EFFECT OF ZINC FORTIFIED EDIBLE COATED APRICOTS ON HEMATOLOGY IN RABBITS Authors: M. S. Younas, M. S. Butt, I. Pasha, M. Shahid Journal: Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences (JAPS) ISSN: 1018-7081 (Print), 2309-8694 (Online) Volume: 25 Issue: 4 Pages: 1140-1145 Year: 2015 DOI: NA URL: https://doi.org/NA Publisher: Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum Abstract:

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 & 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±1.29 & 13.07±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±1.35 & 12.94±0.47, 22.02±1.14 & 12.78±0.45 and 21.50±1.14 & 12.61±0.51 % as comparison to G0 by 21.22±1.13 & 12.32±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.

Keywords: Zinc fortification, Edible coatings, Chitosan, Alginate, Apricot