Antioxidant Enzyme Activity and Meat Quality of Meat Type Ducks Fed with Dried Oregano (Origanum vulgare L.) Powder

Effects of cinnamon, rosemary and oregano on growth performance, blood biochemistry, liver enzyme activities, excreta microbiota and ileal morphology of Campylobacter jejuni-challenged broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

Phytogenic additives would be helpful to mitigate the detrimental impact of Campylobacter jejuni on broiler chickens.

OBJECTIVE

The experiment aimed to assess the effects of cinnamon, rosemary and oregano powder on physiological responses of broiler chickens challenged with C. jejuni from 0 to 42 days of age.

METHODS

A total of 192 one-day-old male broiler chickens were divided into 6 treatment groups. The treatments included: negative control (NC; basal diet without additives and no C. jejuni challenge), positive control (PC; basal diet with C. jejuni challenge), PC with cinnamon, rosemary or oregano powder (3 g/kg each), and PC with Erythromycin (55 mg/kg). Except for the NC group, all chicks were orally challenged with 2 × 108 CFU/mL C. jejuni daily from days 21-25. Feed intake, body weight gain (BWG), feed conversion ratio (FCR), energy efficiency ratio (EER) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) were assessed during the rearing period (0-42 days). On day 42 of age, fresh excreta samples were collected from each pen to determine apparent dry matter digestibility and excreta microbiota. In addition, at the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected to evaluate blood profile and liver enzyme activities.

RESULTS

C. jejuni challenge (PC treatment) decreased BWG, EER and PER, while increasing FCR of broiler chickens (p < 0.05), whereas rosemary, oregano and Erythromycin improved these performance parameters akin to NC. PC diet showed negative effect in ileal morphology, alleviated by additives except cinnamon (p < 0.05). Dietary additives successfully reduced Campylobacter levels and increased Lactobacilli counts in the PC. Rosemary and oregano lowered plasma total cholesterol (p < 0.05). Alanine aminotransferase elevation by C. jejuni challenge in the PC group was prevented by rosemary, oregano and Erythromycin (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Oregano and rosemary alleviate the impact of C. jejuni challenge.

Lipid Peroxidation in Muscle Foods: Impact on Quality, Safety and Human Health

The issue of lipid changes in muscle foods under the action of atmospheric oxygen has captured the attention of researchers for over a century. Lipid oxidative processes initiate during the slaughtering of animals and persist throughout subsequent technological processing and storage of the finished product. The oxidation of lipids in muscle foods is a phenomenon extensively deliberated in the scientific community, acknowledged as one of the pivotal factors affecting their quality, safety, and human health. This review delves into the nature of lipid oxidation in muscle foods, highlighting mechanisms of free radical initiation and the propagation of oxidative processes. Special attention is given to the natural antioxidant protective system and dietary factors influencing the stability of muscle lipids. The review traces mechanisms inhibiting oxidative processes, exploring how changes in lipid oxidative substrates, prooxidant activity, and the antioxidant protective system play a role. A critical review of the oxidative stability and safety of meat products is provided. The impact of oxidative processes on the quality of muscle foods, including flavour, aroma, taste, colour, and texture, is scrutinised. Additionally, the review monitors the effect of oxidised muscle foods on human health, particularly in relation to the autooxidation of cholesterol. Associations with coronary cardiovascular disease, brain stroke, and carcinogenesis linked to oxidative stress, and various infections are discussed. Further studies are also needed to formulate appropriate technological solutions to reduce the risk of chemical hazards caused by the initiation and development of lipid peroxidation processes in muscle foods.

Alleviation of negative effect of heat stress through supplementations of cinnamon (Cinnamomum zeylanicum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa L) powders in diets of broiler chickens

This study was designed to assess the effect of cinnamon powder (CNP) and turmeric powder (TP) on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity of broiler chickens under heat stress conditions. A total of 200, one day old as-hatched broiler chickens (ROSS 308) were randomly allotted into five treatments with four replicates (n = 10). Treatment groups were control (C): fed basal diet; T1: 0.5% CNP; T2: 1.0% CNP; T3: 0.5% TP and T4: 1.0% TP. Results indicated that body weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio were improved significantly (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Serum malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase activity were decreased (p < 0.05) while blood superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity were increased (p < 0.05) in treatments fed CNP and TP. Addition of CNP and TP decreased (p < 0.05) serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase activity. Treatments fed CNP and TP resulted increased (p < 0.05) breast and thigh meat monounsaturated fatty acid, polyunsaturated fatty acid, linoleic acid, oleic acid and water holding capacity while decreased (p < 0.05) saturated fatty acid and cook loss. In conclusion CNP and TP possess advantageous effect on growth performance, antioxidant status, liver function, meat quality and lactate dehydrogenase activity.

Encapsulated Essential Oils Improve the Growth Performance of Meat Ducks by Enhancing Intestinal Morphology, Barrier Function, Antioxidant Capacity and the Cecal Microbiota

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of encapsulated essential oils (EOs) on the gut microbiota, growth performance, intestinal morphology, antioxidant properties and barrier function of meat-type ducks. A total of 320 male Cherry Valley ducks (1 day old), were randomly assigned to four dietary experimental groups with eight replicates of ten ducks each. The groups consisted of the CON group (basal diet), the HEO group (basal diet + EO 1000 mg/kg), the LEO group (basal diet + EO 500 mg/kg), and the ANT group (basal diet + chlortetracycline 50 mg/kg). Our findings indicated that ducks fed with EO 1000 mg/kg had greater average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and body weight (BW) and a lower feed conversion ratio (FCR) than the other groups. The serum concentration of TG reduced in the HEO (p > 0.05) and LEO (p < 0.05) groups on day 42, while the concentration of CHOL increased with the EO concentration in the LEO (p > 0.05) and HEO (p < 0.05) groups. No differences were observed in the ileal mucosa for the activities of SOD, MPO and GSH-PX after EO dietary treatment. Dietary supplementation with EOs significantly increased the villus heights (p < 0.01) and the ratio of villus height to crypt depth (c/v) in the duodenum and jejunum of ducks. Moreover, the mRNA expressions of Claudin1 and Occludin in the jejunal mucosa were observed to be higher in the LEO and HEO groups rather than the CON and ANT groups on d 42. The α diversity showed that the HEO group improved the bacterial diversity and abundance. The β diversity analysis indicated that the microbial structures of the four groups were obviously separated. EO dietary supplementation could increase the relative abundance (p < 0.01) of the Bacteroidetes phylum, Bacteroidaceae family, and Bacteroides, Desulfovibrio, Phascolarctobacterium, and Butyricimonas genera in the cecal microbiota of ducks. We demonstrated significant differences in the bacterial composition and functional potential of the gut microbiota in ducks that were fed either an EO diet or a basal diet. Therefore, supplemented EOs was found to have a positive effect on the growth performance and intestinal health of ducks, which was attributed to the improvement in cecal microbiota, intestinal morphology, and barrier function.

In Vitro Antioxidant Activities of Plant Polyphenol Extracts and Their Combined Effect with Flaxseed on Raw and Cooked Breast Muscle Fatty Acid Content, Lipid Health Indices and Oxidative Stability in Slow-Growing Sasso Chickens

Adding flaxseed was found to decrease oxidative stability in feed and increase the antioxidant needs of chicken. This has also been associated with a decrease in the nutritional value and oxidative stability of meat if sufficient dietary antioxidants are not included. Furthermore, dietary flaxseed has been explored in fast-growing chickens as such studies are limited with slow-growing chickens. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of feeding plant polyphenol extracts as an antioxidant alongside flaxseed on fatty acid content, oxidative stability, and lipid health indices in breast muscle of slow-growing Sasso T451A dual-purpose chicken. A total of 126 chickens assigned to six groups (seven replicates of three) were fed on NC (control and no antioxidants), FS (75 g flaxseed and no antioxidants), VE8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg vitamin E), TS8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Thymus schimperi), DA8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Dodonaea angustifolia) and CD8 (75 g flaxseed and 800 mg Curcuma domestica) extract per kg diet. Feeding on CD8 and VE8 in raw and TS8, CD8 and VE8 diets in cooked breast muscle increased (p < 0.05) the C22:6n − 3 (DHA) and C20:5n − 3 (EPA) contents compared to the FS diet. Feeding FS increased (p < 0.05) the malondialdehyde (MDA) content in breast muscle, whereas TS8 in cooked and raw and CD8 and DA8 diets in raw breast muscle decreased it (p < 0.05). No added benefit was observed in feeding VE8 over plant extracts in terms of improving fatty acid composition and lipid health indices and reducing lipid oxidation in breast meat.

Effect of dietary essential oil of oregano on performance parameters, gastrointestinal traits, blood lipid profile, and antioxidant capacity of laying hens during the pullet phase

Many benefits have been found in supplementing essential oils such as oregano oil (EOO) to poultry, including increased body weight gain, antioxidant activity, and better gastrointestinal morphology. However, few studies tested the influence of EOO supplementation on laying hens and reported conflicting results regarding its efficacy in improving their health and performance. Therefore, we aimed to explore the effects of dietary EOO on performance, gastrointestinal (GIT) traits, blood lipid, and antioxidant capacity in laying hens during the rearing phase. A total of 300-day-old Hy-line-Brown chicks were used, and treatment diets consisted of corn-soybean based either without (CON) or with EOO (Ecodiar®, 0.275 g/kg diet). Birds were randomized across treatments with five pens/treatment and 30-birds/pen. Pen weights and feed rejected were recorded every two weeks (1-17 weeks of age), to calculate daily feed intake (ADFI), body weight (BW), and daily weight gain (ADWG). At 11 and 14 weeks of age, blood samples were collected from 3 birds/pen and analyzed for blood lipids and antioxidant levels, and 5-birds/treatment were euthanized, and GIT traits were tested. Differences in measured parameters across weeks and between treatments were assessed using GLMM with Tukey’s Post hoc test applied to significant results in R 3.3.1 (α set at 0.05). Body weights at weeks 3, 11, 13, and 17 were significantly higher in the EOO group compared to the CON group (all P ≤ 0.05), ADWG was significantly higher in EOO birds compared to CON birds at 9 and 13 weeks old (all P ≤ 0.05), while no significant differences in ADFI were observed between treatments across weeks of the trials. At both 11 and 17 weeks old, triglyceride levels were significantly lower, while high-density-lipoprotein levels were higher in EOO (all P ≤ 0.05). Malondialdehyde levels were lower in the EOO group versus CON (p=0.01), while EOO birds had higher glutathione levels (p=0.01) than CON. Finally, at 12 weeks old, the weight of the entire GIT and empty gizzard were higher in the EOO group versus CON (all P ≤ 0.05), while liver and spleen weights were not significantly different between groups. In conclusion, dietary oregano supplementation exerted promoting effects on the performance of Hy-Line Brown pullets.

Production Efficiency and Utility Features of Broiler Ducks Fed with Feed Thinned with Wheat Grain

The aim of this study was to evaluate the production efficiency (economics), growth, and meat quality of ducks fed with feed partially replaced with wheat. A total of 200 ducks were reared for 49 days. Each group consisted of 50 ducks (5 pens with 10 birds). For slaughter, 10 birds per group were chosen. The control group (C) was provided with a complete feed. In the experimental groups, from 42 to 49 days, the feed was replaced with wheat grains at the level of 10% (W10), 20% (W20), or 40% (W40). In the W20 and W40 groups, the cost of feed was reduced. In the W40 group, the profit per 1 kg carcass was increased by PLN 3.34 (more than 24% higher than the C group profit). A higher percentage of pectoral muscles and intramuscular fat was observed in the W20 group, with lower water content. A lower water-holding capacity (WHC) was observed in the duck leg muscles in group W40. The muscles from the W20 group had higher protein, collagen, and water content, and the fat was highest in the W40 group. A lower toughness of cooked meat was observed in the W20 group, and lower shear force in the pectoral muscles of groups C and W40. Thinning feed with wheat grains could represent an alternative to conventional feeding of broiler ducks, owing to reduced feed costs, with no negative impact on utility features, including growth, except the share of pectoral muscle and water absorption traits.

Effect of a Carotenoid Extract from Citrus reticulata By-Products on the Immune-Oxidative Status of Broilers

Although carotenoids generally possess antimicrobial and antioxidant properties, the in vivo synergistic action of carotenoid blends derived from plant-based by-products has not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the carotenoid characterization and antimicrobial potential of Citrus reticulata extract as well as the impact of this carotenoid-rich extract (CCE) dietary supplementation on the performance, meat quality, and immune-oxidative status of broiler chickens were determined. One hundred and twenty one-day-old hatched chicks (Ross 308) were allocated to two dietary groups, with four replicate pens of 15 birds each. Birds were fed either a basal diet (CON) or the basal diet supplemented with 0.1% CCE (25 mg carotenoid extract included in 1 g of soluble starch) for 42 d. β-Cryptoxanthin, β-Carotene, Zeaxanthin, and Lutein were the prevailing carotenoid compounds in the Citrus reticulata extract. The CCE feed additive exerted inhibitory properties against both Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and negative (Klebsiella oxytoca, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella typhimurium) bacteria. Both the broiler performance and meat quality did not substantially differ, while the breast muscle malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration tended to decrease (p = 0.070) in the CCE-fed broilers. The inclusion of CCE decreased the alanine aminotransferase and MDA concentration, and the activity of glutathione peroxidase, while the activity of superoxide dismutase was increased in the blood. Catalase and NADPH oxidase 2 relative transcript levels were significantly downregulated in the livers of the CCE-fed broilers. Additionally, Interleukin 1β and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) relative transcript levels were downregulated in the livers of the CCE- fed broilers, while TNF and interferon γ (IFNG) tended to decrease in the spleens and bursa of Fabricius, respectively. The present study provided new insights regarding the beneficial properties of carotenoids contained in Citrus reticulata in broilers’ immune-oxidative status. These promising outcomes could be the basis for further research under field conditions.

Cooked broiler meat quality affected by different Mediterranean medicinal plants in the diet

Objective

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of adding oregano (Origanum syriacum L.) and germander (Teucrium polium L.) to poultry diets individually and/or in combination: i) on cooked chicken meat quality and storage stability, ii) to compare this effect with those of the synthetic antioxidant butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA) and with the normal basic diet (Control: without supplements).

Methods

Broilers (140 birds) were raised for 21 days and then equally divided into five different treatment groups of 28 birds each. The dietary treatments were as follows: i) control; ii) germander (GER, 1.5%); iii) oregano (ORE, 2.5%); iv) combination of GER and ORE (CM, 1.5%, and 2.5%); v) BHA (0.02%). Meat patties from the five treatments were prepared, cooked, and stored at 4°C prior to analysis. During storage, samples were measured for thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS) and total carbonyl levels at 0, 4, and 7 days. In addition, cooked thigh meat was prepared separately to evaluate cooking loss and sensory attributes.

Results

The CM dietary treatment showed the highest antioxidant effect, with decreasing TBARS values (breast and thigh meat) throughout the storage time (4 to 7 days). Furthermore, ORE showed a higher antioxidant effect, decreasing the rancidity development (TBARS values), compared to the GER during the storage period (days 0 to 7). The anti-carbonyl effect of the CM supplement was the highest among all treatments from day 0 to 7. Generally, the antioxidant effect of GER was lower compared to that of ORE and BHA alone. The CM treatment most significantly decreased off-odor and rancidity development, with the lowest oxidation odor scores.

Conclusion

The results indicate that the combination of oregano and germander in the diet of boilers improves meat quality and prolongs shelf life.

Antioxidant Status of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Supplemented with Vinification By-Products: A Valorization Approach

Vinification by-products display great potential for utilization as feed additives rich in antioxidant compounds. Thus, the effect of dietary ground grape pomace (GGP), wine lees extract rich in yeast cell walls (WYC), and grape stem extracts (PE) on the relative expression of several genes involved in liver oxidative mechanisms and the oxidative status of the blood and breast muscle of broiler chickens was investigated. In total, 240 one-day-old as hatched chicks (Ross 308) were assigned to four treatments, with four replicate pens and 15 birds in each pen. Birds were fed either a basal diet (CON) or a basal diet supplemented with 25 g/kg GGP, or 2 g/kg WYC, or 1 g starch including 100 mg pure stem extract/kg (PE) for 42 days. The polyphenolic content of vinification by-products was determined using an LC-MS/MS library indicating as prevailing compounds procyanidin B1 and B2, gallic acid, caftaric acid, (+)-catechin, quercetin, and trans-resveratrol. Body weight and feed consumption were not significantly affected. The relative transcript level of GPX1 and SOD1 tended to increase in the liver of WYC-fed broilers, while NOX2 tended to decrease in the PE group. SOD activity in blood plasma was significantly increased in WYC and PE compared to the CON group. The total antioxidant capacity measured with FRAP assay showed significantly higher values in the breast muscle of PE-fed broilers, while the malondialdehyde concentration was significantly decreased in both WYC- and PE-fed broilers compared to the CON group. The exploitation of vinification by-products as feed additives appears to be a promising strategy to improve waste valorization and supply animals with bioactive molecules capable of improving animals' oxidative status and products' oxidative stability.

Effects of dietary oregano essential oil supplementation on growth performance, intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity, and intestinal microbiota in yellow-feathered chickens

Essential oils are plant-derived aromatic volatile oils, and they contain bioactive compounds that have been shown to improve poultry nutrition. In this study, we investigated the effects of oregano essential oil (OEO) on intestinal antioxidative capacity, immunity, and gut microbiota of young yellow-feathered chickens. A total of nine hundred and sixty 1-d-old female Qingyuan partridge chickens were randomly allocated to four treatment groups with six replicates of 40 birds each, and the feeding trial was lasted for 30 d. The controls were fed on a basal diet without in-feed antibiotics; the birds in the antibiotic group were fed the basal diet supplemented with 20 mg/kg virginiamycin; the remaining birds were fed the basal diet containing 150 or 300 mg/kg OEO, respectively. Dietary supplementation with 150 or 300 mg/kg OEO increased average daily feed intake (P = 0.057) and average daily gain (P < 0.05). The activities of glutathione peroxidase and total antioxidative capacity in plasma, jejuna, and ileal mucosa were increased by OEO supplementation (P < 0.05), with a trend of lower jejunal content of malonaldehyde (P = 0.062). Moreover, dietary OEO increased the content of secretory immunoglobulin A (P = 0.078) and the relative expression of Claudin 1, Mucin 2, and Avain beta-defensin 1 in ileum (P < 0.05). Sequencing data of 16S rRNA indicated that dietary OEO increased the relative abundance of Firmicutes phylum, and Clostridium and Lactobacillus genera, and decreasing that of Romboutsia. Functional analyses indicated that microbial amino sugar and nucleotide sugar metabolism, replication, and repair systems were higher in OEO groups than those of controls and antibiotic treatment. In conclusion, dietary supplementation with OEO enhanced growth performance, alleviated local oxidative stress in intestine, improved production of natural antibodies, and favorably modulated intestinal microbiota composition.

Composition, antioxidant capacity, intestinal, and immunobiological effects of oregano (Lippia palmeri Watts) in goats: preliminary in vitro and in vivo studies

This study investigated Lippia palmeri Watt (oregano) phytochemical compounds, their antioxidant capacity, and immunological effects on goat peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL), and on the presence of intermediate polar compounds in goat feces fed dietary oregano. The polar and nonpolar fractions of L. palmeri W. were characterized and phytochemical contents and antioxidant capacity were determined. Twelve healthy Anglo-Nubian goats were used for the in vivo trials, which were randomly assigned to control fed with basal diet, or oregano group fed with basal diet + 2.6% (DM basis) dried oregano leaves. Goat peripheral blood leukocytes (PBL) were isolated for the in vitro study, and PBL were stimulated with oregano extracts at 100 and 150 μg/mL after 24 h. For the in vivo trial, dietary oregano (2.6% on DM basis) was evaluated in the goats for 90 days. Relatively high abundance of carvacrol and thymol phytochemical compounds was found in oregano. The highest antioxidant capacity of oregano extracts was detected at 100 and 150 μg/mL. Nitric oxide production, phagocytosis, and superoxide dismutase activities increased (p < 0.05) in stimulated PBL with oregano extracts, whereas the pro-inflammatory (TNF-α and IL-1β) transcription and antioxidant (CAT and GPX-4) genes downregulated. In the in vivo experiment, dietary oregano enabled the detection of nine compounds found in goat feces, from which caproic (C6) was in a high relative quantity compared with the control group. Oregano has phytochemical compounds with strong antioxidant capacity that protect cells against oxidative stress damage and could modulate immune response and feces composition in goats.

Effect of oregano essential oil supplementation on performance, biochemical, hematological parameters and intestinal histomorphometry of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix Japonica)

This study was performed to evaluate the efficacy of two levels of dietary oregano essential oil (OEO) on growth performances, biochemical, hematological parameters, and intestinal histomorphology in Japanese quail. A total number of 99 quail chicks were divided into three groups (33 quails per group): Control, OEO 150 mg kg^-1, and OEO 300 mg kg^-1 treated groups for 42 days. Feed conversion ratio (FCR), feed intake, weight gain, and edible organ weight were recorded. Biochemical and hematological parameters were determined. Histomorphological examination of hepatic and intestinal tissues was performed. FCR was significantly improved and feed intake was significantly decreased in OEO 150 mg kg^-1 group compared to control. No detectable changes were observed in the lipid profile. Meanwhile, total protein, albumin, globulin, and H/L ratio were significantly increased in OEO 300 mg kg^-1 at day 21. Uric acid and creatinine were significantly increased in the OEO 300 mg kg^-1 group at day 42. A significant increase was observed in the whole thickness of the small intestine in the OEO 150 mg kg^-1 group besides a significant increase in villi length, width, and crypt depth. Vacuolar and fatty degeneration of the hepatocytes along with Kupffer cell hypertrophy was observed in OEO 300 mg kg^-1 group. It was concluded that OEO 150 mg kg^-1 improved the quail's performance, intestinal histomorphometry as well as hematological parameters with no negative impacts on biochemical parameters.

Effects of dietary Origanum vulgare on gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.) immune and antioxidant status

Origanum sp. is a very common genus of aromatic plants worldwide distributed around the Mediterranean area and O. vulgare (oregano) is the most important species of this genus throughout the world. Due the known medicinal properties of oregano, the effect of diets enriched with 0% (control), 0.5% and 1% oregano leaves powder was studied on the growth, immune and antioxidant status of gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata L.). Fish fed with oregano 0.5% and 1% enriched diets improved both humoral (IgM and bactericidal activity in skin mucus and protease activity in serum) and cellular (head kidney leucocytes phagocytic ability) immunity at 15 and 30 days. Furthermore, the addition of oregano did not provoke any significant effect neither in the growth promotion nor in the liver antioxidant enzymes activity studied in the serum and skin mucus. The possibility of using O. vulgare as a functional additive to fish diet is discussed.

Magnolol additive improves carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by modulating antioxidative status

Magnolol rich in Magnolia officinalis is a bioactive polyphenolic compound. The aim of this study was to clarify the effects of magnolol additive (MA) on carcass and meat quality, biochemical characteristics and antioxidative capacity of Linwu ducks, by comparing it to that of antibiotic additive (colistin sulphate, CS). A total of 275 49-d-old ducks were randomly assigned to 5 groups with 5 cages of 11 ducks each and fed by the diets supplemented with 0, 100, 200 and 300 mg of MA/kg and 30 mg of CS/kg for 3 weeks, respectively. The results revealed that MA administration not only increased dressed percentage (calculated as a percentage of live weight), percentage of breast muscle, leg muscle and lean meat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), but also remarkably increased a*_{45 min} and pH_{45 min} of leg muscle. Moreover, MA administration decreased the percentage of abdominal fat (calculated as a percentage of eviscerated weight), 45-min cooking loss, water loss rate of leg muscle, 45-min cooking loss and drip loss of breast muscle at 24 hr and 48 hr. Furthermore, MA administration enhanced the activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in serum or liver, serum total antioxidant capacity and hepatic reduced glutathione concentration significantly, compared with the basal diet or CS group (p < .05). On the other hand, triglyceride, total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, malondialdehyde, protein carbonyl and 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine contents in serum and liver were significantly increased in Linwu ducks fed with CS, compared with MA groups (p < .05). Taken together, these data demonstrated that magnolol could effectively improve the carcass and meat quality of Linwu ducks by regulating the in vivo antioxidant status and would be a potential candidate to replace antibiotic.

Egg Production, Egg Quality, Blood Profiles, Cecal Microflora, and Excreta Noxious Gas Emission in Laying Hens Fed with Fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) Seed Extract

This study was designed to investigate the effects of dietary fenugreek seed extract (FSE) supplementation on egg production, egg quality, blood profiles, cecal microflora, and excreta noxious gas emission in laying hens. A total of 384 laying hens (26-weeks old, Hyline-brown) were fed three different levels of FSE (0, 0.05, and 0.1%) in a cornsoybean diet for 6 weeks. The inclusion of FSE in the laying hen diet did not affect egg production, feed intake, or feed conversion among treatments; however, egg weight, eggshell breaking strength, eggshell thickness, and yolk color increased in FSE-fed groups (linear, P<0.05). Supplemental FSE decreased the serum total cholesterol concentration, whereas the HDL-cholesterol concentration increased in the FSE fed-groups (linear, P<0.05). FSE led to an increase in cecal Lactobacillus number (linear, P<0.05), and a decrease in Escherichia coli number (quadratic, P<0.05) and excreta ammonia gas emission (linear, P<0.05). These results suggest that the addition of FSE does not increase egg production, but may affect egg quality, serum total- and HDL-cholesterol concentration, and cecal microflora. FSE also decreased ammonia gas emission in laying hen excreta.

Effects of dietary supplementation of oriental herbal medicine residue and methyl sulfonyl methane on the growth performance and meat quality of ducks

The present study was conducted to determine the effect of supplementation with oriental herbal medicine residue (OHMR) and methyl sulfonyl methane (MSM) on the growth performance and meat quality of ducks during a 42-day feeding period. In total, 270 Cherry Valley male ducklings were fed diets supplemented with 0.03% MSM alone (MSM group) and with a combination of 0.03% MSM and 0.5% OHMR (MSM–OHMR group). Supplementing the diet with a combination of OHMR and MSM resulted in a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in the mortality rate and serum total cholesterol concentration, and in an increase in the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase in duck breast muscle (Musculus pectoralis) by 3 and 6 weeks. Moreover, MSM–OHMR as well as MSM alone affected meat quality of ducks by increasing the concentrations of crude protein and sulfur content, and water-holding capacity, and by decreasing percentage moisture loss and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances during cold storage. Significant differences were detected in concentrations of total unsaturated fatty acids, monounsaturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids, which were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the MSM–OHMR group. These results suggest that diets containing MSM and OHMR possessing free-radical scavenging activities, such as for 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl and alkyl radicals, may beneficially affect growth performance and meat quality in ducks.