Reducing Salt (NaCl) Content of Seaweed (Turbinaria decurrens) before Being Used as Poultry Feed Ingredients

Background: Seaweed (Turbinaria decurrens) had been included 10% in broilers’ diets. However, it affected production performance of broilers due to the high in its NaCl content (11.20%). Broilers can only tolerate up to 0.5%, while ideal amount in broilers’ diets is 0.2% Na and 0.3% Cl. Thus, it is necessary to reduce NaCl content of this seaweed. Methods: This study was performed in a completely randomized design with 6 treatments and 4 replicates. Treatments were immersing duration (0, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 15 hours) of T. decurrens in running water. Measured variables were NaCl, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude fiber contents of T. decurrens. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance of completely randomized design and differences among treatment means were detected by Duncan multiple range test. Result: Immersing duration significantly affected (P less than 0.05) all measured variables (NaCl, dry matter, organic matter, crude protein and crude fiber contents). Immersing duration up to 15 hours reduced NaCl, dry matter and crude fiber, but increased organic matter and crude protein contents. The best treatment for reducing NaCl of T. decurrens was by immersing it in running water for 15 hours.