalgae Euglena (Japanese name: Euglena) powder (hereinafter referred to as Euglena powder) in the Hinai area in a study conducted jointly with the Akita Prefectural Livestock Experiment Station. We are pleased to inform you that we have confirmed the research results suggesting that by feeding chickens, Hinai chickens will gain weight * 1 and the content of euglena fatty acids * 2 will increase with a smaller amount of feed than usual.
　The results of these researches were presented at the Japanese Poultry Society held on March 30, 2017.

　Euglena is conducting research to utilize microalgae Euglena, which contains abundant nutrients such as proteins necessary for animal growth, as feed.
　In this study, the body weight and feed of Hinai chickens were fed during the breeding period from the beginning * 3 to shipment, with normal feed and feed partially replaced with Euglena powder. The demand ratio * 4 and the value of fatty acids in chicken meat after the breeding period were measured. As a result, in Hinai chickens fed a feed containing Euglena powder, the body weight increased significantly and the feed conversion ratio was a normal feed up to 4 weeks of age * 5. We have confirmed that there is a tendency for improvement * 6 compared to the case. In addition, it was confirmed that lauric acid, myristic acid, DHA, etc. were significantly increased among the fatty acids contained in the thigh meat after the breeding period.
　The results of this study show that by feeding Hinai chickens a feed containing Euglena powder and raising them, they are differentiated from chickens that do not receive Euglena powder in terms of breeding and meat quality of thigh meat. It suggests the possibility of being realized.

　Going forward, we will continue to Euglena as feed and aim to increase its value as feed.
The details are as follows.

About research on weight gain and meat quality improvement of Hinai chicken

■ Research content
　Every day from the beginning, a feed partially replaced with Euglena powder was given to the Hinai chickens, and the weight, feed conversion ratio, and breeding period with the normal feed Hinai chickens (control). We compared the later fatty acid numbers. As a result, for Hinai chickens fed a feed containing Euglena powder, the body weight increased significantly and the feed conversion ratio tended to improve in the period up to 4 weeks of age. I confirmed that it is in (Figs. 1 and 2). It was also confirmed that the contents of lauric acid, myristic acid, and DHA among the fatty acids contained in thigh meat were significantly increased (Figs. 3 and 4).

　　　　　　　　　　　　　Fig. 1 Comparison of body weight at 4 weeks of age Fig. 2 Comparison of feed conversion ratio from the first to 4 weeks of age

　　　　　　　　　　　　Fig. 3 Content of lauric acid in thigh meat Fig. 4 Content of myristic acid and DHA in thigh meat

　* 1 The weight of livestock increases. * 2 One of the constituents of lipids. * 3 The day when the chick was born.
　* 4 The weight of feed required to increase the weight of livestock by a certain amount. * How to count the age in 5 week units.
　* 6 Improvement of feed conversion ratio = Weight gains with a small amount of feed.

■ Consideration
　By feeding Euglena powder as feed, it is possible to efficiently increase the body weight of Hinai chicken with a smaller amount of feed than usual and increase the fatty acid content of thigh meat up to 4 weeks of age. Sex was suggested.

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Euglena Co., Ltd. Public Relations and IR Division