ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine the effect of the administration of Salix leaves extract on the breast meat
percentage, pH, crude fat percentage and cholesterol content in broiler chickens. Subjects used were 12
broiler chickens aged 15 days old that were randomly assigned into 3 treatment groups with 4 replications
each. All chickens were placed in individual cages with constant temperature of 25 ± 1 C and relative
humidity (RH) of 50-55%, and given normal rations and drinking water supplemented with Salix extract of
0 mg/L (P0 control), 50 mg/L (P1), and 100 mg/L (P2). The rations and drinking water were given
throughout the day (ad libitum) and renewed every 6 hours. On day 28, all chickens were sacrified for
breast meat and abdominal fat collections. Breast meat percentage was measured by dividing breast
meat and total carcass in percent, and its pH, crude fat percentage and cholesterol content were
measured using pH-meter, Sochlet and Liebermen-Burchard methods, respectively. The results showed
that the administration of Salix extract did not result in significant influence (P>0.05) on the breast meat
percentage, pH and crude fat percentage of broiler chickens, but very significantly influence (p< 0.01) its
cholesterol content.

Keywords: Salix tetrasperma Roxb, breast meat, pH, crude fat, cholesterol level.