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Status of Dietary Electrolyte Balance in Commercial Poultry Diets in Pakistan

Article  in  Pakistan Journal of Nutrition · December 2013

DOI: 10.3923/pjn.2013.1081.1084

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Pakistan Journal of Nutrition 12 (12): 1081-1084, 2013
ISSN 1680-5194
© Asian Network for Scientific Information, 2013

Status of Dietary Electrolyte Balance in Commercial Poultry Diets in Pakistan

Naveed Ahmed, Sohail Hassan Khan, Muhammad Ashraf Anjum, Rozina Sardar,
Mohammad Yasin Amer, Muhammad Amin, Zafar Iqbal Chauhan and Muhammad Yaqoob Anjum
Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi-46300, Pakistan

Abstract: Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) plays a vital role in body’s homeostasis and optimum provision
of DEB which is critical for maximum efficiency and stress coping in birds. A total of 68 poultry feed samples
were collected from Multan, Rawalpindi and Sargodha districts of Punjab province of Pakistan. The study
included 16 broiler, 16 breeder and 36 layer diets. Water samples (n = 51) alongwith feed samples were
also collected wherever possible. These samples were examined for sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and
chloride (Cl-) ions contents and DEB was calculated by subtracting anions from cations. The results showed
variations and discrepancies in provision of individual ions as well as overall DEB. These results were
compared with National Research Council (1994) recommendations for ionic contents and DEB level was
compared by findings of other research studies. The mean of Na+ contents were well within recommended
range; Cl- contents were slightly high while K+ contents were 2 to 4 times higher than NRC (1994)
recommendations. However the resulting DEB for broiler, breeder and layer flocks was 192.7, 168.1 and
198.2 mEq/kg, respectively. The water can play important role in supplementation of anions and cations thus
effecting overall DEB. The 13, 23 and 15 water samples (total = 51) collected from Multan, Rawalpindi and
Sargodha districts, respectively showed an area wise distribution pattern of these ions. The mean of Na+
contents of water samples collected from Multan district was 229 ppm as compared to recommended level
of 50 ppm for poultry consumption. Whereas analysis of water samples collected from Rawalpindi and
Sargodha district showed much better ionic composition for poultry usage.

Key words: Chloride, dietary electrolyte balance, potassium, sodium, water

INTRODUCTION earlier study (Mongin, 1981) suggested that 250 mEq/kg

Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) is interplay of strong DEB for broilers while later on study (Johnson and
monovalent ions in the poultry diet. Of these ions, Karunajeewa, 1985) recommended DEB between 180-
sodium (Na+), potassium (K+) and chloride (Cl -) are of 300 mEq/kg for broilers. Other research studies
particular interest because of their high bioavailability indicated optimum DEB level was within the same range
and relatively higher proportion in the body (Hodge, i.e., 246 to 315 mEq/kg for starter phase and 249 to 257
1995). These electrolytes are critical for intra and mEq/kg for growing phase (Murakami et al., 2001;
extracellular homeostasis and influence variety of Oviedo-Rondon et al., 2001). Maximum body weight gain
biological parameters within the body ranging from acid and feed conversion ratio was reported at DEB levels of
base balance, osmotic pressure, impulse transmission, 236 and 207 mEq/kg, respectively (Borges et al., 2003a).
enzymatic activity and provide platform for optimum live However, minimum body weight gain and feed
bird performance (Ahmad and Sarwar, 2006; Borges et conversion ratio was reported at high DEB levels of 340
al., 2007). and 360 mEq/kg, respectively (Borges et al., 2003b;
The optimum level of these electrolytes is provided Borges et al., 2004). The DEB requirements for broilers
through feed formulation in the view of guidelines laid by depend on age of the birds. Szabo and coworkers found
National Research Council (NRC) and nutritional that 175 mEq/kg of DEB was appropriate upto 21 days of
recommendations of management guide manuals age, while DEB of 250 mEq/kg found better results from
provided with different varieties of birds. It is defined in 22 to 42 days of age. The DEB variations did not affect
terms of mEq of Na+ and K+ minus mEq of Cl-/kg of the macromineral composition of bones (Szabo et al.,
diet (Nutrition and Council, 1994). However it is equally 2011). However, Ahmad and coworkers (Ahmad et al.,
important to provide optimum DEB according to 2009) suggested that no single DEB value can be
productive and environmental conditions by recommended to improve broiler performance in hot and
manipulating these electrolytes in feed and water. humid tropical conditions. They found that DEB values of
Various studies have suggested varying optimum levels 50, 150 and 250 mEq/kg showed quadratic effect on
of DEB for high growth and productivity ranging between weight gain and flock maintained decreased mortality
150-300 mEq/kg for different classes of poultry. An and better blood pH balance, whereas DEB of 0 and 350

Corresponding Author: Sohail Hassan Khan, Poultry Research Institute, Murree Road, Shamsabad, Rawalpindi-46300, Pakistan

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 Pak. J. Nutr., 12 (12): 1081-1084, 2013

mEq/kg resulted in metabolic acidosis and alkalosis, Sodium (Na+) and Potassium (K+) ions analysis: The
respectively. The effect of DEB on layers was well Na+ and K+ were determined according to the methods
studied by Gezen et al. (2005), who reported that the of AOAC by flame photometer (Sherwood Flame
DEB level of 256 mEq/kg caused improvement in egg Photometer 410, Sherwood Scientific Ltd. Cambridge,
shell quality and also corrected metabolic acidosis UK) using standard curve (International and Horwitz,
resulting from egg lay. 2011). The concentration of Na+ and K+ in water samples
Since DEB is the function of individual ions, it is equally was also determined through flame photometer.
important to provide effective level of each ion. The
effects of extreme levels of Na+, K+ and Cl- have been Chloride ions (Cl-) analysis: The Cl -in feed samples
well studied by Borges and coworkers (Borges et al., was determined by dry ashing feed samples at 500 to
1999) and they also defined the extreme levels of Na+ 550°C in the presence of calcium oxide. The resulting
(0.15-0.6%), K+ (0.98-1.21%) and Cl- (0.15-0.71%). ash was dissolved in hot distilled water and titrated
However, NRC recommended levels for Na+ (0.12- against 0.05 M AgNO3 solution, using K2CrO7 as
indicator (Chapman and Pratt, 1961). For chloride
0.2%), K+ (0.13-0.3%) and Cl- (0.12-0.2%) for various
contents in water samples, 10 ml of water sample was
classes of poultry are significantly lower (Borges et al.,
taken in a beaker and 2 drops of K2CrO7 were added into
2007), whereas Oviedo-Rondon et al. (2001)
it. The resulting yellow color solution was titrated against
recommended optimum Na+ and Cl- requirements for
0.05 M AgNO3 solution, till a stable red color appeared.
young broiler chicken as 0.28 and 0.25%, respectively.
Molarity of chloride ion was calculated by using M1V1 =
Another study suggested that under heat stress M2V2 equation and converted to ppm concentration
conditions, relatively higher DEB level should be through following formula:
provided because of respiratory alkalosis resulting
from evaporative cooling of the body and excessive loss - -
Conc. Cl ions in ppm = Molarity of Cl ions x 35.5 x 1000
of K+ ion through kidneys (Fixter et al., 1987). Under
ambient temperature of 18-26°C, DEB level of 250 Calculation of dietary electrolyte balance: The DEB
mEq/Kg was optimum but higher temperature (25-35°C) was calculated by converting the concentration of these
required an elevated DEB level of 350 mEq/Kg (Fixter et monovalent ions in mEq/kg by following formulas:
al., 1987).
There are lacking information concerning an actual Concentration of Na+ in mEq/kg = Concentration in ppm/23
status of these ions in the available finished poultry feed Concentration of K+ in mEq/kg = Concentration in ppm/39.1
-
Concentration of Cl in mEq/kg = Concentration in ppm/35.5
and water in the country. Current study focuses on the
field survey of DEB of poultry feed diets being used at
The resulting values were put into the following formula
farms of different regions of the Punjab province of
to calculate dietary electrolyte balance. The
Pakistan. To have an overall picture of availability of
concentration of these ions in water samples was also
individual dietary electrolytes, water samples from the used in equation, wherever water samples were
same farms were also collected and analyzed wherever available.
possible.
DEB = (mEq/kg of Na+ in feed+mEq/kg of Na+ in
MATERIALS AND METHODS water+mEq/kg of K+ in feed+mEq/kg of K+ in water)-
Feed samples collection: A total of 68 poultry feed and (mEq/kg of Cl- in feed+mEq/kg of Cl- in water).
51 water samples were collected from Rawalpindi,
Sargodha and Multan districts of Punjab. These Statistical analysis: For statistical analysis SPSS
samples were analyzed for Na+, K+ and Cl- contents to version 17 was used to calculate mean, mode and
calculate overall DEB. Feed samples which routinely standard error of mean (SEM).
received for proximate analysis in the Feed Testing
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Laboratory, Poultry Research Institute, Rawalpindi were
Broiler diets: The ionic concentration of different poultry
also included in this study.
diets is shown in Table 1. The results showed that in 16
broiler diet samples, the mean concentration of Na+, K+
Wet digestion: Feed samples were oven dried and and Cl- was 1688, 7019 and 2215 ppm, respectively.
grinded before wet digestion for Na+ and K+ analysis. Only 2 numbers of samples, out of 16 broiler diets
Exactly 1 gram of feed sample was taken in digestion samples had Na+ concentration within range as
flask and incubated with 20 mL of conc. HNO3 for recommended by NRC (Nutrition and Council, 1994).
overnight. Another 10 ml of conc. HOCl4 was added in The concentration of Cl- and K+ was higher in 9 and 16
the mixture and heated at 300°C till the volume reduced samples, respectively when compared with NRC
to 4 to 5 mL and vapors color changed to white. Distilled recommendations; however, other studies have
water was added to make volume up to 100 mL and recommended higher level of K+ in broiler diets (Borges
filtered through Whatman no. 1 filter paper. et al., 1999).

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 Pak. J. Nutr., 12 (12): 1081-1084, 2013
-
Table 1: Surveillance of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Chloride (Cl ) ions concentration in poultry diets used for different flock types
------------------------------------------------- Ionic concentration (ppm) ----------------------------------------------------
Flock type No. samples Type of ions Min. Max. Mean Mode SEM Recommended Level*
Broiler 16 Na+ 1000 3200 1688 1800 129 1200-2000
K+ 3900 9500 7019 7500 376 3000
Cl- 1500.0 3900.0 2215.6 1700.0 157.9 1200-2000
Breeder 16 Na+ 600 2100 1250 600 208 1500**
K+ 4400 8800 6600 4400 687 1500**
Cl- 1100.0 3000.0 1983.3 1100.0 311.4 1300**
Layer 36 Na+ 1000 5200 1978 1700 150 1500**
K+ 4000 11000 6681 7000 253 1500**
Cl- 1200.0 3540.0 2163.6 2300.0 107.1 1300**
*(Nutrition and Council, 1994). **Based on 100 gm of feed intake per hen daily at 90% production

Table 2: Comparison of Dietary Electrolyte Balance (DEB) level of poultry diets of different flock types
-------------------------------------------------------------------- DEB (mEq/kg) --------------------------------------------------------------------
Flock type No. samples Min. Max. Mean Mode SEM Recommended Level
Broiler 16 134.0 254.2 192.7 134 8.3 240*
Breeder 16 107.6 206.8 168.1 107.6 16.3 -
Layer 36 124.5 316.8 198.2 124.5 8.1 256**
*(Borges et al., 2003a); **(Gezen et al., 2005)

-
Table 3: Area wise distribution of Sodium (Na+), Potassium (K+) and Chloride (Cl ) ions in water samples
------------------------------- Ionic concentration (ppm) ---------------------------------
Region Type of ion Min. Max. Mean Mode SEM Maximum acceptable level*
Multan 13 Na+ 60 531 229 246 40 50
K+ 3 21 11 5 2 500
-
Cl 17.0 181 75.7 71.0 12.3 250
Rawalpindi 23 Na+ 25 110 51 32 11 50
K+ 1 4 2 2 0 500
Cl- 52.0 70 70.0 7.1 70.0 250
+
Sargodha 15 Na 6 44 24 12 3 50
K+ 4 25 9 4 2 500
Cl- 17.0 246 75.2 48.0 15.7 250
(Carter and Sneed, 1987)

Breeder diets: A total of 16 breeder diets had a lower (Oviedo-Rondon et al., 2001). The DEB level was as low
level of Na+ (mean = 1250 ppm), K+ (mean = 6600 ppm) as 134, 107.6 and 124.5 mEq/kg in broiler, breeder and
and Cl- (mean = 1983 ppm) concentration as compared layer flock’s diets, respectively.
to broiler’s diets. The range of the values showed
inconsistency with NRC recommendation. Out of 16 Water samples: Water samples were collected
samples, 14 samples had less Na+ level than NRC alongwith feed samples to investigate overall DEB. The
recommendation, whereas K+ level were higher than water samples showed an area wise distribution pattern
NRC recommended level in all samples. of Na+, K+ and Cl- concentration (Table 3). Water
samples (n = 13) collected from Multan area had a
Layer diets: The 36 diet samples used for layer flocks mean of Na+ concentration of 229 ppm which is good
showed a slightly higher level of Na+ (mean = 1978 ppm) and above the recommended level for poultry. However,
as compared to breeder diets as well as NRC the mean of K+ and Cl -level was found within the
recommendation. The level of K+ in a layer diet was as recommended level for poultry consumption (Carter and
high as 11000 ppm (1.1%), but the mean value (6681 Sneed, 1987). The 23 samples collected from
ppm) was in approximation with the recommendations Rawalpindi district had mean of Na+, K+ and Cl- concen-
(5000 ppm) of commercial management guide for layer tration of 51, 2 and 70 ppm, which were more suitable
production. The level of Cl- was higher than NRC for poultry use. Samples (n = 15) collected from
recommended level in 32 out of 36 samples analyzed Sargodha district had also very appropriate mineral
(Anonymous, 2007-08; Borges et al., 2003a,b; Nutrition composition for poultry usage, having mean of Na+, K+
and Council, 1994). and Cl- levels of 24, 9 and 75.2 ppm, respectively.
Table 2 showed the overall DEB in poultry diets of
different flock types. The results showed the mean of Conclusion: The DEB affects the bird’s performance and
DEB was 192.7, 168.1 and 192 mEq/kg in broiler, the optimal ratio was considered around 250 mEq/kg.
breeder and layer flocks, respectively. The mean of DEB The very high (340 and 360 mEq) and very low (0
level in broiler and layer diets was considerably low as mEq/kg) DEB can result in metabolic alkalosis and
per recommendation of Borges et al. (2003a) in acidosis, respectively. That is why such DEB should be
moderately high ambient temperature and humidity avoided while formulating diets. Similarly, excess or

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 Pak. J. Nutr., 12 (12): 1081-1084, 2013

deficiency of any particular mineral must be avoided Carter, T.A. and R.E. Sneed, 1987. Drinking water quality
while maintaining the DEB. The bird’s survivability during for poultry. PS and T Guide No. 42, Extension Poultry
heat stress depends on the water consumption, which Science, North Carolina State University, Raleigh,
depends directly on bird’s age and on DEB (Na+K-Cl) of N.C.
the diet. In the current study, the resulting DEB was Chapman, H.D. and P.F. Pratt, 1961. Methods of
slightly lower than recommended level for all three flock Analysis for Soils, Plants and Water: University of
types. The highest Na contents in water were observed California.
in Multan district, while two districts (Sargodha and Fixter, M., D. Balnave and R.J. Johnson, 1987. The
Rawalpindi) had much suitable ionic contents in water influence of dietary electrolyte balance broiler
for poultry consumption. growth at high temperatures. Proc. Foundation
Symp., Uni. Sydney Aust., 34-48.
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