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The Thai Journal of Veterinary Medicine

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the dose-dependent effects of dietary supplementation with Schizochytrium limacinum, a microalga rich in omega-3 fatty acids and bioactive compounds, on the fatty acid composition and antioxidant status of broiler breast meat, as well as its potential effects on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. In a 42-day feeding trial, 192 day-old Ross-308 broiler chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatment groups (48 chicks per group): a control group fed the basal diet without S. limacinum supplementation (0 g/kg), and three treatment groups fed the basal diet supplemented with 0.25, 0.5, and 1 g/kg S. limacinum, respectively. The chicks were fed a starter diet (24% CP, 3000 kcal ME/kg) from days 0 to 21 and a finisher diet (20% CP, 3200 kcal ME/kg) from days 22 to 42. At the end of the study, although notable variations in both body weight and body weight gain were found in birds fed diets containing 1 g/kg of microalgae during the 1st and 2nd weeks, no differences were detected in the subsequent weeks. Liver weight increased in birds given 1 g/kg of microalgae in their diet. Water-holding capacity declined with increasing microalgae levels. Increasing microalgae doses reduced Paraoxonase and arylesterase, whereas no differences were observed in malondialdehyde and glutathione levels. Microalgae supplementation reduced the proportion of saturated fatty acids. In contrast, the proportion of unsaturated fatty acids increased. A notable rise in omega-3 fatty acid levels was observed in birds fed diets containing 0.25 g/kg of microalgae, and the omega-3/omega-6 ratio reached optimal levels.

DOI

10.56808/2985-1130.3980

First Page

1

Last Page

12

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