17 M. S. Younas M. S. Butt I. Pasha M. Shahid Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20152015/08/01 25 4 1140-1145 1018-7081 NA <p>Worldwide, the zinc deficiency has appeared as one of the alarming issues amongst the poor nations. In current exploration, apricots were applied with edible coatings (chitosan and alginate) @ 1 and 2% along with fortification with zinc sulfate and zinc chloride @ 30 &amp; 50 ppm concentration. The experimental diets along with a control were fed to rabbits (150 g/day/rabbit) along with normal diet in a completely randomized design for a period of 56 days. The consumption of zinc fortified chitosan and alginate coated apricots imparted substantial effect on immunity level of the body. The T-lymphocytes and hemoglobin of experimental rabbits were significantly improved by the provision of zinc fortified apricots with maximum T-lymphocytes and hemoglobin were observed in G3 (apricot containing 2% chitosan coating with 50 ppm ZnSO4) 22.34&plusmn;1.29 &amp; 13.07&plusmn;0.53 % followed by G1 (apricot containing 2% alginate coating with 50 ppm ZnSO4) G4 (apricot containing 2% chitosan coating with 50 ppm ZnCl2) and G2 (apricot containing 2% alginate coating with 50 ppm ZnCl2) as 22.21&plusmn;1.35 &amp; 12.94&plusmn;0.47, 22.02&plusmn;1.14 &amp; 12.78&plusmn;0.45 and 21.50&plusmn;1.14 &amp; 12.61&plusmn;0.51 % as comparison to G0 by 21.22&plusmn;1.13 &amp; 12.32&plusmn;0.36 %, respectively. From current findings, it can be concluded that zinc fortification through edible based coating is a pragmatic approach to triumph over hidden hunger with special reference to zinc.</p> Zinc fortification, Edible coatings, Chitosan, Alginate, Apricot Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2015-JAPS-152