Effect of age and different doses of dietary vitamin E on breast meat qualitative characteristics of finishing broilers

Feeding Behavior, Growth Performance and Meat Quality Profile in Broiler Chickens Fed Multiple Levels of Xylooligosaccharides

A total of 240 1-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chickens were randomly distributed to 4 treatment groups with 6 replicates and 10 birds per replicate. Chickens were fed with corn-soybean meal diet supplementation with additions of 0, 150, 300, and 450 mg/kg XOS for 42 days. At 4 weeks of age, the average feeding time was reduced in the 450 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05), and the percentage of feeding time was increased in the 300 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05). At 5 weeks of age, broilers fed with 300 mg/kg XOS had increased the percentage of feeding time (p < 0.05), and 450 mg/kg XOS had increased the feeding frequency and percentage of feeding time (p < 0.05). At 6 weeks of age, the feeding frequency was highest in the 450 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05). During 4 to 6 weeks of age, the average feeding time was increased in 300 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05), the frequency was improved in the 450 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05), and the percentage of feeding time was longer in the XOS group than that in the control group (p < 0.05). The average daily gain was improved during days 22-42 and days 1-42 in the 150 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05). Broilers fed with 300 mg/kg XOS had an increased eviscerated rate (p < 0.05). The pH45min of breast muscle was highest in the 450 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05), as well as the pH45min and pH24h of thigh muscle, which improved in the 300 mg/kg and 450 mg/kg XOS groups (p < 0.05). In addition, the cooking loss of thigh muscle was reduced in the 300 mg/kg XOS group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with XOS had positive effects on the feeding behavior, growth performance, and meat quality of broiler chickens.

Using Natural Zeolite as a Feed Additive in Broilers' Diets for Enhancing Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality Traits

BACKGROUND

Using natural zeolites as a food additive in poultry diets offers an intriguing perspective. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of zeolite addition and particle size on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, meat quality, moisture of excreta and litter, and intestinal measurements during 35 days.

METHODS

A total of 560 1-day-old female Ross-308 broilers were divided into five treatment levels (0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 g zeolite/kg diet) (n = 16 replicates/treatment, n = 8 replicates /particle size of each treatment). Performance was calculated weekly. Carcass characteristics, meat quality, small intestine (SI) measurements, litter pH, and moisture content were determined on day 35.

RESULTS

Litter pH, breast redness, cooking loss, chewiness, total weight, and SI length were all affected by zeolite treatments (p < 0.05). Particle size had an impact on the gastric pH and texture analysis. Their interaction had an effect on color redness, litter pH, and cooking loss. Performance was unaffected by either the main or interaction effects.

CONCLUSION

Zeolite as a feed additive may be useful in broiler diets, particularly large particles. The performance and production efficiency factor improved numerically (p > 0.05) with increasing zeolite doses up to 10 g zeolite/kg diet.

Effects of Plant-Based Antioxidants in Animal Diets and Meat Products: A Review

The perceived level of risk associated with a food product can influence purchase and consumption decisions. Thus, current trends in food safety address an issue of general interest-the identification of healthy and economical alternatives to synthetic antioxidants that may have harmful effects on human health. Still, the processors' target is to increase the shelf life of food products using preserving substances. Natural antioxidants can be extracted and used in the food industry from different plants, such as blueberry, broccoli, chokeberry, cinnamon, ginger, olives, oregano, etc. The identification of the main natural antioxidant types that have been used in the food industry is very important in order to provide a comprehensive analysis of the researched topic. In this regard, the aim of this paper was to illustrate the positive aspects of using natural antioxidants with preservative roles in meat products, while, at the same time, highlighting the potential risks induced by these compounds. All of those aspects are correlated with the impact of sensorial attributes and the improvement of the nutritional value of meat products.

Omega-3 meat enrichment and L-FABP, PPARA, and LPL genes expression are modified by the level and period of tuna oil supplementation in slow-growing chickens

This study proposes a strategy to manipulate the fatty acid (FA) content in slow-growing Korat chicken (KRC) meat using tuna oil (TO). To determine the optimal level and feeding period of TO supplementation, we conducted a study investigating the effects of dietary TO levels and feeding periods on meat quality, omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (n-3 PUFA) composition, and gene expression related to FA metabolism in KRC breast meat. At 3 wk of age, 700 mixed-sex KRC were assigned to seven augmented factorial treatments with a completely randomized design, each consisting of four replicate pens containing 25 chickens per pen. The control group received a corn-soybean-based diet with 4.5% rice bran oil (RBO), while varying amounts of TO (1.5%, 3.0%, or 4.5%) replaced a portion of the RBO content in the experimental diets. The chickens were fed these diets for 3 and 6 wk, respectively, before being slaughtered at 9 wk. Our results indicated no significant interactions between TO levels and feeding periods on the growth performance or meat quality of KRC (P > 0.05). However, the liver fatty acid-binding protein gene (L-FABP, also known as FABP1), responsible for FA transport and accumulation, showed significantly higher expression in the chickens supplemented with 4.5% TO (P < 0.05). The chickens supplemented with 4.5% TO for a longer period (3 to 9 wk of age) exhibited the lowest levels of n-6 PUFA and n-6 to n-3 ratio, along with the highest levels of eicosapentaenoic acid, docosahexaenoic acid, and n-3 PUFA in the breast meat (P < 0.05). However, even a short period of supplementation with 4.5% TO (6 to 9 wk of age) was adequate to enrich slow-growing chicken meat with high levels of n-3 PUFA, as recommended previously. Our findings indicated that even a short period of tuna oil supplementation could lead to desirable levels of omega-3 enrichment in slow-growing chicken meat. This finding has practical implications for the poultry industry, providing insights into optimal supplementation strategies for achieving desired FA profiles without adversely affecting growth performance or meat quality.

Evaluating the impact of organic chromium with flax seed in broiler diets: effects on production performance, breast muscle pathology, and meat quality aspects

The study investigated the impact of organic chromium (Cr) and flax seed supplementation on live performance, carcass yield, muscle lipid profile, histopathological aspects, and meat quality parameters in broilers. Ninety (n = 90), day-old Cobb chicks were fed a corn-soybean meal-based diet containing 0% flax seed (Control), 10% flax seed (Diet 1) and Diet 1 + 0.05% organic Cr (Diet 2). The experiment was a completely randomized design and chicks were placed in 6 pens with 5 chicks per each pen. Pen was the experimental unit for production performance and bird collected from each pen was considered as experimental unit for all other analysis. On d 43, 45, and 48, one bird per pen were euthanized. A one-way ANOVA was performed with diet as the main factor and significance was set at P < 0.05. Significant differences between each treatment were analyzed by GLM Lean Square Method and Tukey's Honestly Significant Difference test. Weight gain and feed:gain was determined at d (1-11), (12-21), and (22-42). For all response variables, the effects among dietary treatments were compared using ANOVA separately using SAS 9.4. P -values were considered significant at ≤0.05. At d 22, Diet 1 and Diet 2 birds had lower BW and feed:gain than Control (P < 0.05). At d 42, Diet 2 birds were higher in BW with improved feed:gain when compared to Diet 1 (P < 0.05) but were not different from Control (P > 0.05). The overall weight gain was higher in Diet 2 and Control compared to Diet 1 (P < 0.05) and overall feed:gain was the highest in Control than the experimental diets (P < 0.05). Histopathological changes in breast muscle including floccular/vacuolar degeneration, fibrosis, lipidosis, interstitial inflammation, and muscle lysis were less pronounced in Diet 1 compared to Diet 2 (P < 0.05). Breast muscle total fat and cholesterol was lower in Diet 1 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Diet 1 and Diet 2 increased (>2-5 fold) total and long chain (≥20C) n-3 fatty acids (FA) in the breast muscle (P < 0.05) compared to Control. Lipid peroxidation products measured as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances were lower in the breast muscle of Diet 1 and Diet 2 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Phospholipid n-3 FA molecular species in phosphatidylcholine (PC) 36:5, 38:6, and phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) 36:5 were higher in breast muscle of Diet 1 than Control (P < 0.05) and was not different from Diet 2 (P > 0.05). A decrease in n-6 FA species (36:4 and 38:4) was observed in PC and PE of Diet 1and Diet 2 compared to Control (P < 0.05). Drip loss values were reduced in Diet 1 and Diet 2 versus Control (P < 0.05). As consumer demand for n-3 FA-rich poultry products are on the rise, Cr may serve as a feed supplement that could be used in broilers fed flax seed-containing diets for enriching edible tissues with n-3 FA, while enhancing production performance.

Influences of Dietary Vitamin E, Selenium-Enriched Yeast, and Soy Isoflavone Supplementation on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Capacity, Carcass Traits, Meat Quality and Gut Microbiota in Finishing Pigs

This study investigated the effects of dietary compound antioxidants on growth performance, antioxidant capacity, carcass traits, meat quality, and gut microbiota in finishing pigs. A total of 36 barrows were randomly assigned to 2 treatments with 6 replicates. The pigs were fed with a basal diet (control) or the basal diet supplemented with 200 mg/kg vitamin E, 0.3 mg/kg selenium-enriched yeast, and 20 mg/kg soy isoflavone. Dietary compound antioxidants decreased the average daily feed intake (ADFI) and feed to gain ratio (F/G) at d 14−28 in finishing pigs (p < 0.05). The plasma total protein, urea nitrogen, triglyceride, and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations were decreased while the plasma glutathione (GSH) to glutathione oxidized (GSSG) ratio (GSH/GSSG) was increased by compound antioxidants (p < 0.05). Dietary compound antioxidants increased loin area and b* value at 45 min, decreased backfat thickness at last rib, and drip loss at 48 h (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of colonic Peptococcus at the genus level was increased and ileal Turicibacter_sp_H121 abundance at the species level was decreased by dietary compound antioxidants. Spearman analysis showed a significant negative correlation between the relative abundance of colonic Peptococcus and plasma MDA concentration and meat drip loss at 48 h. Collectively, dietary supplementation with compound antioxidants of vitamin E, selenium-enrich yeast, and soy isoflavone could improve feed efficiency and antioxidant capacity, and modify the backfat thickness and meat quality through modulation of the gut microbiota community.

Effects of dietary supplementation with selenium yeast and jujube powder on mitochondrial oxidative damage and apoptosis of chicken

The main objective of this study was to explore the effects of dietary selenium yeast and jujube powder on mitochondrial oxidative damage and cell apoptosis of broilers during postmortem aging, chicken breasts of broilers fed diets supplemented with different concentrations of selenium yeast and jujube powder were used as research subjects. With the prolongation of postmortem aging time, the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS), carbonyl content, mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) openness, and mitochondrial membrane permeability increased significantly (P < 0.05). The contents of the sulfhydryl, mitochondrial membrane potential, shear force, and cytochrome C (Cyt-c) reduction level decreased significantly (P < 0.05). The activity of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 increased from 0 to 24 h postmortem but fell from 24 to 72 h postmortem. Compared with the control group, dietary selenium yeast and jujube powder significantly reduced mitochondrial oxidative damage. They greatly increased the shear force, mitochondrial membrane potential, and Cyt-c reduction levels (P < 0.05). Among them, the combination group of high-dose selenium yeast and jujube powder had more significant effects on ROS scavenging, reducing cell membrane permeability, protecting cell membrane integrity, and increasing Cyt-c reduction level (P < 0.05). In conclusion, cell apoptosis intensifies during the chicken breast's aging time, and muscle tenderness continues. Still, different doses of dietary selenium yeast and jujube powder can inhibit mitochondrial oxidation to various degrees. The combined group of selenium yeast and jujube powder with 0.6 mg·kg⁻¹ has the best effect. This study is of great significance for applying natural antioxidant ingredients such as selenium yeast and jujube powder in the development and utilization of poultry feed.

Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation levels on growth performance, breast muscle meat quality characteristics, and fatty acid composition of geese

This study investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with vitamin E (VE) on the growth performance, breast muscle quality, fatty acid (FA) composition, and muscle fiber characteristics of geese. In the present study, a total of 240 healthy 29-day-old male Jiangnan white geese were randomly divided into six experimental groups, with five replicates in each group and eight geese in each replicate. Group A, the control group, was fed a basal diet; Groups B, C, D, E, and F were fed diets supplemented with 5, 10, 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg VE. After feeding for 70 days of age, one gosling from each replicate was randomly selected and slaughtered to assess the breast muscle quality characteristics, lipid oxidation, FA composition, and muscle fiber characteristics. The results showed that dietary VE supplementation did not significantly affect the growth performance, breast muscle quality characteristics, or muscle fiber characteristics of geese (p > 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 20, 40, and 80 mg/kg VE significantly decreased the malondialdehyde (MDA) content of the breast muscle compared with the control group (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation with 40 and 80 mg/kg VE significantly increased the retention of α-tocopherol in pectoral muscle, decreased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) oxidation, and increased the proportion of n-3 PUFAs (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation with 5-80 mg/kg VE to the basal diet (VE content of the basal diet: 17.53 mg/kg) had no significant effect on the growth performance of geese. However, dietary supplementation with 40-80 mg VE increased the retention of α-tocopherol in breast muscle tissue, reduced the oxidation of PUFAs, and increased the content of n-3 PUFAs. Thus, under these experimental conditions, dietary supplementation with 40-80 mg/kg VE is recommended, which is beneficial to human health. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Appropriate supplementation of VE could increase meat quality and the beneficial components in breast muscle of geese. It provides a theoretical basis for future production of high-quality goose meat.

Effect of stocking density and vitamin E or zinc supplementation on growth, physiology, gene expression, and economic efficiency of growing broiler chicks

A total of 636 1-day-old male Cobb chicks were randomly assigned to seven treatments. The chicks were offered feed and water ad libitum throughout the experimental period. The first three groups included different stocking densities of broiler birds (low stocking density, LSD: 23 kg/m²; medium stocking density, MSD: 34 kg birds/m²; and high stocking density HSD: 39 kg birds/m²). The LSD group was considered a control group. The other four groups included MSD or HSD broiler birds supplemented with either Vit E (100 mg/kg DM diet; MSDVE and HSDVE) or Zn (100 mg/kg DM diet; MSDZn and HSDZn) in their basal diet. The main findings indicated that HSD and MSD negatively affected (p < 0.05) all variables under investigation compared with LSD. Compared with LSD, broiler birds in the MSD and HSD groups had lower body weights and higher feed conversion ratios, higher concentrations of blood plasma hormones (triiodothyronine thyroxine and corticosterone), and downregulated expression levels of hepatic growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor-l. In addition, broiler birds stocked at medium or high densities resulted in less economic return and profit. Vit E or Zn supplementation to broiler birds stocked at medium or high densities significantly reversed all adverse effects of HSD (> 23 kg/m²) on growth performance, hormones, and gene expression. It could be recommended that adding Zn at a level of 100 mg/kg per DM diet allows increasing the stocking density of broiler birds from 23 kg/m² to 34 birds/m² while maintaining the birds, welfare and economic profit.

Vitamin E Supplementation Enhances Lipid Oxidative Stability via Increasing Vitamin E Retention, Rather Than Gene Expression of MAPK-Nrf2 Signaling Pathway in Muscles of Broilers

Dietary vitamin E (VE) supplementation is a method to produce VE-enriched meat and improve meat lipid oxidative stability. We aimed to study the effect of the VE supplementation duration on meat lipid oxidative stability, VE retention, and antioxidant enzymes’ activity, and explore its relationship with the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK)-nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway in broilers slaughtered after electrical stunning. A total of 240 male 18-day-old Arbor Acres Plus broilers were distributed to four treatments, with six replicates in each treatment, and ten broilers per replicate. Broilers were fed with a basal diet (no supplementation of VE) or VE diet (200 IU/kg VE, DL-α- tocopherol) for one (W1), two (W2), or three (W3) weeks before electrical stunning (130 mA, 60 Hz, for 1s) and slaughter. The VE retention was positively and linearly affected (p < 0.01) by the VE feeding duration at one to three weeks before slaughter, and negatively (all p < 0.01) related to the thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) content in both breast and thigh muscles at d 0, d 2, and d 6 postmortem. The VE retention was negatively (p < 0.05) related to the gene expression of c-Jun N-terminal kinases 1 (JNK1) and 2 (JNK2), Nrf2 in breast muscles, and JNK1 and p38 MAPK in thigh muscles. In conclusion, dietary vitamin E supplementation at 200 IU/kg for three weeks before electrical stunning and slaughter improved lipid oxidative stability via increasing VE retention, rather than the regulation by gene expression of the MAPK-Nrf2 signaling pathway in skeletal muscles of broilers.