Meat quality attributes of male and female broilers from 4 commercial strains processed for 2 market programs

Comparative Analysis of Biochemical Parameters, Thermal Behavior, Rheological Features, and Gelling Characteristics of Thai Ligor Hybrid Chicken and Broiler Meats

Genetic differences typically cause differences in the structure and function of proteins in meat. The objective of this research was to examine the biochemical characteristics and functional behavior of proteins in fresh composite meat from Thai Ligor hybrid chicken (LC) and commercial broiler chicken (BC). The composite meat samples, which comprise minced breast and thigh without skin from 20 chicken carcasses in a 1:1 (w/w) ratio, were randomly selected for analysis using the completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that BC meat exhibited higher ultimate pH after 24 h, Ca2+-ATPase activity, and trichloroacetic acid (TCA)-soluble peptide content compared to LC meat (p < 0.05). While both meat types showed non-significant differences in reactive sulfhydryl (SH) levels (p > 0.05), LC meat exhibited higher hydrophobicity compared to BC meat (p < 0.05). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analysis revealed a single transition peak in all samples. LC meat exhibited higher thermal stability than BC meat, with transition peaks at 91 °C and 81 °C, respectively, in non-sodium chloride (NaCl) treated samples. Samples treated with 2.5% NaCl exhibited transition peaks around 70 °C for BC and 79 °C for LC. LC meat showed higher storage modulus (G') and loss modulus (G″) values than BC meat, suggesting a stronger gel-forming tendency. LC meat gels exhibited higher hardness, cohesiveness, gumminess, and chewiness, and a slightly lower pH (6.14 vs. 5.97) compared to BC meat gels (p < 0.05). LC meat gels displayed larger expressible moisture content (p < 0.05), although the value was approximately 6%. Compared to LC meat gels, BC meat gels appeared slightly whiter (p < 0.05). To compare the lipid oxidation of BC and LC meat gels day by day, the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) of gels stored at 4 °C in polyethylene bags were measured on Days 0, 4, and 8. Both BC and LC meat gels showed acceptable lipid oxidation-based rancid off-flavor after short-term storage at 4 °C, with TBARS values below 2 mg malondialdehyde (MDA) equivalent/kg on Day 8. Understanding these variations in biochemical properties and functional behavior can help optimize processing methods and produce meat products of superior quality that meet consumer preferences.

The Bioavailability of Solid-State Fermented Feather Meal Using a Novel Feather-Degrading Bacterium Bacillus velezensis PN1 in Broilers

In this study, an effective feather-degrading bacterium was isolated and the solid-state fermentation condition for feather degradation was optimized. The resulting fermented feather meal (FFM) was evaluated for its bioavailability in broilers. Four Bacillus strains were examined for feather degradation rates, with Bacillus velezensis PN1 exhibiting the highest rate (83.24%, p < 0.05). A 3 × 3 × 3 factorial design was used to test substrate moisture content (45%, 55%, 65%), temperature (27 °C, 37 °C, 47 °C), and incubation time (24, 48, 72 h) for optimized fermentation conditions. In vitro pepsin digestibility (IVPD) revealed a significant interaction between temperature and time (p < 0.05), and the optimal performance was achieved at 37 °C for 72 h, followed by 37 °C for 48 h. Considering production time and cost, FFM2 (produced with 65% moisture at 37 °C for 48 h) was further compared with FFM1 (produced under the same conditions but at a lower temperature of 27 °C), and commercial hydrolyzed feather meal (HFM). IVPD did not differ significantly between FFM1, FFM2, and HFM, as they all showed significantly higher digestibility compared to raw feathers (RFs). FFM1, as well as FFM2, had significantly higher histidine and lysine concentrations than RF (p < 0.05), while FFM2 had a significantly lower cysteine content (p < 0.05). Based on fermentation conditions and amino acid composition, FFM2 was considered more suitable for large-scale production and was used in a broiler growth trial. The inclusion of 5% FFM2 in the broiler diet did not significantly affect body weight at 35 days compared to the 5% HFM group (p > 0.05), although both groups showed significantly lower weight gain than the 5% fish meal (FM) group (p < 0.05). The feed conversion ratio and performance efficiency factor did not differ significantly between the FFM2, HFM, and FM groups (p > 0.05). In groups fed diets without supplemental crystalline amino acids, growth performance did not significantly differ between the HFM and FFM2 groups (p > 0.05), although both performed significantly worse than groups with amino acid supplementation. In conclusion, FFM produced by B. velezensis PN1 through solid-state fermentation enhances feather bioavailability in poultry and can completely replace HFM when included at 5% in broiler diets, offering a potential sustainable alternative for poultry nutrition on a commercial scale.

Does the marketing age impact growth performance, carcass traits, economic feasibility and hemato-biochemical properties of genetically-modified quails?

The meat of the quail is one of the most delicious types, as it is rich in minerals and vitamins, especially vitamin K, which is useful in treating nervous diseases. In the present investigation, based on their live body weight, 270 genetically-enhanced white quail chicks of mixed sex were randomly assigned to 3 groups, each with 90 chicks. The first group's birds were slaughtered at 28 d of age. The birds in the second group were slaughtered at 31 d, and the birds in the third group were slaughtered at 34 d. Results showed no significant difference between the various groups in the overall mortality rate index at the end of each fattening stage (P > 0.05). There were substantial variations (P ≤ 0.05) in the average live weight index between the first and both groups at each group's marketing age. With increasing marketing age, body weight increases. Quail chicks raised for 34 d received the lowest EPEF (28.90 points), followed by those raised for 31 d and 28 d, which received 33.37 and 37.32 points, respectively. The economic feasibility of the 3 groups, no significant differences in the profit index were observed at the age of 28 d. Compared to the marketing age of the other 2 groups, it was noted that the profit index decreased as the birds advanced in age. Delaying marketing to 31 d leads to a decrease in profit by 5.7%, and delaying marketing to 34 d reduces the profit index to 26.36% compared to marketing at 28 d. For blood hematology parameters, a significant increase in the studied indicators with the age of the birds was observed through the study of blood indicators. Still, it did not reach the significance level. It could be concluded that 28 d is the ideal marketing age for the enhanced white quails, as it yielded the highest economic return and the best performance.

Effects of nicotinamide riboside in ovo feeding on high-yield broiler performance, meat quality, and myopathy incidence

Introduction: The objective of this study was to examine the effects of in ovo nicotinamide riboside (NR) feeding on high-yield broiler growth and meat quality. Methods: Fertilized Cobb 700 by-product eggs (N = 3,240) were randomly assigned to one of four in ovo treatments and injected with 0 (0NR), 250 (250NR), 500 (500NR), or 1,000 (1,000NR) mM NR at incubation-day 10. Chicks were hatched, vent sexed, and randomly placed 18 per pen in one of 32 floor pens. On day 48, birds were processed and deboned. Results: There were dose effects for all part weights (p < 0.05). Pectoralis major weight of 250, 500, and 1,000NR carcasses were heavier than 0NR (p < 0.03) but did not differ from remaining NR doses (p > 0.26). Pectoralis minor weight of 250NR carcasses was greater (p < 0.01) than 0NR and did not differ from other NR tenders (p > 0.21). Pectoralis minor weight of 500 and 1,000NR carcasses was greater than 0NR (p < 0.09), but did not differ (P = 0.82) from each other. There were no dose effects for all Pectoralis major and minor myopathy scores and incidence except incidence of tenders scoring "0" and "1" for woody-like tender. Percentage of NR1,000 tenders scoring 0 and 1 for woody-like tender were less than and greater than all other treatments, respectively (p < 0.05). There were no differences among remaining NR doses and NR0 tenders (p > 0.10). There were dose effects for muscle fiber number (P = 0.03). There tended to be more muscle fibers within 250 and 1,000NR muscles compared to 0NR (p < 0.09). Pectoralis major muscle from 500NR did not differ in muscle fiber number compared to 250 and 1,000NR (p > 0.18), but had more (p < 0.01) fibers than 0NR muscle. There tended to be more fibers in 250 and 1,000NR muscles compared to 0NR muscle (p < 0.09). Discussion: Nicotinamide riboside in ovo feeding caused birds to produce heavier parts; however, myopathy scores and incidence were minimally affected which may have been due greater muscle fiber number.

Effects of sex on meat quality traits, amino acid and fatty acid compositions, and plasma metabolome profiles in White King squabs

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of sex on meat quality and the composition of amino and fatty acids in the breast muscles of White King pigeon squabs. Untargeted metabolomics was also conducted to distinguish the metabolic composition of plasma in different sexes. Compared with male squabs, female squabs had greater intramuscular fat (IMF) deposition and lower myofiber diameter and hydroxyproline content, leading to a lower shear force. Female squabs also had higher monounsaturated fatty acid and lower n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid proportions in the breast muscle, and had greater lipogenesis capacity via upregulation of PPARγ, FAS and LPL gene expression. Moreover, female squabs had lower inosine 5'-monophosphate, essential, free and sweet-tasting amino acid contents. Furthermore, Spearman's correlations between the differential plasma metabolites and key meat parameters were assessed, and putrescine, N-acetylglutamic acid, phophatidylcholine (18:0/P-16:0) and trimethylamine N-oxide were found to contribute to meat quality. In summary, the breast meat of male squabs may have better nutritional value than that of females, but it may inferior in terms of sensory properties, which can be attributed to the lower IMF content and higher shear force value. Our findings enhance our understanding of sex variation in squab meat quality, providing a basis for future research on pigeon breeding.

Development and validation of a near-infrared spectroscopy model for the prediction of muscle protein in Chinese native chickens

This study investigated the ability of the near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) model to predict the protein of freeze-dried muscle samples in Chinese native chickens and to determine the accuracy of the models for other native chicken breeds. Spectral pretreatment, wavelength selection, and outlier sample elimination were used to optimize the calibration models. The results showed that the best model was obtained by using a combination of standard normal variable transformation and gap-segment first-derivative pretreatment spectra after removing 48 outliers in the wavelength range of 1,439 to 1,900 nm, with coefficient of determination for the calibration (R2C) of 0.95, standard error of cross-validation (SECV) of 1.18, coefficient of determination for the prediction (R2P) of 0.95, the ratio of the standard deviation of the validation to the standard deviation of the calibration (RPDP) of 4.62. The findings indicated that NIRS can be used to predict the protein of freeze-dried muscle in Chinese native chickens.

Effect of a microencapsulated phyto/phycogenic blend supplementation on growth performance, processing parameters, meat quality, and sensory profile in male broilers

Powered by consumer taste, value, and preferences, natural products including phytogenics and algae are increasingly and separately used in the food systems where they have been reported to improve growth performance in poultry and livestock. The present study aimed to determine the effects of a new feed additive, microencapsulated NUQO© NEX, which contains a combination of phytogenic and phycogenic, on broiler growth performance, blood chemistry, bone health, meat quality and sensory profile. Male Cobb500 chicks (n = 1,197) were fed a 3-phase feeding intervals; 1-14d starter, 15-28d grower, and 29-40d finisher. The dietary treatments included a corn-soy basal Control (CON), basal diet supplemented with NUQO© NEX at 100 g/ton from 1 to 28d then 75 g/ton from d 28 to 40 (NEX75), and basal diet supplemented with NUQO© NEX at 100 g/ton from 1 to 40d (NEX100). The NEX100 supplemented birds had 62 g more BWG increase and 2.1-point improvement in FCR compared with CON in the finisher and overall growth phase (p < 0.05), respectively. Day 40 processing body weights and carcass weights were heavier for the NEX100 supplemented birds (p < 0.05). The incidences of muscle myopathies were also higher in NEX treatments, which could be associated with the heavier weights, but the differences were not detected to be significant. The NEX75 breast filets had more yellowness than other dietary treatments (p = 0.003) and the NEX 100 treatment reduced the levels of breast filet TBARS at 7 days-post harvest (p = 0.053). Finally, both NEX treatments reduced the incidence of severe bone (tibia and femur) lesions. In conclusion, the supplementation of the phytogenic NUQO© NEX improved finisher performance parameters, whole phase FCR, processing carcass weights, and breast filet yellowness, at varying inclusion levels.