Camelina sativa as a sustainable and feasible feedstuff for laying poultry: A review

Abstract

Camelina sativa is a promising oilseed crop with unique characteristics, including rapid growth, drought and frost tolerance, low input requirements, and resistance to pests and diseases. It offers diverse applications in both feed and non-feed sectors, primarily due to its high levels of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and antioxidants. However, the presence of secondary plant metabolites in camelina restricts its use in poultry nutrition. These compounds may inhibit some digestive enzymes, increase digesta viscosity, and affect nutrients absorption, potentially compromising bird health and product quality. Various techniques, such as heat treatment, multi-enzyme supplementation, and copper supplementation, have been employed to mitigate the negative effects of these antinutritional compounds. Inclusion at high levels (>10%) of camelina by-products in poultry diets has been found to decrease nutrients digestibility and laying performance. Nonetheless, the inclusion of camelina by-products, particularly oil, in the diets resulted in comparable or improved egg quality. The egg yolk fatty acid profile exhibited a higher content of PUFA, reducing the n-6/n-3 ratio, thereby enhancing the nutritional value of eggs. Sensory evaluations showed no significant differences in product quality among diet groups. This review highlights the feeding value of camelina by-products and provides a comprehensive overview of the existing literature, focusing on digestibility, performance, and egg quality evaluation in laying poultry diets.