Predictive equations for metabolizable energy content of babassu for broilers

Abstract

This study aimed to develop equations to predict the values of apparent metabolizable energy (AME) and apparent metabolizable energy corrected for nitrogen balance (AMEn) of babassu (Orbignya martiana) for broilers. A literature review was performed to identify studies that evaluated the chemical composition (dry matter, DM; crude protein, CP; ether extract, EE) and energy values (gross energy, GE, AME and AMEn) the babassu for birds. We calculated the correlation coefficients of Pearson, to check the association between chemicals components and the energy values. Subsequently, data were analyzed by simple and multiple linear regressions using the Stepwise technique, considering a significance level equal or inferior to 5%. The equations recommended to correct the energy content of babassu depending on their chemical composition, on wet matter basis, are: AME (kcal / kg)= -3517.25 + 79.78 EE + 1.157 CE (R2 = 0.927; P = 0.019) and AMEn (kcal/kg) = -2909.80 + 71.707 EE + 0.979 CE (R2 = 0.973; P = 0.005). The equations were evaluated by calculating the correlation coefficients (r) between the values predicted and those observed in metabolism trials with birds. Were observed high correlations between the measured values and those predicted for the AME (r = 0.97) and for the AMEn (r = 0.95).