The study examined the effects of supplementing vitamin E on the fatty acid profile and breast meat quality of broilers fed diets containing an oil blend and L-Arginine. Two hundred sixteen Cobb 500 one-day-old broilers were randomly allocated to six treatments, namely T1: 6% palm oil (control); T2: blend of 4% palm oil and 2% sunflower oil + 0.25% L-Arginine (positive control); T3: T2 with 20 mg/kg vitamin E added; T4: T2 with 50 mg/kg vitamin E added; T5: T2 with 100 mg/kg vitamin E added; and T6: T2 supplemented with 150 mg/kg vitamin E. Relative to T1, the other diets increased growth rate and improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) similarly. Linoleic, arachidonic, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were greater and palmitic and saturated fatty acids were lower in the meat of birds fed T2-T6 relative to T1. Supplementation of vitamin E reduced drip loss (DL) and increased redness, tenderness, free thiol content, and the oxidative stability of meat during storage at 4 °C. Regardless of diet, free thiol, redness and Warner-Bratzler shear force (WBSF) value decreased significantly, whereas the carbonyl content, thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), and DL of breast meat increased over the ageing period. In conclusion, relative to T1, the other diets were effective in improving growth performance and meat quality during post-mortem storage.

ABSTRACT A feed production trial was conducted to study the effect of synthetic emulsifier and natural biosurfactant the process and quality of pelletized broiler feed. A corn-soy based broiler diet was formulated with fixed ratio 2:1 of oil-to-water with two types of emulsifiers, namely glyceryl polyethylene glycol ricinoleate synthetic emulsifier and lysophosphatidylcholine natural biosurfactant. T1: Basal diet with no water and no emulsifier; T2: Basal diet with water and no emulsifier; T3: Basal diet with water and synthetic emulsifier glyceryl polyethylene glycol ricinoleate; T4: Basal diet with water and a natural biosurfactant lysophosphatidylcholine as comparative treatment. The treatment diets were manufactured by a commercial feed mill. The electricity cost and meal temperature were measured during the process of milling. Composite samples were collected from different processed points, tested for physical properties, chemical stability and biostability of pelletized feed. Pellet quality of emulsifier supplemented diets was significantly (p<0.05) improved in crumble and pellet intact form. Correlation between emulsifier and pelletize processed cost was not observed in this present study. No deteriorate effect was observed in hydrolytic rancidity (AV), oxidation rancidity (PV), mold count, moisture content and water activity. However, percentage of starch gelatinization on pelletized feed was significantly (p< 0.0001) improved in both types of emulsifier treated diets. These results demonstrated that the addition of emulsifier to broiler diet improved pellet quality to some extent although significant difference between synthetic emulsifier and natural biosurfactant was not observed. Abbreviations: AV, acid value; PV, peroxide value; amp, ampere; vol, voltage; T/h, tonne per hour; kW, kilowatt; Aw, water activity; PDI, pellet durability index

The study investigated the effects of varying dietary calcium (Ca) levels and sources of oil on performance of broiler chickens. A total of 378 one-day-old birds were fed 6% palm oil (PO), soybean oil (SO) or linseed oil (LO) in combination with three levels of Ca, 1%, 1.25% and 1.5%, for six weeks in a 3 x 3 factorial experiment. Birds fed diet supplemented with SO and PO had higher average daily gains, more abdominal fat and greater villi height compared with those fed LO. However, feed efficiency, apparent digestibility of organic matter, ether extract, crude protein and ash were similar across treatments. Regardless of oil source, the chickens fed diets containing 1.5% Ca had a lower bodyweight and apparent digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, ether extract and phosphorus (P) than those fed 1% and 1.25% Ca. In contrast, the birds fed 1.25% Ca had higher ash, Ca and P digestibility than did the 1% Ca birds. Interaction between source of oil and Ca level on mineral digestibility was significant. It can be concluded that palm oil could be used as an alternative to soybean and linseed oils to improve growth performance in broiler chickens. Moreover, increasing the level of Ca to 1.25% can improve broiler performance and apparent nutrient digestibility, regardless of the type of oil used in the current study.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of three feeds containing 6% oils: palm oil (PO), soybean oil (SO) and linseed oil (LO); and three calcium levels (NRC recommendation, 1.25% and 1.50%) on the fatty acid profile, lipid oxidation and cholesterol concentrations of broiler breast meat in a 3 χ 3 factorial experiment. A total of 378 one-day-old chicks were randomly assigned to the diets and fed for six weeks. Birds fed diet supplemented with LO, SO and PO had higher proportions of α-linolenic, linoleic and oleic acids, respectively. The LO diet increased the total n-3 fatty acids and decreased the n-6 : n-3 compared with the PO and SO diets. Birds fed the PO diet had higher oxidative stability and cholesterol compared with those fed the SO and LO diets. However, the level of cholesterol in all treatments was within the normal range. The level of calcium and interaction between source of oil and calcium level did not influence lipid oxidation, fatty acid profile and cholesterol level of broiler breast muscle. It can be concluded that dietary LO and SO enhanced n-3 and n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively, while dietary PO enhanced the oleic acid and oxidative stability of broiler breast muscle. Thus, this study showed that PO can be used as an alternative oil source in broiler diets with a positive effect on the oxidative stability of chicken meat refrigerated at seven days when compared with vegetable oils that are rich in linoleic and α-linolenic acid.