Comparative effect of dietary Morinda lucida leaf and Butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) on carcass traits, meat quality, and oxidative stability of broiler chickens

Effects of Rumex nervosus leaf powder supplementation on carcasses compositions, small intestine dimensions, breasts color quality, economic feasibility in broiler chickens

Carcass characteristics, product quality, and the conversion of feed into meat with higher performance and feasibility are important determinants of the profitability and sustainability of any poultry enterprise. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential effect of Rumex nervosus leaf powder (RNLP) on carcass composition, small intestine dimensions, breast color quality, and economic feasibility of Ross broiler chickens. A total of 122 broilers were randomly distributed evenly among 4 treatments (0, 1, 3, and 5 g RNLP/ kg diet, n = 5 replicates per treatment, with 6 broilers per replicate: 3 ♀ and 3 ♂). Performance and economic data were collected in each replicate during the experiment. One male bird from each replication was examined for other criteria on d 34. Results showed that broilers fed 3 g of RNLP had a higher eviscerated carcass weight and dressing percentage (P < 0.05) than the control. The RNLP-fed broilers had higher weights and thicknesses in the duodenum and jejunum of up to 5 g and in the ileum and overall small intestine of up to 3 g. Broilers fed the lowest levels of RNLP had the highest revenue and net gain and the lowest cost-benefit ratio compared with those fed the highest levels of RNLP. The results indicate that the addition of RNLP has a positive effect on carcass processing, the intestinal measurements, and profitability ratios of the broilers. The 1 g RNLP/kg feed is the recommended dose to increase productivity and economic profitability ratios per kilogram of meat.

Evaluation of Carcass Attributes and Physical, Chemical, and Qualitative Characteristics of Breast Meat of Broiler Chickens Fed on Pulicaria jaubertii Powder

Pulicaria jaubertii (PJ) is a medicinal plant used as a synthetic antioxidant and as a traditional medicine due to its bioactive compounds. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of PJ on carcass traits and breast meat quality parameters of broiler chickens. Two hundred and forty male broilers (1 day old) were divided into four groups (0, 3, 6, and 9 g of PJ/kg of basal diet). Performance indicators were evaluated during the feeding stages, and carcass characteristics and physiochemical and qualitative parameters of breast meat were measured at 36 days old. The results showed that PJ improved performance parameters such as weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and production efficiency index (p < 0.05) in the finishing stage. The diets supplemented with PJ were associated with better carcass characteristics (p < 0.05), but some body parts, such as legs (6 and 9 g PJ) and backs (3-9 g PJ) decreased (p < 0.05). Temperature and initial pH were decreased by PJ (p < 0.05). Meat color was not affected by PJ (p > 0.05), although the yellowness and saturation index were lower at 9 g PJ. Total saturated fatty acid content was higher at 3 g PJ, while total polyunsaturated fatty acids and unsaturated to saturated fatty acid ratio were lower at 3 and 6 g PJ (p < 0.05). Total monounsaturated fatty acid content increased at 6 and 9 g PJ. Omega-6 fatty acids and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 were lower at 3 g PJ. PJ resulted in higher weight loss on cooking (6 and 9 g PJ) and shear force (3-9 g PJ). In conclusion, PJ had a positive influence on performance, carcass characteristics, and fatty acid profile, and some meat quality traits were generally improved by PJ, but knowledge of its mode of action is still limited and therefore requires further investigation.

Effects of Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal) Powder on Characteristics of Carcass and Breast Meat Quality Parameters in Male Broiler Chickens

Gum Arabic, one of the soluble fibers, is considered a source of natural prebiotics that can be fermented by the activity of the intestinal microbiota and, therefore, may have a positive effect on the performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality of broilers. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate the effects of gum Arabic on performance, carcass characteristics, physicochemical properties, and quality of broiler breast meat. Six dietary treatments (T1-T5) with a basal diet (CON) containing 0.12%, 0.25%, 0.5%, 0.75%, and 1.0% gum Arabic, respectively. A total of 432 one-day-old male broiler chickens were conducted for 35 days. Performance and carcass characteristics, as well as physical, qualitative, and chemical indicators of breast meat, were evaluated. The results showed that the treatments improved overall performance (p < 0.05), such as body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and performance index, except for feed intake, which was lower at T1, T2, and T5 than at CON. Carcass characteristics, body components, and breast meat color or initial pH were not affected by dietary treatments (p > 0.05), but ultimate pH (T1 and T2) and color lightness were comparatively lower, and color change (T2-T3) was comparatively higher. Cooking water loss (T2-T4) and shear force (T1-T5) were higher in the treatments. Cohesiveness and resilience were higher in T2, while gumminess and chewiness were lower in T4 and T5. T1 breast meat had higher crude protein content and lower crude fat content, but the other chemical compositions were not affected by the treatments. Some fatty acids in the breast meat were more affected by treatments compared to CON. In conclusion, the present findings showed that gum Arabic (0.12% to 0.75%) has favorable effects on growth performance and some quality indicators of breast meat (such as cooking water loss, shear force, protein, and fat content), especially at the level of 0.12% with no alterations on the carcass characteristics and body components or physical indicators of breast meat.

Combined impact of lemongrass and spearmint herbs on performance, serum metabolites, liver enzymes, and meat quality of broiler

Objectives

This study aimed to assess the influence of feeding fresh lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) or spearmint (Mentha spicata) and their combination on performance, serum metabolites, liver enzymes, and meat quality in broilers.

Materials and Methods

A total of 168 day-old Indian River chicks were arbitrarily offered four experimental rations: (i) control ration (CT-R): corn-soya-based ration, (ii) lemongrass ration (LG-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of lemongrass; (iii) spearmint ration (SM-R): CT-R + 1.0% DM of spearmint; and (iv) lemongrass-spearmint ration (LS-R): CT-R + 0.5% DM from both lemongrass and spearmint. Each ration was given to 42 birds for a duration of 35 days, with 3 replications and 14 birds each.

Results

Elevated body weight gain was observed in LG-R (1,502 gm), LS-R (1,492 gm), and SM-R (1,474 gm) compared to CT-R (1,451 gm) (p = 0.078). Herbal rations successfully reduced almost 3%-5% of serum and meat total cholesterol concentrations compared to CT-R. Compared to CT-R, the highest zinc and iron concentrations of serum and meat were measured in LG-R and SM-R, respectively, while both minerals of serum and meat were observed to be better in LS-R (p < 0.05). Herbal rations significantly improved serum liver enzyme activity and ameliorated the red color of breast and thigh meat but failed to improve the lightness and yellowness of both types of meat compared to CT-R.

Conclusions

LG-R, SM-R, and LS-R improved bird performance, liver health, and meat color, and lowered serum and meat cholesterol levels. But among them, LS-R efficaciously increased the serum and meat zinc and iron concentrations.

Dietary supplementation of Allium cepa skin alters intramuscular fat, muscle cholesterol, and fatty acids in rabbits

BACKGROUND

The high polyunsaturated fatty acids content of rabbit meat predisposes it to oxidative deterioration, which often results in reduced product quality and shelf life. This fact highlights the need to improve the antioxidant status of rabbit meat. This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation of Allium cepa skin (ACS) on growth, carcass, intramuscular fat, muscle fatty acids, cholesterol content, meat quality, antioxidant status, and sensory attributes of hind leg muscle of rabbits. Sixty-three, 28-day-old, male New Zealand rabbits (654 ± 25 g) were randomly allocated into 21 pens of three rabbits. The pens were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments - ACS-0: basal diet (BD) only; ACS-25: BD + 25 g kg^-1 ACS; and ACS-50: BD + 50 g kg^-1 ACS - for 56 days and then euthanized.

RESULTS

Dietary ACS did not affect growth performance and retail cuts of rabbits. Muscle cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) in ACS-supplemented rabbits than in controls. Dietary ACS lowered (P < 0.05) dissectible fat, intramuscular fat content, C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:2n-6, and C20:4n-6 levels and enhanced (P < 0.05) C18:3n-3, C20:5n-3, C22:6n-3, and C22:5n-3 concentration. Dietary ACS increased muscle catalase activity in rabbits. Sensory qualities, malondialdehyde and carbonyl contents, and physicochemical attributes of hind leg muscle of rabbits after chill storage were not influenced by dietary ACS supplementation.

CONCLUSION

Supplementation with 50 g kg^-1 ACS reduced intramuscular fat and cholesterol content and improved muscle n-3 fatty acids without impairing the physicochemical and sensory properties of rabbit meat. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry.

Dietary Plukenetia conophora seed alters muscle cholesterol, antioxidant enzymes, and fatty acids in growing rabbits

The influence of dietary inclusion of Plukenetia conophora seed (PCS) on growth, carcass, muscle antioxidant enzymes, fatty acids, meat quality, and sensory attributes of Longissimus thoracis et lumburum muscle in rabbits was examined. Seventy-two, 28 d old male New Zealand rabbits (750 ± 20 g) were randomly allotted to diets containing either no PCS (PCS-0), 2.5% PCS (PCS-2.5) or 5% PCS (PCS-5) for eight weeks, and euthanized. PCS-5 rabbits had higher (P < 0.05) body and carcass weights than the PCS-0 rabbits. Dietary PCS improved feed efficiency in rabbits. Muscle antioxidant enzymes activities and total phenols were higher while muscle cholesterol was lower (P < 0.05) in supplemented meat than the PCS-0 meat. The concentration of C22:6n-3, C20:5n-3 and C18:3n-3 was higher (P < 0.05) in the supplemented meat than the PCS-0 meat. Sensory attributes, carbonyl, and TBARS values and physicochemical properties of meat did not differ among diets. Supplementation of PCS-5 enhances muscle n-3 fatty acids without impairing the sensory properties, and oxidative stability of rabbit meat.

Dietary supplementation of Solanum aethiopicum and Solanecio biafrae leaves alters stress and immune responses, antioxidant status, and meat quality in broilers raised in a hot-dry environment

1. This study investigated the influence of dietary supplementation of Solanum aethiopicum and Solanecio biafrae leaves, which have nutraceutical properties, on stress response, cytokine expression, antioxidant status, blood chemistry, abdominal fat and meat quality in broilers reared in a hot, dry environment.2. One day old, Ross 308 chicks (n = 350) were randomly allotted to basal diets containing either no supplement (D1); 2.5 g/kg Solanum aethiopicum leaf (SAL; D2); 5 g/kg SAL (D3); 2.5 g/kg Solanecio biafrae leaf (SBL; D4); or 5 g/kg SBL (D5) for 42 d. Birds were reared at 34 ± 2°C and 40-50% relative humidity for 6 h/d from 22-42 d. Each dietary group was replicated in seven pens containing 10 chicks.3. In the period 1-21 d, body weight gain, feed efficiency and feed intake were not influenced by diet. At 22-42 and 1-42 d, birds supplemented with SAL and SBL had higher (P < 0.05) body weight gain and feed efficiency than the D1 birds. Cloaca temperature, carcase cuts and relative organ weight did not differ between diets. The D3 birds had higher (P < 0.05) erythrocytes and haemoglobin compared with other birds. Dietary supplements reduced (P < 0.05) mortality, abdominal fat, serum total cholesterol, corticosterone, glucose and blood aspartate aminotransferase levels.4. The treatments up-regulated (P < 0.05) splenic intelukin-10, and down-regulated (P < 0.05) tumour necrosis factor-α and interleukin-1β genes. A dose-dependent improvement (P < 0.05) in antioxidant enzyme activities and total antioxidant capacity of serum and breast muscle were found in the supplemented birds. The breast meat of the supplemented birds had lower (P < 0.05) carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents, and higher (P < 0.05) water holding capacity and redness compared with the non-supplemented meat.5. These results illustrated that supplementation with either 5 g/kg SAL or 5 g/kg SBL attenuated the deleterious effects of heat stress in broiler chickens.

Influence of Crescentia cujete and Launaea taraxacifolia leaves on growth, immune indices, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, carcass, and meat quality in broiler chickens

The rising concerns pertaining to the safety of synthetic supplements in livestock production have encouraged the exploration of potential alternatives. This study investigated the growth, gut microbiota, blood chemistry, immune indices, meat quality, and antioxidant status in broiler chickens supplemented with Crescentia cujete leaf (CCL), Launaea taraxacifolia leaf (LTL), and a combination of antibiotic (70% oxytetracycline + 30% neomycin) and tert-Butylhydroxyanisole. One-day-old Ross 308 chicks (n = 420) were randomly assigned to either T-1, basal diet (BD) only; T-2, BD + 0.4 g/kg antibiotic + 0.13 g/kg tert-butylhydroxyanisole; T-3, BD + 2.5 g/kg LTL; T-4, BD + 5 g/kg LTL; T-5, BD + 2.5 g/kg CCL; or T-6, BD + 5 g/kg CCL for 42 days. Each dietary group had seven replicates with ten chicks per replicate. Body weight gain and carcass weight were higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, T-5, and T-6 birds compared with those of other birds. At 1-21 days, the T-2 and T-4 birds consumed more feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. At 22-42 days, the T-4 birds consumed more (P < 0.05) feed than the T-1 and T-3 birds. During 1-42 days, the T-1 and T-3 birds consumed less (P < 0.05) feed than other birds. At 22-42 days and 1-42 days, the T-1 had lower feed efficiency (P < 0.05) than other birds except for the T-3 birds. The CCL and LTL birds had lower (P < 0.05) serum LDL cholesterol and higher HDL cholesterol compared with other birds. Hematology, splenic interleukin-1β, immunoglobulin M, ileal and caecal total aerobic bacteria counts, caecal Lactobacillus spp., and meat physicochemical properties were unaffected by diets. The T-1 birds had higher (P < 0.05) ileal and caecal Clostridium spp., E. coli, and Salmonella spp. compared with birds fed other diets. The CCL and LTL birds had higher ileal Lactobacillus counts. Splenic IL-10 was higher (P < 0.05) in the T-2, T-4, and T-6 birds compared with that in other birds. Dietary supplementation with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole repressed (P < 0.05) splenic tumor necrosis-α and immunoglobulin G. The T-1 breast meat had lower glutathione peroxidase and catalase. The T-4 meat had higher (P < 0.05) superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, and total antioxidant capacity compared with other meats. On day 3 postmortem, meats obtained from birds supplemented with CCL, LTL, and a combination of antibiotic and tert-butylhydroxyanisole had lower (P < 0.05) carbonyl and malondialdehyde contents than the meat from the non-supplemented birds. The 5 g/kg CCL and 5 g/kg LTL could be used as antimicrobial and antioxidant in broiler diets.

Fazea E, Suliman GM, Alhidary IA. Effect of Rumex nervosus Leaf Powder on the Breast Meat Quality, Carcass Traits, and Performance Indices of Eimeria tenella Oocyst-Infected Broiler Chickens

This work aimed to assess the effect of using the RNL on performance indices, carcass trait, and meat quality of broiler chicken infected with Eimeria tenella compared with commercially used anticoccidials salinomycin. Moreover, we compare these selected variables between infected medicated groups and a non-infected unmedicated group (UUT) and an infected unmedicated group (IUT). A total of 150 1-day-old Ross 308 mixed-sex broilers were divided into 6 groups. Birds in groups 1, 2, and 3 were fed basic diets supplemented with 1, 3, and 5 g of RNL/kg diet, respectively. Group 4 received a basic diet with 66 mg of salinomycin. The control groups (5 and 6) were given a basic diet with no RNL or salinomycin added. All groups except the negative controls were challenged with Eimeria tenella at 21 days old. Birds in RNL groups outperformed those in the IUT group in performance indices, and they have a similar effect to the salinomycin group. Enhancement-infected birds with RNL affected some chickens' carcass traits. Drip loss, water-holding capacity, and meat tenderness were improved by RNL inclusion (1 g) in the diet. In conclusion, the meat of infected birds receiving 1 g RNL had increased quality attributes, with preferable tenderness and springiness when compared to the IUT group. RNL could therefore also be considered a promising non-conventional feed source in the future. Further research is needed to optimize the use of RNL to improve broilers production and meat quality in both infected and non-infected conditions.

Influence of Anacardium occidentale leaf supplementation in broiler chicken diet on performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, immune status, carcass, and meat quality

1. This study investigated the growth performance, caecal microbiota, blood chemistry, splenic cytokines, serum immunoglobulins, carcase, meat quality and oxidative status of broiler chickens fed diets supplemented with Anacardium occidentale leaf powder (AOLP) in comparison with antibiotic and synthetic antioxidant.2. Three hundred and twenty, one-day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly allotted into four treatment groups consisting of eight pen replicates with 10 birds per pen. The treatment groups were T0, basal diet only; T1, basal diet + 0.4 g/kg oxytetracycline + 0.12 g/kg butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA); T2, basal diet + 2 g/kg AOLP and T3, basal diet + 4 g/kg AOLP. The birds were fed for 42 d when performance was assessed, and then euthanised.3. During 0-42 d, feed conversion ratio was higher (P = 0.033) in T0 birds compared with birds fed other diets. Diet did not affect carcase traits, organ weights, serum biochemical indices, and meat composition, pH, cook loss or meat colour. Supplemented birds had higher erythrocyte (P = 0.042) and haemoglobin (P = 0.025), and lower leukocytes (P = 0.012) compared with the T0 birds.4. Diet T3 upregulated (P = 0.020) splenic interleukin-10 compared with other diets. The T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) interleukin-6 and serum IgG and IgM compared with the supplemented birds. Caecal E. coli and Salmonella spp. counts were higher (P < 0.05) in T0 birds than in the supplemented groups. Lactobacillus spp. counts were higher (P = 0.001) in T3 birds than in those fed other diets. Breast and thigh meat from the T0 birds had higher (P < 0.05) TBARS value, and carbonyl content compared to the supplemented birds. The T0 breast meat had higher drip loss (P = 0.001) than meat from the supplemented birds.5. The results suggested that AOLP exhibited antimicrobial and antioxidant properties that were comparable to the responses to oxytetracycline and BHA (T1) in broiler diets. Nonetheless, the efficacy of AOLP needs to be verified under disease challenge or compromised health condition.