Prebiotics offered to broiler chicken exert positive effect on meat quality traits irrespective of delivery route

Strategies to combat heat stress in poultry production-A review

The effects of heat stress (HS) caused by high temperatures continue to be a global concern in poultry production. Poultry birds are homoeothermic, however, modern-day chickens are highly susceptible to HS due to their inefficiency in dissipating heat from their body due to the lack of sweat glands. During HS, the heat load is higher than the chickens' ability to regulate it. This can disturb normal physiological functioning, affect metabolism and cause behavioural changes, respiratory alkalosis and immune dysregulation in birds. These adverse effects cause gut dysbiosis and, therefore, reduce nutrient absorption and energy metabolism. This consequently reduces production performances and causes economic losses. Several strategies have been explored to combat the effects of HS. These include environmentally controlled houses, provision of clean cold water, low stocking density, supplementation of appropriate feed additives, dual and restricted feeding regimes, early heat conditioning and genetic selection of poultry lines to produce heat-resistant birds. Despite all these efforts, HS still remains a challenge in the poultry sector. Therefore, there is a need to explore effective strategies to address this long-lasting problem. The most recent strategy to ameliorate HS in poultry is early perinatal programming using the in ovo technology. Such an approach seems particularly justified in broilers because chick embryo development (21 days) equals half of the chickens' posthatch lifespan (42 days). As such, this strategy is expected to be more efficient and cost-effective to mitigate the effects of HS on poultry and improve the performance and health of birds. Therefore, this review discusses the impact of HS on poultry, the advantages and limitations of the different strategies. Finally recommend a promising strategy that could be efficient in ameliorating the adverse effects of HS in poultry.

Improving quality of poultry and its meat products with probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts

Remarkable changes have occurred in poultry farming and meat processing in recent years, driven by advancements in breeding technology, feed processing technology, farming conditions, and management practices. The incorporation of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts has made significant contributions to the development of poultry meat products that promote both health and functionality throughout the growth phase and during meat processing. Poultry fed with these substances improve meat quality, while incorporating probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts in poultry processing, as additives or supplements, inhibits pathogens and offers health benefits to consumers. However, it is vital to assess the safety of functional fermented meat products containing these compounds and their potential effects on consumer health. Currently, there's still uncertainty in these aspects. Additionally, research on utilizing next-generation probiotic strains and synergistic combinations of probiotics and prebiotics in poultry meat products is in its early stages. Therefore, further investigation is required to gain a comprehensive understanding of the beneficial effects and safety considerations of these substances in poultry meat products in the future. This review offered a comprehensive overview of the applications of probiotics and prebiotics in poultry farming, focusing on their effects on nutrient utilization, growth efficiency, and gut health. Furthermore, potential of probiotics, prebiotics, and phytoextracts in enhancing poultry meat production was explored for improved health benefits and functionality, and possible issues associated with the use of these substances were discussed. Moreover, the conclusions drawn from this review and potential future perspectives in this field are presented.

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.

Effects of dietary supplementation of probiotic and Spirulina platensis microalgae powder on growth performance immune response, carcass characteristics, gastrointestinal microflora and meat quality in broilers chick

BACKGROUND

With the potential development of human pathogenic bacteria resistant to antibiotics, the use of antibiotics as growth promoter in poultry production was banned in different countries, and it has forced the poultry industry to consider 'Biologically safer' alternatives to antibiotics, among which the probiotics and microalgae can be mentioned.

OBJECTIVE

Present study aimed to compare Spirulina platensis microalgae in combination with a native probiotic as an alternative to antibiotics.

METHODS

336 male broiler chicks were allotted into 7 treatments and 4 repetitions in a completely randomised design to evaluate chick's performance and immune response to different treatment based on indexes as feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, humoral immunity, carcass characteristics, thigh and breast pH, intestinal morphology and microbial population. European production efficiency coefficient was also reported.

RESULTS

No significant difference was appeared in the pH of thigh and breast meat (p > 0.05). Supplementation of diets with SP_0.3 revealed better villi height, villi length to crypt depth ratio and villi surface. With significant difference (p < 0.05), the highest and lowest colonies of Lactobacillus and E. coli were recorded for PR_0.5 SP_0.3 treatments.

CONCLUSIONS

Supplementation of broilers diets either with probiotic prepared from the microorganism isolated of native birds (1 g/kg) or S. platensis (0.2 g/kg) alone and their combination (0.3 g/kg of S. platensis in combination with 0.5 g/kg of native probiotic) are promising and can be a good alternative to antibiotics, lead to progress of broiler's performance.

Effect of unripe banana flour as a functional feed ingredient on growth performance, internal organ relative weight and carcass traits of broilers

BACKGROUND

Following the prohibition of in-feed antibiotics, poultry nutritionists are increasingly interested in the use of functional feed. Unripe banana flour (UBF) contains significant amounts of oligosaccharides (which may act as prebiotics) and antioxidants, making it a potential functional feed for broilers. However, research on the use of UBF as a functional feed ingredient for broilers is limited.

OBJECTIVES

The study investigated the effect of UBF with or without probiotic and multienzyme on growth, internal organ weight and carcass characteristics of broilers.

METHODS

A total of 392 broiler chicks were distributed into 4 groups included CONT (chicks receiving control feed), UBF (chicks receiving 5% UBF in feed), UBFPRO (5% UBF plus 0.05% probiotics) and UBFZYM (5% UBF plus 0.05% multienzyme). Data on growth performance were weekly recorded, whereas data on internal organs and carcass were collected on day 38.

RESULTS

Feed conversion ratio (FCR) was lower (p < 0.05) in UBF, UBFPRO and UBFZYM than that in CONT chicks, with no significant difference in body weight, body weight gain and feed intake. There was a tendency that gizzard was higher (p = 0.08) in CONT than in UBF chicks. Also, pancreas tended (p = 0.09) to be lower in UBFZYM than in CONT birds. There was a notable effect (p < 0.05) of dietary treatments on the yellowness (b*) values of thigh meats, in which UBFPRO had lower b* values than that of CONT but did not differ from that of UBF and UBFZYM. There was no difference (p < 0.05) in carcass and commercial proportion of broilers.

CONCLUSIONS

Feeding of 5% UBF with or without probiotic and multienzyme improved FCR, without negatively affecting the carcass characteristics of broilers.

Emerging in ovo technologies in poultry production and the re-discovered chicken model in preclinical research

Prenatal programming is a concept based on assumptions that the events occurring in critical points of embryonic development may pose epigenetic changes resulting from chemical rearrangements on the DNA structure. Epigenetic changes may pose life lasting phenotypic effects in the animal, or can be heritable, like gene silencing associated with methylation in gene promoters regions. The technical advancements in biotechnology, bioinformatics, molecular techniques and robotization have brought to new technological applications in poultry production. Intentional stimulation of embryonic development and determination of the future health of the hatched organism is possible by in ovo application of natural antioxidants and prebiotics, gut stabilizers like probiotics and other immunological enhancements, including vaccines. In parallel, the fine-tuned and generally accessible techniques of chicken embryo incubation along with the novel tissue engineering tools have led to focus the attention of scientists on chicken embryo as the alternative animal model for some pre-clinical approaches, in the context of reducing and replacing the experiments on animals. In this chapter, some key highlights are provided on current achievements in poultry embryonic applications, with the attention put to the emerging in ovo technologies (in ovo feeding, immunological stimulation and in ovo oncological tools), that address the societal challenges in food production and health management.

Galacto-oligosaccharides and Xylo-oligosaccharides Affect Meat Flavor by Altering the Cecal Microbiome, Metabolome, and Transcriptome of Chickens

Studies have shown that prebiotics can affect meat quality; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate whether prebiotics affect the flavor of chicken meat via the gut microbiome and metabolome. The gut content was collected from chickens fed with or without prebiotics (galacto-oligosaccharides or xylo-oligosaccharides) and subjected to microbiome and metabolome analyses, whereas transcriptome sequencing was performed using chicken breast. Prebiotic supplementation yielded a slight improvement that was not statistically significant in the growth and production performance of chickens. Moreover, treatment with prebiotics promoted fat synthesis and starch hydrolysis, thus increasing meat flavor by enhancing lipase and α-amylase activity in the blood of broiler chickens. The prebiotics altered the proportions of microbiota in the gut at different levels, especially microbiota in the phyla Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, such as members of the Alistipes, Bacteroides, and Faecalibacterium genera. Furthermore, the prebiotics altered the content of cecal metabolites related to flavor substances, including 8 types of lysophosphatidylcholine (lysoPC) and 4 types of amino acid. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) induced by prebiotics were significantly involved in fatty acid accumulation processes, such as lipolysis in adipocytes and the adipocytokine signaling pathway. Changes in gut microbiota were correlated with metabolites, for example, Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes were positively and negatively correlated with lysoPC, respectively. Finally, DEGs interacted with cecal metabolites, especially meat-flavor-related amino acids and their derivatives. The findings of this study integrated and incorporated associations among the gut microbiota, metabolites, and transcriptome, which suggests that prebiotics affect the flavor of chicken meat.

In ovo Inoculation of Bacillus subtilis and Raffinose Affects Growth Performance, Cecal Microbiota, Volatile Fatty Acid, Ileal Morphology and Gene Expression, and Sustainability of Broiler Chickens (Gallus gallus)

Banning antibiotic growth promoters has negatively impacted poultry production and sustainability, which led to exploring efficient alternatives such as probiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics. Effect of in ovo injection of Bacillus subtilis, raffinose, and their synbiotics on growth performance, cecal microbial population and volatile fatty acid concentration, ileal histomorphology, and ileal gene expression was investigated in broilers (Gallus gallus) raised for 21 days. On 300 h of incubation, a total of 1,500 embryonated eggs were equally allotted into 10 groups. The first was non-injected (NC) and the remaining in ovo injected with sterile distilled water (PC), B. subtilis 4 × 10⁵ and 4 × 10⁶ CFU (BS1 and BS2), Raffinose 2 and 3 mg (R1 and R2), B. subtilis 4 × 10⁵ CFU + raffinose 2 mg (BS1R1), B. subtilis 4 × 10⁵ CFU + raffinose 3 mg (BS1R2), B. subtilis 4 × 10⁶ CFU + raffinose 2 mg (BS2R1), and B. subtilis 4 × 10⁶ CFU + raffinose 3 mg (BS2R2). At hatch, 60 chicks from each group were randomly chosen, divided into groups of 6 replicates (10 birds/replicate), and fed with a corn–soybean-based diet. In ovo inoculation of B. subtilis and raffinose alone or combinations significantly improved body weight, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio of 21-day-old broilers compared to NC. Cecal concentrations of butyric, pentanoic, propionic, and isobutyric acids were significantly elevated in R1, R2, BS2R1, and BS2R2, whereas isovaleric and acetic acids were significantly increased in R1 and BS2R1 compared to NC. Cecal microbial population was significantly altered in treated groups. Ileal villus height was increased (p < 0.001) in BS1, R2, and BS2R2 compared to NC. The mRNA expression of mucin-2 was upregulated (p < 0.05) in synbiotic groups except for BS1R1. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression was increased (p < 0.05) in BS2, R1, BS1R1, and BS1R2 compared to NC. SGLT-1 expression was upregulated (p < 0.05) in all treated birds except those of R1 group compared to NC. The mRNA expressions of interleukin (IL)-2 and toll-like receptor (TLR)-4 were downregulated (p < 0.05) in BS2 and R1 for IL-2 and BS1R1 and BS2R2 for TLR-4. It was concluded that in ovo B. subtilis, raffinose, and synbiotics positively affected growth performance, cecal microbiota, gut health, immune responses, and thus the sustainability of production in 21-day-old broilers.

Insights in the Development and Uses of Alternatives to Antibiotic Growth Promoters in Poultry and Swine Production

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics has contributed to the rise and spread of multidrug-resistant bacteria. To address this global public health threat, many countries have restricted the use of antibiotics as growth promoters and promoted the development of alternatives to antibiotics in human and veterinary medicine and animal farming. In food-animal production, acidifiers, bacteriophages, enzymes, phytochemicals, probiotics, prebiotics, and antimicrobial peptides have shown hallmarks as alternatives to antibiotics. This review reports the current state of these alternatives as growth-promoting factors for poultry and swine production and describes their mode of action. Recent findings on their usefulness and the factors that presently hinder their broader use in animal food production are identified by SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat) analysis. The potential for resistance development as well as co- and cross-resistance with currently used antibiotics is also discussed. Using predetermined keywords, we searched specialized databases including Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Antibiotic resistance cannot be stopped, but its spreading can certainly be hindered or delayed with the development of more alternatives with innovative modes of action and a wise and careful use of antimicrobials in a One Health approach.

Performance and meat quality traits of slow-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with galactooligosaccharides and exposed to heat stress

In vivo performance, carcass and meat quality traits of slow-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with trans galactooligosaccharides (GOS) and exposed to heat stress were evaluated. On d 12 of egg incubation, 3,000 fertilized eggs (Hubbard JA57) were divided into prebiotic group (GOS) injected with 3.5 mg GOS/egg, saline group (S) injected with physiological saline (only to assess the hatchability rate) and an uninjected control group (C). After hatching, 600 male chicks (300 from GOS and 300 from C) were housed on floor pens (6 pens/treatment, 25 birds/pen) and reared under neutral (TN) or heat stress conditions (HS, 30°C from 36 to 50 d). BW, daily feed intake (DFI), daily weight gain (DWG), feed conversion rate (FCR), and mortality were measured. At 50 d of age, 15 randomly selected birds/treatment/environmental conditions were slaughtered and the pectoral muscle (PM) was collected for analyses. Hatchability was similar among groups. BW of the newly hatched chicks was lower (P < 0.01) in GOS compared to C. Final BW, DWG, DFI, and FCR were not affected (P > 0.05) by GOS. HS reduced final BW (−12.93%, P < 0.001). During finisher phase, DFI and DWG were lower (P < 0.001) and FCR was higher (P < 0.01) in HS compared to TN. Mortality was not affected (P > 0.05) by GOS and HS. Meat from GOS chickens had a higher (P < 0.01) pH and was darker (P < 0.05) compared to C. Proximate composition, cholesterol content, fatty acid profile, and intramuscular collagen properties of PM were not affected by GOS. The HS group showed a lower (P < 0.05) content of both collagen and monounsaturated fatty acids than TN group. Significant interactions between GOS and temperature were found for FA composition. In conclusion, the differences in performance have had an impact on the responses to HS in Hubbard chickens, but not on mortality rate. GOS did not relieve the negative effect of HS on chickens’ performance.

The Impact of Herbal Additives for Poultry Feed on the Fatty Acid Profile of Meat

Researchers often found that herbal additives to chicken feed can favorably alter the fatty acid profile of the meat. The most desirable effects of diet modification comprise an increased content of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) and a reduced content of saturated fatty acids (SFA) in the breast and thigh muscles. A modified fatty acid profile contributes to improvement in the quality of poultry meat, which is reflected in its increased consumption. However, it may be problematic that PUFAs are oxidized easier than other lipids, which can have a negative impact on the sensory traits of meat. By contrast, herbs and herbal products contain antioxidants that can prevent the oxidation of unsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol present in animal-origin products and increase the antioxidant potential of the consumer’s body. This paper aims to review the influence of herbal additives for broiler chicken diets on the fatty acid profile of poultry meat. Special attention was paid to changes in the content of SFAs, MUFAs, and PUFAs, but also alterations in the omega-6:omega-3 ratio. The presented reference literature supports the statement that herbs and bioactive components of herbs added to chicken diets can improve the quality of broiler chicken meat by altering the content of fatty acids.

Effect of Dietary Laminaria digitata with Carbohydrases on Broiler Production Performance and Meat Quality, Lipid Profile, and Mineral Composition

Simple Summary

Seaweeds represent promising alternatives to unsustainable conventional feed sources, such as cereals, incorporated in poultry diets. Brown macroalgae (e.g., Laminaria digitata) correspond to the largest cultured algal biomass worldwide and are rich in bioactive polysaccharides, minerals, and antioxidant pigments. However, their utilization as feed ingredients is limited due to the presence of an intricate gel-forming cell wall composed of indigestible carbohydrates, mainly alginate and fucose-containing sulfated polysaccharides. Therefore, supplementation with carbohydrate-active enzymes is required to disrupt the cell wall and allow seaweed nutrients to be digested and absorbed in poultry gut. The present study aimed to evaluate if the dietary inclusion of 15% L. digitata, supplemented or not with carbohydrases, could improve the nutritional value of poultry meat without impairing growth performance of broiler chickens. The results show that L. digitata increases antioxidant pigments and n-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids in meat, thus improving meat nutritional and health values. On the other hand, feeding algae at a high incorporation level impaired growth performance. Feed enzymatic supplementation had only residual effects, although alginate lyase decreased intestinal viscosity caused by dietary L. digitata with potential benefits for broiler digestibility.

Abstract

We hypothesized that dietary inclusion of 15% Laminaria digitata, supplemented or not with carbohydrases, could improve the nutritional value of poultry meat without impairing animal growth performance. A total of 120 22-day old broilers were fed the following dietary treatments (n = 10) for 14 days: cereal-based diet (control); control diet with 15% L. digitata (LA); LA diet with 0.005% Rovabio^® Excel AP (LAR); LA diet with 0.01% alginate lyase (LAE). Final body weight was lower and feed conversion ratio higher with LA diet than with the control. The ileal viscosity increased with LA and LAR diets relative to control but without differences between LAE and control. The pH of thigh meat was higher, and the redness value of breast was lower with LA diet than with control. Meat overall acceptability was positively scored for all treatments. The γ-tocopherol decreased, whereas total chlorophylls and carotenoids increased in meat with alga diets relative to control. The percentage of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and accumulation of bromine and iodine in meat increased with alga diets compared with control. Feeding 15% of L. digitata to broilers impaired growth performance but enhanced meat quality by increasing antioxidant pigments, with beneficial effects on n-3 PUFA and iodine.

Effect of trimmed asparagus by-products supplementation in broiler diets on performance, nutrients digestibility, gut ecology, and functional meat production

Background and Aim: Trimmed asparagus by-products (TABP) is the resultant waste from asparagus possessing. TABP has fructans, such as inulins and fructooligosaccharide, which can be utilized as an alternative prebiotic. This study was conducted to examine the effect of TABP dietary supplementation on the productive performance, nutrient digestibility, gut microbiota, volatile fatty acid (VFA) content, small-intestine histology, and meat quality of broilers. Materials and Methods: A total of 320 1-day-old broiler chicks (Ross 308®) were raised under ambient temperature and assigned through a completely randomized design to one of four dietary treatments, with four replicates per treatment. The dietary treatments comprised corn-soybean basal diet supplemented with 0 (control), 10, 30, or 50 g/kg TABP. All birds were provided drinking water and feed ad libitum to meet the standard nutritional requirements of National Research Council for broiler chickens. Results: TABP supplementation to the broilers significantly increased the apparent ether extract, crude fiber, and gross energy digestibility (p<0.05). TABP supplementation significantly increased lactic bacteria and Enterococcus spp. numbers as well as acetic, propionic, butyric, and total VFA levels (p<0.01); on the other hand, it also significantly decreased Salmonella spp. and Escherichia coli contents in the cecum compared with the control group (p<0.01). Moreover, TABP supplementation increased villus height in the duodenum and jejunum (p<0.01), cryptal depth in the jejunum and ileum (p<0.01), and villus surface areas in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum (p<0.01). Overall, 0-35 day TABP supplementation significantly increased the feed intake (p<0.01) and average daily gain of broilers (p<0.05), but not significantly affected the viability, productive index, and economic benefit return (p>0.05). The carcass characteristics, pH, color, and water holding capacity of the chicken meat between groups were not significantly different (p>0.05). All levels of TABP supplementation appeared to be a feasible means of producing broilers with the lower serum low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as atherogenic indices of serum compared with the control (p<0.05). Cholesterol contents and palmitic acid, oleic acid, saturated fatty acids, and Monounsaturated fatty acids levels decreased with an increase of TABP supplementation (p<0.05). Furthermore, TABP supplementation decreased atherogenic index (AI) and thrombogenicity index (TI) of meat (p<0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of 30 g/kg TABP in broiler diet could enhance broiler performance and provide chicken meat with beneficial properties, with decreased AI and TI resulted from altered cholesterol and fatty acid profiles.

The study of the intensification of technological parameters of the sausage production process

One of the sources of sodium are meat products. Increased consumption of meat products and sodium intake leads to serious health problems. The task of reducing the dosage of sodium chloride in minced meat needs to be addressed. The partial replacement of table salt with sea salt will reduce the sodium concentration in products to 20%. It is established that this modification increases the moisture-binding properties of minced meat and lowers the dosage of salt in the mass of raw meat, which will reduce the level of harm to the body due to excessive consumption of sausages. It is proposed to introduce a bacterial preparation based on the strain Staphylococcus carnosus, which will reduce the amount of sodium nitrite in the finished products. Technology has been developed to regulate the composition of microelements in meat products by enriching them with a kelp extract. It was found that changes in the composition of minced meat can adversely affect the taste and physicochemical properties of the product, which is confirmed by expert studies. As a result of laboratory studies, it was found that a partial change of salt in the sea helps to improve the stability and physicochemical quality of minced meat (active acidity, water activity, moisture retention, and shear stress). According to the research results, the recipe of sausages recommended for implementation at the enterprises of the meat processing industry of Ukraine has been developed.

Innovative Treatments Enhancing the Functionality of Gut Microbiota to Improve Quality and Microbiological Safety of Foods of Animal Origin

The gastrointestinal tract, or gut, microbiota is a microbial community containing a variety of microorganisms colonizing throughout the gut that plays a crucial role in animal health, growth performance, and welfare. The gut microbiota is closely associated with the quality and microbiological safety of foods and food products originating from animals. The gut microbiota of the host can be modulated and enhanced in ways that improve the quality and safety of foods of animal origin. Probiotics—also known as direct-fed microbials—competitive exclusion cultures, prebiotics, and synbiotics have been utilized to achieve this goal. Reducing foodborne pathogen colonization in the gut prior to slaughter and enhancing the chemical, nutritional, or sensory characteristics of foods (e.g., meat, milk, and eggs) are two of many positive outcomes derived from the use of these competitive enhancement–based treatments in food-producing animals.

Expected final online publication date for the Annual Review of Food Science and Technology, Volume 13 is March 2022. Please see http://www.annualreviews.org/page/journal/pubdates for revised estimates.

Effect of novel natural feed additive containing Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on growth performance and meat characteristics of broilers

Background and Aim:

In the post-antibiotic era, consumer demand for healthy and safe meats has prompted poultry producers to seek alternative effective feed additives. This study aimed to investigate the effects of a novel natural feed additive based on a mixture of Averrhoa bilimbi L. fruit filtrate, wheat bran, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on the growth rate, internal organ weight, and breast meat characteristics of broilers.

Materials and Methods:

A total of 280 1-day-old chicks were divided into one control (CNTRL; feed without additives) and three treatment groups: NOV25, feed with 2.5 g/kg novel additive; NOV50, feed with 5.0 g/kg novel additive; and NOV100, feed with 10 g/kg novel additive. The body weight (BW), feed intake (FI), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were measured weekly. On day 35, the chickens from each group were slaughtered, and their internal organs and breast meat samples were collected.

Results:

The BW of broilers in NOV100 was greater (p=0.016) than that in the other groups. The FCRs in the treatments groups were lower (p<0.001) than that in the control group. Elevated levels of the novel additive increased (p=0.051) the relative weight of the duodenum. The pH values in the breast meat of broilers receiving the novel additive were higher (p<0.001) than that in control. The C20:3n-6 of the NOV100 breast meat was lower (p=0.012) than that of NOV25 and NOV50, but it did not differ from that of the control. The unsaturated fatty acid-to-saturated fatty acid ratio in the breast meats of the treatments was higher (p=0.032) than that in control. The L-tyrosine content in NOV50 breast meat was higher (p=0.036) than that in CNTRL and NOV100 but did not differ from that in NOV25.

Conclusion:

The proposed feed additive improved the live BW and FCR of broilers and the physical and nutritional qualities of broiler breast meat.

Essential Oil Delivery Route: Effect on Broiler Chicken's Growth Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Intestinal Morphology, Immune, and Antioxidant Status

Simple Summary

Much research is devoted to the search for potent alternatives to antibiotic growth promoters in the poultry industry. It is hypothesized that the efficacy of potential alternatives could be influenced by their type and the delivery strategy utilized. Consequently, this study evaluated the efficacy of a commercial essential oil blend across different delivery routes as a potent alternative to in-feed antibiotics in broiler chickens using selected biochemical, immune, and performance parameters. The results provide evidence that the successive delivery of essential oils via in ovo and in-water routes in broiler chickens offers the potential to improve broiler chicken biochemical and antioxidant status. However, the in ovo delivery of essential oil at 0.2 mL dosage (saline + essential oil, dilution ratio—2:1) suffers the limitations of reduced hatchability.

Abstract

This study evaluated the effect of an essential oil blend and its delivery routes on broiler chicken growth performance, blood biochemistry, intestinal morphology, and immune and antioxidant status. Eggs were incubated and allotted to 3 groups: non-injected group, in ovo saline group, and in ovo essential oil group. On day 18 of incubation, essential oil in saline or saline alone was injected into the amnion. At hatch, chicks were assigned to post-hatch treatment combinations (1) in ovo essential oil + in-water essential oil (in ovo + in-water EO); (2) in ovo essential oil (in ovo EO); (3) in ovo saline; (4) in-water essential oil; (5) in-feed antibiotics (Bacitracin methylene disalicylate) and (6) a negative control (NC; corn-wheat-soybean diet) in 8 replicate cages (6 birds/cage) and raised for 28 day. The in ovo EO group reduced (p < 0.05) chick length and hatchability, all groups recorded no difference in growth performance at 0–28 day. The in ovo + in-water EO treatment reduced (p < 0.05) blood creatine kinase and aspartate aminotransferase levels whilst increasing (p < 0.05) total antioxidant capacity in birds. The in ovo + in-water delivery of EO might represent a potential antibiotic reduction strategy for the poultry industry but more research is needed to address the concern of reduced hatchability.

Effects of Feeding Fermented Mulberry Leaf Powder on Growth Performance, Slaughter Performance, and Meat Quality in Chicken Broilers

Simple Summary

Mulberry leaf is widely used in ruminants feeding, such as sheep, beef cattle, and dairy calves. Due to the high content of crude fiber in mature mulberry leaves and branches and the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as tannin, excessive addition will affect the production performance and health of livestock and poultry, and limit its large-scale application in animal production to a certain extent. The disadvantages of woody plants can be improved by microbial fermentation, which can reduce the content of anti-nutritional factors, and increase the content of peptides and amino acids, probiotics, and bioactive components. In this study, Lactobacillus, Saccharomycetes, and Bacillus subtilis were used to make mixed strains to ferment mulberry leaf powder, and different proportions were added to the diet of yellow feathered chicken broilers. The results showed that the addition of fermented mulberry leaf in the diet could improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and then improve its growth performance, and increase the contents of inosine monophosphate (IMP), total amino acids, essential amino acids, and delicious amino acids in breast and thigh muscle, and improved polyunsaturated fatty acids and essential fatty acids in breast muscle; this also has a positive effect on improving meat quality.

Abstract

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of feeding fermented mulberry leaf powder (FMLP) on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality of broilers. A total of 360 1-day-old chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups. The control group was fed basal diet (CON), 3% FMLP, 6% FMLP, 9% FMLP, and 3% unfermented mulberry leaf powder. The (MLP) group was fed basal diet supplemented with 3%, 6%, 9% fermented mulberry leaf powder, and 3% MLP, respectively. The experiment lasted for 56 days, with 1–28 days as the starter phase and 29–56 days as the grower phase. The results on the growth performance showed that diets supplemented with 3% FMLP significantly increased the ratio of villus height to crypt depth in the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum of broilers, enhanced the activity of intestinal amylase and digestibility of dry matter and crude protein, improved the average daily gain (ADG), and decreased the feed to gain ratio (F/G) (p < 0.05). Compared with the control group diet, the 3% FMLP group diet significantly increased the breast muscle yield (p < 0.05), reduced the abdominal fat ratio (0.1 < p < 0.05), and improved the slaughter performance of broilers. The 3% MLP group diet increased the shear force of breast muscle (p < 0.05) and thigh muscle of broilers compared to the control group, and adding FMLP could reverse the above results. Additionally, relative to the control group, FMLP supplementation improved the contents of inosine monophosphate (IMP), total amino acids (TAA), essential amino acids (EAA), and delicious amino acids (DAA) in breast and thigh muscle, and improved polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and essential fatty acids (EFA) in breast muscle; the 6% and 9% FMLP groups showed preferably such effects (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary supplementation of FMLP can improve the digestion and absorption of nutrients, and then improve the growth performance of broilers; it also has a positive effect on improving slaughter performance and meat quality.

Effect of dietary mannan oligosaccharides and fructo-oligosaccharides on physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability of broiler chicken meat

The objective of this present study was to investigate the potentiality of prebiotics (mannan oligosaccharides-MOS and fructo-oligosaccharides-FOS) in replacement of antibiotic growth promoter and their relationship with physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability and carcass traits of broiler chickens meat. Accordingly, 240 day-old broiler chicks of uniform body weight divided in 6 treatment groups with 5 replicate each (5 × 6 = 30) having 8 birds in each replicate. Six corn based dietary treatments were formulated viz. T₁ (control diet), T₂ (T₁ + Bacitracin methylene di-salicylate @ 0.002%), T₃ (T₁ + 0.1% MOS), T₄ (T₁ + 0.2% MOS), T₅ (T₁ + 0.1% FOS), and T₆ (T₁ + 0.2% FOS). Significant (p < 0.05) increase in cut up part yields (%) and reduction in cholesterol and fat content in T₄ (0.2% MOS) group. The water holding capacity (WHC) and extract release volume (ERV) were increase (p < 0.05) in 0.1 or 0.2% MOS supplemented group. DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazy) was higher (p < 0.05) and lipid oxidation (free fatty acid and thio-barbituric acid reactive substances) was lower (p < 0.05) in T₄ group. The standard plate count (SPC), staphylococcus and coliform counts were decreased (p < 0.05) in T₃ or T₄ group. Thus, it can be concluded that mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) may be incorporated at 0.2% level in diet for improved physico-chemical indices, antioxidant and oxidative stability and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens meat and it may be suitable replacer of antibiotic growth promoter.

Effects of Probiotics, Prebiotics and Synbiotics Injected in Ovo on the Microstructure of the Breast Muscle in Different Chicken Genotypes

The aim of the study was to analyse the effect of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics injected in ovo on day 12 of embryonic development on the microstructure of the superficial pectoral muscle (musculus pectoralis superficialis) from 42-day-old chickens of different genotypes: broilers (Ross 308) and general-purpose type (green-legged partridge (GP) chickens Zk-11, native chickens). Incubated eggs were divided into four groups (each genotype separately) depending on the substance injected in ovo: normal saline (C, control); Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris (PRO); galactooligosaccharides, GOS (PRE) or GOS + L. lactis (SYN). After hatching, chicks were placed in eight replicated pens (four pens/genotype group). There were eight birds per pen. In total, 64 birds were used in the experiment. Birds were slaughtered at the age of 42 days, and samples of superficial pectoral muscles were taken for analysis. The microstructure of the pectoral muscles was evaluated using the cryosectioning (frozen tissue sectioning) technique and staining with haematoxylin and eosin. Statistical analysis revealed that the in ovo injection of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics had no significant effect on the diameter of muscle fibres from chickens of the two genotypes. The number of fibres in the muscles from green-legged partridge chickens was about three-fold higher than the fibre density in the muscles from broiler chickens, with the fibre diameter being two-fold smaller. This fact may indicate a greater tenderness of meat from GP chickens compared to the meat from Ross 308 broilers. In the case of broilers, a prebiotic (GOS) was the most effective bioactive substance in reducing the number of histopathological changes. Considering muscles from GP chickens, the number of normal fibres was highest in birds treated with the probiotic. These findings indicate that the microstructural features of pectoral muscles depend not only on the type of the injected bioactive substance but also on the genotype of chickens.

The first insights on trans-galactooligosaccharide effects on fatty acids profile and microstructure of muscle in common carp

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of prebiotic GOS on muscle histomorphometry and the total lipid, total cholesterol content and fatty acids profile in the meat of common carp. The 60-day-long experiment was performed on one-year-old fish. Three diets were used in the experiment: control diet 1 (C) with no microbiota affecting feed additives, diet 2 (B1) with 1 % of GOS, and diet 3 (B2) with 2 % of GOS. At the end of the trial, 16 individuals from each treatment group were used for the analyses. Fish meat from the B1 group had significantly higher lipid content compared to B2, but neither B1 nor B2 groups were different from the control group. The percentages of SFA, MUFA, PUFA, indexes n-3/n-6, PUFA/SFA, AI and TI, and total cholesterol content were not affected, in contrast to C14:0, C16:1 n-7, C18:0, C18:2 n-6, C20:4 n-6, and total n-6 FA. GOS significantly increased the percentage of normal fibres, while the lower number of fibre atrophy and splitting were observed. The results confirm that diet supplemented with 2 % GOS may be recommended as feed additive in carp nutrition due to positive effects on some fatty acids profiles and muscle microstructure.

Effects of dietary supplementation with a laminarin-rich extract on the growth performance and gastrointestinal health in broilers

Restriction in antimicrobial use in broiler chicken production is driving the exploration of alternative feed additives that will support growth through the promotion of gastrointestinal health and development. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of dietary inclusion of laminarin on growth performance, the expression of nutrient transporters, markers of inflammation and intestinal integrity in the small intestine and composition of the caecal microbiota in broiler chickens. Two-hundred-and-forty day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks (40.64 (3.43 SD) g) were randomly assigned to: (T1) basal diet (control); (T2) basal diet + 150 ppm laminarin; (T3) basal diet + 300 ppm laminarin (5 bird/pen; 16 pens/treatment). The basal diet was supplemented with a laminarin-rich Laminaria spp. extract (65% laminarin) to achieve the two laminarin inclusion levels (150 and 300 ppm). Chick weights and feed intake was recorded weekly. After 35 days of supplementation, one bird per pen from the control and best performing (300 ppm) laminarin groups were euthanized. Duodenal, jejunal and ileal tissues were collected for gene expression analysis. Caecal digesta was collected for microbiota analysis (high-throughput sequencing and QPCR). Dietary supplementation with 300 ppm laminarin increased both final body weight (2033 vs. 1906 ± 30.4, P < 0.05) and average daily gain (62.3 vs. 58.2 ± 0.95, P < 0.05) compared to the control group and average daily feed intake (114.1 vs. 106.0 and 104.5 ± 1.77, P < 0.05) compared to all other groups. Laminarin supplementation at 300 ppm increased the relative and absolute abundance of Bifidobacterium (P < 0.05) in the caecum. Laminarin supplementation increased the expression of interleukin 17A (IL17A) in the duodenum, claudin 1 (CLDN1) and toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) in the jejunum and IL17A, CLDN1 and SLC15A1/peptide transporter 1 (SLC15A1/PepT1) in the ileum (P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementation with laminarin is a promising dietary strategy to enhance growth performance and 300 ppm was the optimal inclusion level with which to promote a beneficial profile of the gastrointestinal microbiota in broiler chickens.

Effects of dietary supplementation of a probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) on bone mass and meat quality of broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of a dietary probiotic supplement on bone mass and meat quality of broiler chickens. Two hundred ten 1-day-old male Ross 708 broiler chicks were divided among 21 floor pens (10 chicks per pen). The pens were randomly distributed to 1 of 3 dietary treatments containing a probiotic, Bacillus subtilis, at 0 (control), 0.25 (0.25X), and 0.5 (0.5X) g/kg (n = 7). Gait score, footpad dermatitis (FPD), leg straightness, and hock burn (HB) were examined at day 33, and a latency-to-lie test was performed at day 34. At the end of the experiment (day 35), plasma, right leg, and litter samples were collected for mineral contents, meat quality, bone morphometric parameters, and litter quality assessments. The results indicated that probiotic-fed birds stood much longer during the latency-to-lie test with a greater tibial length, weight, and strength as well as higher plasma levels of calcium and phosphorus compared with the controls. In addition, probiotic-fed birds' leg muscle had higher color lightness at both 30 min and 5 h postmortem and greater water-holding capacity with a trend for less cooking loss (P = 0.056) and lower pH values (P < 0.05) at 5 h postmortem. Probiotic-fed birds' leg meat was tastier (P < 0.05) at 24 h after slaughter. These probiotic effects were greater in the 0.5X group than in the 0.25X group. There were no treatment effects on other measured parameters including gait score, HB, FPD, tibial lateral and medial wall thickness, diaphysis and medullary canal diameters, robusticity and tibiotarsal indexes, plasma magnesium concentrations, and litter moisture and pH values (P > 0.05). These findings indicate that the probiotic supplement could be a useful management tool for improving broiler production and welfare by enhanced bone mass and meat quality.

Bacillus subtilis delivery route: effect on growth performance, intestinal morphology, cecal short-chain fatty acid concentration, and cecal microbiota in broiler chickens

As the poultry industry recedes from the use of antibiotic growth promoters, the need to evaluate the efficacy of possible alternatives and the delivery method that maximizes their effectiveness arises. This study aimed at expounding knowledge on the effect of the delivery method of a probiotic product (Bacillus subtilis fermentation extract) on performance and gut parameters in broiler chickens. A total of 450 fertile eggs sourced from Cobb 500 broiler breeders were randomly allotted to 3 groups: in ovo probiotic (n = 66), in ovo saline (n = 66), and noninjection (n = 200) and incubated for 21 d. On day 18.5 of incubation, 200 μL of either probiotic (10 × 10⁶ cfu) or saline was injected into the amnion. At hatch, chicks were reallotted to 6 new treatment groups: in ovo probiotic, in ovo saline, in-feed antibiotics, in-water probiotic, in-feed probiotics, and control (corn-wheat-soybean diet) in 6 replicate cages and raised for 28 d. Of all hatch parameters evaluated, only percentage pipped eggs was found significant (P < 0.05) with the noninjection group having higher percentage pipped eggs than the other groups. Treatments did not affect the incidence of necrotic enteritis on day 28 (P > 0.05). Irrespective of the delivery method, the probiotic treatments had no significant effect on growth performance. The ileum villus width of the in ovo probiotic treatment was 18% higher than the in ovo saline group (P = 0.05) but not statistically higher than other groups. The jejunum villus height was 23% higher (P = 0.000) in the in ovo probiotic group than in the control group. There was no effect of treatment on total cecal short-chain fatty acid concentration and cecal gut microbiota composition and diversity (P > 0.05), although few unique bacteria differential abundance were recorded per treatment. Conclusively, although probiotic treatments (irrespective of the delivery route) did not affect growth performance, in ovo delivery of the probiotic product enhanced intestinal morphology, without compromising hatch performance and gut homeostasis.

Impact of dietary Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation on growth, histopathology, E-coli colonization and hepatic transcripts of TNF-α and NF- ϰB of broiler challenged with E. coli O78

BACKGROUND

Using probiotics have become popular. They are considered an alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGP). Probiotics are supplemented into animal feed for improving growth performance along with preventing and controlling enteric pathogens. The aim of this work was to study the impact of dietary supplementation of Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan (Agrimos®) on broiler challenged with Escherichia coli O₇₈ (E. coli O₇₈ - marked with an antibiotic (320 μg ciprofloxacin/ml broth) on growth performance, serum biochemistry, immune organs-histopathology, E-coli colonization, and hepatic transcripts of Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) and Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-ϰB). A total of 125 one-day-old chicks were used for conducting the experiment. Five one-day-old chicks were slaughtered for measuring the initial weight of the lymphoid tissue. The remaining chicks (120) were allotted into four groups according to Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation, and E. coli infection. The data were analyzed using SPSS version 16.

RESULTS

Results indicated significant alteration of growth performance, serum biochemistry, and selected liver gene expression with pathological lesions, especially in the lymphoid organs due to E. coli infection. These alterations were mitigated by Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation.

CONCLUSION

It could be concluded, Mannan-oligosaccharide and β-Glucan supplementation in broiler's diet improved the immune response of broilers and mitigated pathological lesion resulted from E. coli infection.

Effect of Amniotic Injection of N-Carbamylglutamate on Meat Quality of Broilers

Simple Summary

N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) is a key activator of endogenous arginine production, which plays a vital role in meat quality and antioxidant performance. To the best of our knowledge, there is no study about NCG enhancing the meat quality of broilers. The present research was aimed at exploring the effects of amniotic injection of NCG on meat quality of pectoral muscle in broilers. The data showed that the in ovo feeding (IOF) of NCG enhanced the arginine content, improved the nutritional properties, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and improved the meat quality in the pectoral muscle of broilers. In summary, amniotic injection of NCG on day 17.5 of incubation could be an effective and novel approach to improving the meat quality of broilers.

Abstract

The current study was performed to determine the influence of amniotic injection of N-carbamylglutamate (NCG) on meat quality of pectoral muscle in broilers. A total of 792 alive broiler embryos at 17 d of incubation were assigned to three treatments randomly (non-injected control, saline-injected control, or NCG-injected treatment). The two injection treatments were an injection with 0.1 mL 0.85% aseptic saline alone or containing 2 mg NCG per egg at 17.5 d of incubation. After hatching, 72 healthy male chicks were selected from each treatment and housed in six pens for a 42 day feeding study. Pectoral muscles from six 42-day-old broilers were collected from each treatment group and were dissected for meat quality assays. The results showed that arginine contents in pectoral muscle in either free or hydrolytic form in the NCG group were higher than those in the non-injection control group (p < 0.05). In comparison to the non-injection or saline-injection control groups, NCG injection resulted in a lower lactic acid content in pectoral muscle (p < 0.05). Muscular antioxidant capacity in the NCG group was higher, as evidenced by the higher activity of catalase and glutathione peroxidase and lower content of malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). In addition, the group of in ovo administration of NCG had decreased drip loss and increased crude fat content in pectoral muscle in comparison to those of either control group (p < 0.05) and had enhanced crude protein content compared to that of the saline-injection control group (p < 0.05). Briefly, these results indicate that amniotic administration of NCG in the late incubation phase increased the arginine content, improved the nutritional properties, enhanced the antioxidant capacity, and improved the meat quality in the pectoral muscle of broilers. Amniotic injection of NCG may serve as a novel approach to improving the meat quality of broilers.

Effects of cassava foliage on feed digestion, meat quality, and antioxidative status of geese

As the by-product of cassava, cassava foliage (CF) has been widely used in livestock feed. However, little information is available on its utilization for geese. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects of CF on the feed digestion, meat quality, and antioxidative status of geese. A total of 108 male Hainan indigenous geese (28-days-old) with similar body weight were randomly and evenly divided into 3 groups, and the geese were fed for 42 D on either the control diet (CON) consisting of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran, or the experimental diet composed of ground maize, soybean meal, and wheat bran supplemented with 5% (CF1) or 10% (CF2) CF. Dietary nutrient digestibility, physicochemical properties, amino acid and fatty acid composition of meat, and antioxidative status of geese were evaluated. The results showed that supplementation of CF in goose diets enhanced the feed digestion and affected the meat quality. In addition, supplementation of CF had beneficial effects on the regulation of amino acid and fatty acid profiles in muscle tissues. Moreover, such supplementation had no significant effect on antioxidative status. Taken together, goose diet containing 5% CF was recommended based on feed efficiency and meat quality.

Effect of galactooligosaccharides delivered in ovo on meat quality traits of broiler chickens exposed to heat stress

A study was carried out to evaluate meat quality traits in fast-growing chickens stimulated in ovo with trans-galactoolighosaccarides (GOS) and exposed to heat stress. On day 12 of egg incubation, 3,000 fertilized eggs (Ross 308) were divided into prebiotic group (GOS) injected with 3.5 mg GOS/egg, saline group (S) injected with physiological saline, and control group (C) uninjected. After hatching, 900 male chicks (300 chicks/treatment) were reared in floor pens in either thermoneutral (TN; 6 pens/group, 25 birds/pen) or heat stress conditions (HS, 30°C from 32 to 42 D; 6 pens/group, 25 birds/pen). At 42 D of age, 15 randomly chosen birds/treatment/temperature were slaughtered and the pectoral muscle (PM) was removed for analyses. Data were analyzed by GLM in a 3 × 2 factorial design. In ovo treatment had no effect on PM weight, pH, water-holding capacity, and shear force. GOS and S birds had lighter (L*, P < 0.01) PM than C group, whereas the latter showed a higher (P < 0.05) yellowness index (b*) compared to S group. Proximate composition, cholesterol, and intramuscular collagen properties were not affected by treatment. As for fatty acid composition, only total polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) content and n-6 PUFA were slightly lower in GOS group compared to S. Heat stress had a detrimental effect on PM weight (P < 0.01) and increased meat pH (P < 0.01). PM from HS chickens was darker with a higher b* index (P < 0.05) and had a higher (P < 0.01) lipid content and a lower (P < 0.05) total collagen amount. Total saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and PUFA were similar among groups. Significant interactions between factors were found for fatty acid composition: GOS decreased (P < 0.01) SFA and increased (P < 0.05) MUFA contents in HS birds. In conclusion, in ovo injection of GOS could mitigate the detrimental effect of heat stress on some meat quality traits.

Effects of in ovo injection of prebiotics and synbiotics on the productive performance and microstructural features of the superficial pectoral muscle in broiler chickens

The aim of the study was to compare the effects of 2 prebiotics and 2 synbiotics injected in ovo on productivity parameters, quality, and microstructure of the superficial pectoral muscle in 35-day-old broiler chickens. On day 12 of incubation, 9,000 eggs Ross 308 were randomly divided into 5 experimental groups treated with different bioactives in ovo injected: C, control with physiological saline; PI, with 1.760 mg inulin; PB, with 0.528 mg of commercial prebiotic Bi2tos; SI, with 1.760 mg inulin and 1,000 CFU Lactococcus lactis spp. lactis IBB SL1; SB, with 0.528 mg Bi2tos and 1,000 CFU Lactococcus lactis spp. cremoris IBB SC1. The synbiotic solution contained 20 μl bacterial suspension and 180 μl prebiotic solution. For productive parameters and further tests ten male birds for each experimental group were used. The birds were slaughtered on day 35 of age. At slaughter, samples of the left pectoral muscles were taken and preserved by freezing in liquid nitrogen. The pH and color of the meat were evaluated at 45 min and 24 h post-mortem. Water holding capacity (WHC) was measured and expressed as the percentage of free water in meat. Microscopic specimens were analysed using MultiScan software for the measurement of the percentage of oxidative and glycolytic fibres and mean diameter of the muscle fibres. In ovo injection of prebiotics Bi2tos had a positive effect on body weight. In prebiotic group (PI) a negative impact on hatchability was observed. Prebiotics and synbiotics had no influence on the yield of the carcass and pectoral muscle. Bioactive compounds had a significant effect on the quality of meat parameters such as: pH 24 h (PI and PB group), L* 45' (SI and SB group), and WHC (groups PB, SI, and SB). The analysis of the enzymatic profile showed a significant increase in the percentage of glycolytic fibres in the pectoral muscle from chicken treated with a synbiotic with the addition of inulin (group SI).

Feed supplementation with inulin on broiler performance and meat quality challenged with Clostridium perfringens: Infection and prebiotic impacts

Following the ban on the use of antibiotics as growth enhancers in 2006 by the European Union, alternative products have been sought. Inulin is a prebiotic that is found naturally in many plants. It reaches large intestine of animals unaltered, where it is fermented by beneficial bacteria that comprise the intestinal microbiota. Inulin also inhibits the growth of pathogenic bacteria. Consumption of inulin in chicken diets improves performance at slaughter; nevertheless, little is known about its effects on poultry meat. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of inulin on feeding of broilers challenged with Clostridium perfringens (4.0 × 10⁸ CFU) and its consequences on the quality of breast meat. Four hundred Cobb male broiler chickens were distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments and five replications each, as follows: T1: control treatment, basal diet (DB); T2: DB + 21-day challenged with C. perfringens orally; T3: DB + 21-day challenge with C. perfringens orally +25 mg/kg inulin; T4: DB + 21-day challenge by C. perfringens orally +4.4 mg/kg lincomycin. There were no significant differences between treatments in terms of pH, color parameters (L, a*, b*), water retention capacity, or shear force cooking weight loss. However, we found that the meat of poultry challenged by C. perfringens showed lower lipid peroxidation and increased activity of the antioxidant enzymes SOD and CAT, suggesting improvement in antioxidant profile. Nitrate/nitrite levels were lower with T3 and higher with T4 than with T1. We therefore conclude that inulin can replace antibiotics as growth promoters without causing changes in the physicochemical characteristics of meat. C. perfringens challenge caused lower lipid peroxidation and stimulated antioxidant responses in breast meat.

Efficacy of In Ovo Delivered Prebiotics on Growth Performance, Meat Quality and Gut Health of Kuroiler Chickens in the Face of a Natural Coccidiosis Challenge

A study was carried out to assess the efficacy of prebiotic delivered in ovo on performance, carcass traits, meat quality and gut health in the face of a natural coccidiosis infection in Kuroiler chickens. On d 12 of incubation, 150 fertile eggs were divided into a prebiotic group injected with trans-galactooligosaccharides (Bi²tos) and a control group uninjected. Hatched chicks from each group were further divided: One group received antibiotic chick formula while the other was left untreated, giving rise to 4 groups-Control (C), Antibiotic (A), Bi²tos (B), and Bi²tos + Antibiotic (AB). Prebiotic improved growth performance at six weeks of age, AB birds were the heaviest at the end of the rearing period. The highest intestinal lesion scores and oocyst counts were recorded in C birds. B group had a slightly higher carcass weight and cuts yields tended to be higher in treated groups compared to C. Meat from B group displayed a higher amount of polyunsaturated fatty acids compared to C and a positively lower n-6/n-3 ratio compared to C and A. In conclusion, prebiotics with or without antibiotics reduced severity of intestinal lesions and oocyst excretion induced by natural infection with Eimeria, with positive effects on Kuroiler chicken productive traits.

Prebiotics and synbiotics - in ovo delivery for improved lifespan condition in chicken

Commercially produced chickens have become key food-producing animals in the global food system. The scale of production in industrial settings has changed management systems to a point now very far from traditional methods. During the perinatal period, newly hatched chicks undergo processing, vaccination and transportation, which introduces a gap in access to feed and water. This gap, referred to as the hatching window, dampens the potential for microflora inoculation and as such, prevents proper microbiome, gastrointestinal system and innate immunity development. As a consequence, the industrial production of chickens with a poor microbial profile leads to enteric microbial infestation and infectious disease outbreaks, which became even more prevalent after the withdrawal of antibiotic growth promoters on many world markets (e.g., the EU).This review presents the rationale, methodology and life-long effects of in ovo stimulation of chicken microflora. In ovo stimulation provides efficient embryonic microbiome colonization with commensal microflora during the perinatal period. A carefully selected bioactive formulation (prebiotics, probiotics alone or combined into synbiotics) is delivered into the air cell of the egg on day 12 of egg incubation. The prebiotic penetrates the outer and inner egg membranes and stimulates development on the innate microflora in the embryonic guts. Probiotics are available after the mechanical breakage of the shell membranes by the chick's beak at the beginning of hatching (day 19). The intestinal microflora after in ovo stimulation is potent enough for competitive exclusion and programs the lifespan condition. We present the effects of different combinations of prebiotic and probiotic delivered in ovo on day 12 of egg incubation on microflora, growth traits, feed efficiency, intestinal morphology, meat microstructure and quality, immune system development, physiological characteristics and the transcriptome of the broiler chickens.We discuss the differences between in ovo stimulation (day 12 of egg incubation) and in ovo feeding (days 17-18 of egg incubation) and speculate about possible future developments in this field. In summary, decades of research on in ovo stimulation and the lifelong effects support this method as efficient programming of lifespan conditions in commercially raised chickens.