Effects of nanochitosan supplementation on productive performance of Japanese quail

The Effect of Phytogenic Additive in Broiler's Diet on Production Results, Physicochemical Parameters, and the Composition of Volatile Organic Compounds of Broiler Meat Assessed by an Electronic Nose System

The primary objective of this study was to investigate the impact of a phytogenic additive (PA) in broiler chickens' diet on production, physiochemical parameters, and the profile of volatile organic compounds present in broiler chickens' meat. The experiment was conducted in a commercial chicken house, where Ross 308 broiler chickens were divided into two groups, each consisting of 65,000 broilers. One group was fed a diet supplemented with 100 ppm of PA throughout the rearing period. The primary chemical composition of the meat and its physicochemical parameters were determined. A visual assessment of breast muscles for defects and volatile organic compounds were evaluated using an electronic nose system. No statistically significant differences were shown in the production performance of the chickens; while summarizing all production parameters, a higher EPEF index of 31 points in the experimental group was highlighted. Breast muscle quality showed differences in drip loss and WHC (p ≤ 0.01) in favor of the experimental group, and a lower cutting force value (p ≤ 0.05) was found for breast muscles from the experimental group. The group also had a lower proportion of muscles with a white striping defect, and the results of volatile organic compound profiling showed the most aroma units.

Interactive effects of dietary protein and nano-chitosan on growth performance, immune response, and histological aspects of lymphoid organs in broiler chickens

A feeding trial was conducted to assess the effect of partial replacement of dietary soybean meal by three plant protein sources: coconut, rocket seed, and black cumin meals with their combination in the presence or absence of nano-chitosan (NCH) on growth performance and immune response in broiler chickens. Five starter and grower diets were formulated and used from 1 to 42 days of age. The NCH was added to starter and grower diets at 1.0 g/kg. Five-hundred-fifty-day-old Arbor Acres Plus broiler chicks were randomly divided into ten treatments with five equal replications. Final body weight (FBW), body weight gain (BWG), feed intake (FI), feed conversion ratio (FCR), and blood plasma parameters were investigated. Histological aspects of lymphoid organs (thymus: T, bursa of Fabricius: B, and spleen: S) were characterized. Apart from added NCH, the FBW, BWG, and FCR of broilers fed the diets containing the tested plant proteins were significantly superior to the control ones. However, FI of birds fed the diets containing CM alone or combined with RSM plus BCM was significantly reduced. All experimental broilers displayed high plasma levels of IgG compared with the control group. There were significant increases in plasma concentrations of IgM, IgA, and T4 for groups that fed the diets containing RSM, BCM, and mixture of CM, RSM, and BCM compared with their controls. The T3 levels of broilers fed the tested plant proteins were significantly increased compared with the controls. Aside from plant protein source, broilers fed the NCH-enriched diets achieved significant increases in levels of IgM, TAC, and FSH and activities of CAT and SOD but reduced the MDA level compared with control. The interactions between plant protein source and added nano-chitosan were not interrelated. Furthermore, CM, RSM, and BCM can be used as complementary dietary proteins singly or combined with NCH with no adverse effects on growth performance. Addition of NCH molecules has a positive effect on live body weight and increases feed intake compared with control chicks.

Multifunctional role of chitosan in farm animals: a comprehensive review

The deacetylation of chitin results in chitosan, a fibrous-like material. It may be produced in large quantities since the raw material (chitin) is plentiful in nature as a component of crustacean (shrimps and crabs) and insect hard outer skeletons, as well as the cell walls of some fungi. Chitosan is a nontoxic, biodegradable, and biocompatible polygluchitosanamine that contains two essential reactive functional groups, including amino and hydroxyl groups. This unique chemical structure confers chitosan with many biological functions and activities such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidative, antitumor, immunostimulatory and hypocholesterolemic, when used as a feed additive for farm animals. Studies have indicated the beneficial effects of chitosan on animal health and performance, aside from its safer use as an antibiotic alternative. This review aimed to highlight the effects of chitosan on animal health and performance when used as a promising feed additive.