The effects of dietary hesperidin supplementation on broiler performance and chicken meat characteristics

Growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat sensory evaluation of broiler chickens fed diets with fermented cassava leaves

OBJECTIVE

The objective of the study was to determine the effects of feeding fermented cassava leaf meal (FCLM) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and meat sensory evaluation of broiler chickens.

METHODS

A total of 160 Cobb-500 chickens were used during the phases of growing (21 days of age; initial weight 0.39±0.025 kg/bird) and finishing (35 days of age; initial weight 1.023±0.164 kg/bird). The whole experiment lasted for four weeks. The FCLM was included in starter and finishing diets at 0, 50, 100, and 150 g/kg inclusion levels. Total feed intake (TFI), weight gain (WG), feed conversion ratio, and nutrient digestibility were recorded. Sensory evaluation of breast meat was used to determine the eating quality of the meat prepared using roasting and boiling methods.

RESULTS

The TFI and WG decreased (p<0.05) with increasing inclusion levels of FCLM in the diets of growing chickens. Crude protein digestibility for chickens fed 0 and 50 g/kg FCLM was higher (p<0.05) than for chickens subjected to a diet with 150 g/kg FCLM. During the finishing phase, TFI increased linearly (p<0.05) with increasing inclusion level of FCLM in chicken diets, while WG decreased (p<0.05) with inclusion level of FCLM. Treatment diets had no effect (p>0.05) on the eating qualities of breast meat. However, juiciness was significant (p<0.05) for the cooking method and treatment interaction. At 50 g/kg inclusion level, boiled meat had a higher (p<0.05) juiciness score than roasted meat. Tenderness, on the other hand, was significant (p<0.05) for the interaction of gender and treatment. Females considered the boiled meat to be more tender than the males at 150 g/kg inclusion level. Using principal component analysis, a positive correlation was observed between teeth adhesion and fibrousness, flavour and juiciness, and springiness and tenderness.

CONCLUSION

From the study, it can be concluded that FCLM can be used as an ingredient in the diets of broiler chickens. Inclusion level of 50 g/kg can be used in chicken diets during the growing phase, whereas in the finishing phase, inclusion level of 150 g/kg FCLM can be used. The FCLM did not affect the eating quality of breast meat.

Effects of Micellar Quercetin Supplementation on Growth Performance, Nutrient Digestibility, Fecal Microbiota, Meat Quality, and Physiological Status in Broiler Chickens

This study investigated the impacts of micellar quercetin (MQ) supplementation on growth performance, meat stability, excreta gas emissions, and physiological status. During a 35-day trial, 640 Ross 308 broilers were utilized. These birds were one day old, with an average initial body weight of 43.34 ± 1.43 g. They were randomly distributed across four experimental diets, each consisting of 10 replicate pens with 16 chicks per pen. The diets included the following: control (CON) with 0% micellar quercetin (MQ), TRT1 with 0.025% MQ, TRT2 with 0.050% MQ, and TRT3 with 0.100% MQ. The results indicate that broilers fed diets with increasing levels of MQ exhibited significantly higher body weight gains (BWGs) compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There was a clear linear increase in the breast muscle percentage with higher levels of quercetin supplementation (p < 0.05), while the breast color remained consistent across all groups (p > 0.05). Both cooking loss and drip loss exhibited a linear decrease as MQ levels in the diet increased (p < 0.05). The level of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) tended to decrease with higher MQ levels. Thyroxine (T4) and lymphocyte levels also showed a linear increase with increasing MQ dosage in the diet (p < 0.05). However, no significant effects were observed on nutrient digestibility, gas emissions, or fecal microbial components (Lactobacillus, E. coli, and Salmonella) with higher levels of MQ supplementation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, augmenting quercetin levels in the diet positively influenced the BWG, breast muscle development, and meat quality parameters such as cooking loss and drip loss, with beneficial effects on blood profiles.

Influences of flavonoid (quercetin) inclusion to corn-soybean-gluten meal-based diet on broiler performance

Quercetin (a predominant flavonoid) is considered to have antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. This trial was conducted to evaluate the impact of graded doses of quercetin (QS) on growth efficiency, nutrient retention, faecal score, footpad lesion score, tibia ash and meat quality. In a 32-day feeding test, a total of 576 1-day-old Ross 308 broilers (male) were allocated arbitrarily with an average body weight of 41 ± 0.5 g. The trial had four dietary treatments with eight repetitions of 18 birds per pen and a basal diet incorporating 0%, 0.02%, 0.04% and 0.06% of QS. As the QS dosage increased, body weight gain tended to increase linearly on Days 9-21 (p = 0.069) and overall period (p = 0.079). Similarly, feed intake increased (p = 0.009) linearly with the increasing doses of QS on Days 9-21. Likewise, there was a linear improvement in dry matter (p = 0.002) and energy (p = 0.016) digestibility after QS administration. Moreover, the inclusion of QS supplement (0%-0.06%) linearly increased (p = 0.012) tibia ash in broilers. However, the faecal score and footpad lesion score showed no significant outcome (p > 0.05). By giving broilers a graded amount of QS, the relative organ weights of breast muscle (p = 0.009) and spleen (p = 0.006) improved linearly, meat colour lightness increased (p = 0.015), redness tended to improve (p = 0.065) linearly and drip loss decreased (p = 0.015) linearly. The inclusion of QS in the graded-level diet led to improvements in growth efficiency, nutrient absorption, meat quality and tibia ash, which recommended it as a beneficial feed additive for the broiler.

Antioxidant Activity, Metabolism, and Bioavailability of Polyphenols in the Diet of Animals

As the world’s population grows, so does the need for more and more animal feed. In 2006, the EU banned the use of antibiotics and other chemicals in order to reduce chemical residues in food consumed by humans. It is well known that oxidative stress and inflammatory processes must be combated to achieve higher productivity. The adverse effects of the use of pharmaceuticals and other synthetic compounds on animal health and product quality and safety have increased interest in phytocompounds. With the use of plant polyphenols in animal nutrition, they are gaining more attention as a supplement to animal feed. Livestock feeding based on a sustainable, environmentally friendly approach (clean, safe, and green agriculture) would also be a win–win for farmers and society. There is an increasing interest in producing healthier products of animal origin with a higher ratio of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) to saturated fatty acids by modulating animal nutrition. Secondary plant metabolites (polyphenols) are essential chemical compounds for plant physiology as they are involved in various functions such as growth, pigmentation, and resistance to pathogenic organisms. Polyphenols are exogenous antioxidants that act as one of the first lines of cell defense. Therefore, the discoveries on the intracellular antioxidant activity of polyphenols as a plant supplement have contributed significantly to the improvement of antioxidant activity, as polyphenols prevent oxidative stress damage and eliminate excessively produced free radicals. To achieve animal welfare, reduce stress and the need for medicines, and increase the quality of food of animal origin, the addition of polyphenols to research and breeding can be practised in part with a free-choice approach to animal nutrition.

Dietary Orange Pulp and Organic Selenium Effects on Growth Performance, Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profile, and Oxidative Stability Parameters of Broiler Chickens

In this study, orange pulp (OP) and/or organic Se were fed to broilers in order to investigate their effects on the performance, behavior, breast meat quality, and oxidative stability. A total of 240 chicks were allocated to four groups: a control group; an OP group, fed with OP at 50 g/kg of diet; a Se group, fed with organic Se at 0.15 ppm; and an OP + Se group, fed with OP and organic Se at 50 g/kg and 0.15 ppm, respectively. The selenium and OP + Se groups showed improved meat oxidative stability during frozen storage from 90 to 210 days (p < 0.05), whereas the performance and meat quality were unaffected by the dietary treatments (p > 0.05), apart from a reduction in the meat pH and the dressing percentage in the OP-supplemented groups (p < 0.05). A synergistic action between OP and Se was observed for the meat oxidative stability. The polyunsaturated fatty acid (FA) and α-linolenic acid (ALA) contents in the breast meat lipid fractions were increased in the OP groups (p < 0.05). Dietary intervention did not affect the feeding or drinking behaviors of the broilers (p > 0.05). The dietary supplementation of broiler chickens with the citrus industry byproduct orange pulp at 50 g/kg, along with organic Se at 0.15 ppm, beneficially improves the meat oxidative stability and the meat nutritional value, with no negative side effects on the performance or the meat quality.

The effect of essential oils on cholesterol content in chicken meat

The study aimed to investigate cholesterol content in chicken breast and thigh muscles by the influence of feed supplements of various content of essential oils. The experiment was carried out under practical conditions in a poultry farm with broiler chickens of the Cobb 500 hybrid combination according to the feed supplement used thyme essential oil, cinnamon essential oil, commercial citrus fruit essential oil, and their combination. The control group was without the use of experimental feed supplements and commercial coccidiostats were used in their feed mixtures. The experiment lasted 40 days in welfare conditions. Broiler chickens were used for sample preparation of breast and thigh muscles with the skin and their analysis for dry matter, fat and cholesterol contents. Samples were analyzed using a Nicolet 6700 FT-IR Fourier transform infrared spectrometer. The results were processed by the SAS system program, version 8.2. The results, which were evaluated, indicated a tendency to reduce the cholesterol content in chicken breast muscle due to cinnamon essential oil and the combination of cinnamon essential oil with citrus fruit essential oil as well as thyme essential oil with citrus fruit essential. In the achieved results of dry matter, fat, and cholesterol content in breast and thigh muscles, the difference between the effects of the used feed supplements based on essential oils and concerning the control group were not statistically significant p >0.05. The correlation was a statistically significant strong linear relation only between dry matter content and fat content due to thyme and cinnamon essential oils. In conclusion, it was stated that the investigation of the feed supplement effect based on essential oils is an open question concerning the production of safe food of animal origin.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Yield, Quality, and Oxidative Status of Poultry Products: A Review of the Literature of the Last 20 Years

Scientific evidence demonstrates that plant feed additives (PFA) can be a viable alternative to synthetic antioxidant vitamins in poultry nutrition. PFA are represented by plants, essential oils, plant extracts, and by-products from herbal or crop processing. The use of PFA in the feed industry has increased in recent years as their biologically active compounds (polyphenols) have demonstrated antimicrobial and antioxidant effects in food-producing animals. However, few trials have directly compared the effects of PFA with synthetic vitamins. After a systematic literature review of studies comparing the effects of PFA and synthetic vitamins on poultry products in the last 20 years (2000–2020), a total of 44 peer-reviewed articles were included in the present work. A positive effect of PFA on poultry products’ oxidative stability during storage, organoleptic characteristics, and fatty acids profile has been observed without a specific impact on their performances. The effects of PFA are variable but often similar to those of vitamin E, suggesting the opportunity for a partial substitution of the latter in poultry diets.

Plant Feed Additives as Natural Alternatives to the Use of Synthetic Antioxidant Vitamins on Poultry Performances, Health, and Oxidative Status: A Review of the Literature in the Last 20 Years

Plant feed additives (PFA) such as essential oils, extracts, and by-products from plant processing can be included in poultry diets. A total of 39 peer-reviewed articles were selected from the literature published in the last 20 years (2000–2020) comparing PFA antioxidant effects with synthetic antioxidant vitamins (mainly vitamin E) in poultry nutrition. The PFA can be used as an effective nutritional strategy to face poultry’s oxidative stress with positive impact also on their productivity and efficiency. They can partially or completely replace antioxidant synthetic vitamins (the latter administered at doses between 150 and 500 mg/kg) in animal diets, sometimes affecting important physiological functions or expressing synergistic effect with the synthetic antioxidants. It is crucial to take into consideration the issues related to the absorption and the metabolism of these additives and their interaction with gut microbiota. However, some form- and dose-dependent negative effects on growth performances are observed.

Hesperidin and Naringin Improve Broiler Meat Fatty Acid Profile and Modulate the Expression of Genes Involved in Fatty Acid β-oxidation and Antioxidant Defense in a Dose Dependent Manner

The beneficial properties of the flavanones hesperidin and naringin as feed additives in poultry have lately been under investigation. In broilers, both flavanones have been shown to exhibit antioxidant properties while their individual effects on fatty acid (FA) composition and the underlying molecular mechanisms of their activity have not been explored. Here, we studied their effects on broiler meats' FA profiles and on the expression of genes related to lipid metabolism, antioxidant defense and anti-inflammatory function. The experimental design comprised six treatment groups of broilers, each supplemented from day 11 until slaughter at 42 days with hesperidin, naringin or vitamin E, as follows: the E1 group received 0.75 g of hesperidin per kg of feed, E2 received 1.5 g hesperidin/kg feed, N1 received 0.75 g naringin/kg feed, N2 received 1.5 g naringin/kg feed, vitamin E (VE) received 0.2 g a-tocopheryl acetate/kg feed, and the control group was not provided with a supplemented feed. The VE treatment group served as a positive control for antioxidant activity. An analysis of the FA profiles of the abdominal adipose tissue (fat pad), major pectoralis (breast) and biceps femoris (thigh) muscles showed that both hesperidin and naringin had significant effects on saturated FA (SFA), polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) and omega n-6 content. Both compounds reduced SFA and increased PUFA and n-6 content, as well as reducing the atherogenicity and thrombogenicity indices in the breast muscle and fat pad. The effects on the thigh muscle were limited. An analysis of gene expression in the liver revealed that naringin significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), Acyl-CoA oxidase 1 (ACOX1) and glutathione disulfide reductase (GSR) expression. In the breast muscle, both hesperidin and naringin increased fatty acid synthase (FASN) expression and hesperidin increased the expression of adiponectin. In brief, both hesperidin and naringin supplementation beneficially affected FA profiles in the breast meat and fat pad of broiler chicken. These effects could be attributed to an increase in FA β-oxidation since the increased expression of related genes (PPARα and ACOX1) was observed in the liver. Furthermore, the antioxidant activity of hesperidin and naringin previously observed in the meat of broilers could be attributed, at least partly, to the regulation of antioxidant defense genes, as evidenced by the increased GSR expression in response to naringin supplementation.

Dietary Polyphenol Supplementation in Food Producing Animals: Effects on the Quality of Derived Products

Simple Summary

Polyphenols are secondary plant metabolites mainly known for their antioxidant properties. Their use as feed additives in the nutrition of farm animals is becoming increasingly popular as they are particularly exposed to oxidative stress which is reflected in a lipoperoxidation of the final product. For this reason, it is essential to preserve the quality and the safety of meat and milk products by attenuating oxidative deterioration. Moreover, polyphenols present the advantage of being more acceptable to the consumers than synthetic counterparts, as they are considered to be “non-toxic”. The present review presents an overview of several studies focused on the dietary supplementation of polyphenols to monogastric and ruminants, as well as their direct addition to meat and dairy products, with particular emphasis on their antioxidant effects on the final product.

Abstract

The growing interest in producing healthier animal products with a higher ratio of polyunsaturated to saturated fatty acids, is associated with an increase in lipoperoxidation. For this reason, it is essential to attenuate oxidative deterioration in the derived products. Natural antioxidants such as polyphenols represent a good candidate in this respect. The first part of the review highlights the occurrence, bioavailability, and the role of polyphenols in food-producing animals that, especially in intensive systems, are exposed to stressful situations in which oxidation plays a crucial role. The second part offers an overview of the effects of polyphenols either supplemented to the diet of monogastric and ruminants or added directly to meat and dairy products on the physicochemical and sensorial properties of the product. From this review emerges that polyphenols play an important, though not always clear, role in the quality of meat and meat products, milk and dairy products. It cannot be ruled out that different compounds or amounts of polyphenols may lead to different results. However, the inclusion of agro-industrial by-products rich in polyphenols, in animal feed, represents an innovative and alternative source of antioxidants as well as being useful in reducing environmental and economic impact.

Effects of dietary alfalfa protein concentrate on lipid metabolism and antioxidative status of serum and composition and fatty acid profile and antioxidative status and dietetic value of muscles in broilers

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of addition of alfalfa protein concentrate (APC) at the dose of 15 g or 30 g per 1 kg on the chemical composition, fatty acid profile, dietary value, and antioxidant status in muscles and serum of Ross 308 chickens. The experiment involved 150 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens allocated into 3 groups in 5 replications (10 birds per pen). A 1-way system with 2 levels of APC, 15 g or 30 g per 1 kg of a complete diet, was used. Group C receiving a standard feed mixture without APC was the control. The addition of 15 and 30 g APC increased the CP content in the breast muscle and in the thigh muscle, and reduction in the cholesterol and fat level was noted. Higher content of polyunsaturated fatty acids from the n-6 group was noted in the breast muscles of the 30-g APC-supplemented chickens. The thigh muscles with APC were characterized by more favorable values of the atherogenic index, thrombotic index, and hypocholesterol-to-hypercholesterol ratio.The supplementation with 30 g APC reduced the cholesterol and triacylglycerol levels, increased the high-density lipoprotein level, and decreased the low-density lipoprotein level and improved the antioxidant parameters in plasma (increase in superoxide dismutase and in glutathione peroxidase and reduction of malondialdehyde), compared with group C. The results of this study indicate that the supplementation with 30 g APC improved the metabolic functions of the organism, meat resistance to oxidative processes, and the composition and profile of fatty acids. Therefore, APC can be a potential alternative to synthetic feed additives and soya protein in production of healthier poultry meat.

Gut Microbiota-Polyphenol Interactions in Chicken: A Review

The gastrointestinal tract of the chicken harbors very complex and diverse microbial communities including both beneficial and harmful bacteria. However, a dynamic balance is generally maintained in such a way that beneficial bacteria predominate over harmful ones. Environmental factors can negatively affect this balance, resulting in harmful effects on the gut, declining health, and productivity. This means modulating changes in the chicken gut microbiota is an effective strategy to improve gut health and productivity. One strategy is using modified diets to favor the growth of beneficial bacteria and a key candidate are polyphenols, which have strong antioxidant potential and established health benefits. The gut microbiota-polyphenol interactions are of vital importance in their effects on the gut microbiota modulation because it affects not only the composition of gut bacteria but also improves bioavailability of polyphenols through generation of more bioactive metabolites enhancing their health effects on morphology and composition of the gut microbiota. The object of this review is to improve the understanding of polyphenol interactions with the gut microbiota and highlights their potential role in modulation of the gut microbiota of chicken.

Antioxidant status, meat oxidative stability and quality characteristics of lambs fed with hesperidin, naringin or α-tocopheryl acetate supplemented diets

BACKGROUND

Dietary supplementation of sheep with bioactive compounds such as citrus flavonoids appears as a great alternative for improving meat antioxidant capacity and could also have beneficial effects on growth performance, carcass traits and meat quality characteristics. An experiment was therefore conducted to examine the effects of hesperidin or naringin dietary supplementation on lambs' growth performance, antioxidant status and meat quality characteristics. Forty-four male 3-month-old Chios lambs were randomly assigned to four groups: C, fed with a basal diet, or H or N or VE offered the same diet further supplemented with hesperidin at 2500 mg or naringin at 2500 mg or α-tocopheryl acetate (vitamin E) at 200 mg kg^-1 feed respectively. At the end of the experiment (day 35), samples of longissimus thoracis muscle were collected for meat quality evaluation.

RESULTS

Both flavonoids and vitamin E dietary supplementation reduced plasma malondialdehyde (MDA) levels on day 35 (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in performance traits and meat quality characteristics among the experimental groups (P > 0.05). Hesperidin and naringin also reduced MDA levels in meat stored at 4 °C for up to 8 days (P < 0.05), although to a lesser extent than α-tocopheryl acetate.

CONCLUSION

Incorporation of flavonoids in sheep diets resulted in an improvement of plasma and meat antioxidant capacity. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Optimization of low power ultrasound-assisted extraction of phenolic compounds from mandarin (Citrus reticulata Blanco cv. Sainampueng) peel

Mandarin peel is a good source of phenolic compounds, which can be extracted by the ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE) method. This research was to optimize the UAE conditions for maximum mandarin peel extract (MPE) relating to the extract yield, total phenolic content and the content of a mandarin peel rich flavonoid, hesperidin, using a response surface method comparing with the maceration extraction (MAE) method. The results showed that the selected factors (temperature, time and power) have a significant influence on the extraction yield, total phenolic content and hesperidin content. The extraction at 48°C and 56.71W for 40min was considered the optimal UAE condition since it provided the maximum yield (26.52%), total phenolic (15,263.32mgEq gallic/100g DW) and hesperidin (6435.53mg/100g DW). At the same extraction temperature and time, UAE showed greater extraction efficiency than MAE with 1.77 times higher yield than that of MAE.

The Influence of Naringin or Hesperidin Dietary Supplementation on Broiler Meat Quality and Oxidative Stability

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of supplementing broiler feed with hesperidin or naringin, on growth performance, carcass characteristics, breast meat quality and the oxidative stability of breast and thigh meat. Two hundred and forty 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly assigned to 6 groups. One of the groups served as a control (C) and was given commercial basal diets, whereas the other five groups were given the same diets further supplemented with naringin at 0.75 g/kg (N1), naringin at 1.5 g/kg (N2), hesperidin at 0.75 g/kg (E1), hesperidin at 1.5 g/kg (E2) and a-tocopheryl acetate at 0.2 g/kg (E). At 42 days of age, 10 chickens per treatment group were slaughtered for meat quality and oxidative stability assessment. No significant differences were observed among groups in final body weight, carcass weight and internal organs weights (P>0.05) apart from liver that decreased linearly with increased levels of naringin (P-linear<0.05). Regarding the breast meat quality parameters, only redness (a*) value was higher in E1 and N1 group compared to VE group (P<0.05), while all the others i.e. shear values (N/mm²), pH₂₄, cooking loss (%) and L* and b* color parameters were not significantly different among groups (P>0.05). Measurement of lipid oxidation values showed that after hesperidin and naringin dietary supplementation, malondialdehyde values decreased in tissue samples in a dose depended manner (P-linear<0.05). In conclusion, hesperidin and naringin, positively influence meat antioxidative properties without negative implications on growth performance and meat quality characteristics in poultry, thus appearing as important additives for both the consumer and the industry.

Lipid stability, antioxidant potential and fatty acid composition of broilers breast meat as influenced by quercetin in combination with α-tocopherol enriched diets

Background

Dietary supplementation of antioxidants is a vital route to affect the oxidative stability and fatty acid profile of broiler meat. The supplementation of feed with antioxidants decreases degradation of lipids in muscles thereby enhances meat stability.

Methods

The present study was carried out to investigate the influence of dietary quercetin in combination with α-tocopherol on growth performance, antioxidant potential, lipid stability and fatty acid composition in breast meat of birds. Accordingly, one day old 300 Hubbard strain male broiler birds were given three levels of quercetin @100, 200 and 300 mg/kg feed in combination with α-tocopherol @150, 225 and 300 mg/kg feed. The resultant meat was subjected to antioxidant assay, lipid stability, quantification of antioxidants followed by fatty acid profile of broiler breast meat.

Results

The results explicated that feed treatments imparted momentous effect on gain in weight, and feed conversion efficiency however, intake of feed in birds affected non-momentously. The highest weight gain recorded in T9 as 2374.67 & 2388 g/bird followed by T8 & T6 2350 & 2353.33 and 2293.33 & 2307 g/bird, respectively whilst the lowest in T0 as 1992.67 & 1999 g/bird during the experimental year 2013 and 2014. The results regarding antioxidant potential revealed that among treatments, T9 exhibited highest values for total phenolic contents (TPC), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) & ferric reducing antioxidant power assay (FRAP) i.e. 158.70 ± 0.84 mg GAE/100 g, 82.40 ± 0.93 % and 682 ± 2.11 μmol/Fe^+2/g, respectively as compared to T0 104.27 ± 1.64 mg GAE/100 g, 54.71 ± 0.64 % and 542.67 ± 1.74 μmol/Fe⁺² /g of meat, correspondingly. The TBARS assay indicated that malondialdehydes production in meat increased during storage however, antioxidants deposition varied significantly among treatments. Fatty acid compositional analysis revealed that addition of quercetin with α-tocopherol in the bird’s diet decreased the fatty acid generation particularly saturated fatty acids.

Conclusion

Conclusively, dietary supplementation of quercetin along with α-tocopherol improves growth performance, antioxidant capacity, stability of lipids and fatty acid composition in breast meat of birds.

Effects of Citrus junos by-products fermented with multistrain probiotics on growth performance, immunity, caecal microbiology and meat oxidative stability in broilers

1. The present study was conducted to develop Citrus junos probiotics (CJP), using by-products of Citrus junos fermented with multispecies probiotic bacteria including Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Enterococcus faecium, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bacillus subtilis. The effects of dietary CJP on the growth performance, immune status, caecal microbiology and meat oxidative stability of broiler were investigated. 2. A total of 240 one-day-old Ross broiler chicks were used in a 35-d experiment in which the chicks were randomly allotted to one of the 4 dietary treatments (0, 5, 10 and 20 g CJP/kg diet) in a completely randomised design. 3. Dietary supplementation of 5 g/kg CJP significantly increased body weight, average daily gain and average daily feed intake of broiler during the overall experimental period. 4. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)M concentration was significantly increased by 10 and 20 g/kg CJP, whereas the IgG and IgA concentration remained unaffected. In addition, 20 g/kg CJP significantly inhibited proliferation of Escherichia coli without affecting the concentration of Lactobacillus or Bacillus spp. 5. A significant reduction in the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values of breast and thigh meat was observed in response to increasing concentration of dietary CJP. 6. Thus, the results suggest that CJP up to a concentration of 20 g/kg can be used in the diet of broilers to improve immunity and to reduce caecal E. coli and TBARS values of breast and thigh meat without any adverse effects on growth performance.

Individual and combined effects of genistein and hesperidin supplementation on meat quality in meat-type broiler chickens

BACKGROUND

There is growing interest in improving the production and meat quality of farm animals through dietary supplementation with phytochemical (e.g. flavonoids)-rich plants and/or their extracts. This study was conducted to analyse the supplemental effects of two purified flavonoids (genistein and hesperidin) individually and in combination on the oxidative status, sensory score and quality of breast meat in meat-type broiler chickens.

RESULTS

A significant increase (P < 0.05) in meat colour (L* score) and pH was observed for the group supplemented with 20 mg kg(-1) genistein and hesperidin. Water-holding capacity was also improved significantly (P < 0.01) for all genistein- and hesperidin-treated groups, while the sensory quality of breast meat remained unaffected. Lipid oxidation of breast meat was reduced significantly (P < 0.01) at 0 and 15 days of refrigeration in a dose-dependent manner for all supplemented groups. Meanwhile, some treated groups showed improved (P < 0.05) body weight, feed/gain ratio and hot carcass weight.

CONCLUSION

Genistein and hesperidin supplementation to broilers improved meat quality in a dose-dependent fashion, with pronounced effects of combined treatment. The results indicated that purified flavonoids such as genistein and hesperidin could potentially be used as feed additives in broiler production to promote meat quality.

Effect of increasing levels of bioflavonoids in broiler feed on plasma anti-oxidative potential, lipid metabolites, and fatty acid composition of meat

This study was conducted to investigate the supplemental effects of purified bioflavonoids (genistein and hesperidin), as potential alternatives to plant/herbs or synthetic antioxidants, individually and in combination for fatty acid profile, lipid metabolites, and antioxidant status of broilers. Three hundred sixty 1-d-old broilers were divided into 6 treatment groups: control (basal diet), G5 (5 mg of genistein per kg of feed), and H20 (20 mg hesperidin per kg of feed), whereas the other 3 groups were supplemented with a mixture of genistein and hesperidin (20% genistein + 80% hesperidin) having a dosage of 5 mg•kg(-1) (GH5), 10 mg•kg(-1) (GH10), and 20 mg•kg(-1) (GH20), respectively. Broilers were slaughtered at 42 d, and breast muscle, liver, and blood samples were collected. A dose-dependent increase (P < 0.05) was observed for plasma antioxidant parameters, including total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde production, and total superoxide dismutase activity. Cholesterol and triglyceride contents were found to decrease (P < 0.05) in serum and breast muscle. The proportion of total polyunsaturated fatty acids and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids to saturated fatty acids in breast muscles was significantly improved (P < 0.05) by increasing levels of dietary bioflavonoids. The current results implied that dietary bioflavonoids genistein and hesperidin could positively improve the fatty acid and lipid metabolite profile of broiler breast meat in a dose-dependent fashion. Thus, bioflavonoids could be a feasible alternative of antioxidant plants/herbs and synthetic feed additives for the production of healthier chicken meat.

Effects of dietary hesperidin supplementation on lamb performance and meat characteristics

An experiment was conducted to examine the effects of supplementing feed with hesperidin or α-tocopheryl acetate on lambs' growth performance, carcass and meat characteristics. Sixteen male lambs were randomly assigned to four groups. One of the groups served as control and was given a basal diet, whereas the other three groups were given the same diet further supplemented with hesperidin at 1500 mg/kg, or hesperidin at 3000 mg/kg, or α-tocopheryl acetate at 200 mg/kg. At the end of the experiment, lambs were fasted, weighed and slaughtered. After overnight chilling, samples of Longissimus thoracis muscle were taken and were used for meat quality evaluation. No significant differences were observed in final body weight, body weight gain and organ weights among the four groups. pH, color, water-holding capacity, shear force values and intramuscular fat concentration of Longissimus thoracis muscle were also not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. Measurement of lipid oxidation values showed that hesperidin supplementation positively influenced meat antioxidant properties during refrigerated storage.