Resumen

MORON-FUENMAYOR, O. E et al. Effect of earthworm (Eisenia spp) meal inclusion on dressing and physical-chemical characteristics of quail meat (Coturnix coturnix japonica). Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2008, vol.25, n.4, pp.674-684. ISSN 0378-7818.

With the purpose of determining the effect of earthworm meal inclusion in the diet on dressing percentage, cuttability and physical-chemical quality of quail (Coturnix coturnix japónica) meat, an experiment was carried out during 42 days. A control group 1 (G1) received poultry concentrate (20% crude protein) and the second group 2 (G2) received the same poultry concentrate plus 6% earthworm meal (56% crude protein). Final average weight was of 144.5±14.09 g. Data was analyzed by using a completely randomized design. Statistical differences were detected (P<0.05) between treatments for dressing percentage (80.85 vs 83.19%, for G1 and G2, respectively). Breast meat resulted very tender for both treatments without being different (P<0.05). Ash (7.97 vs 4.13%) and fat (1.81 vs 1.44%) content were lower and protein content was higher (17.6 vs 19.16%) in meat from G2 quails. It was concluded that earthworm meal inclusion during 42 days, could represent a proteic complement to improve dressing percentage and nutritional profile of quail meat.

Palabras clave : earthworm meal; quail meat; dressing percentage.