Effect of botanical extracts on amino acid and fatty acid profile of broiler meat

Abstract

The objectives of current study were to evaluate the effect of botanical extracts as antioxidants on amino – and fatty acids profile of broiler meat. In total, 200 one-day-old broiler chicks were divided according to a completely randomized design into eight dietary treatments with five replicates of five chicks each. Dietary treatments were: A-positive control (PC) with antibiotics and synthetic antioxidants, B-negative control (NC), C-NC+Trigonellafoenum-graecum, D-NC+Nigella sativa seed, E-NC+Violaodorata, F-NC+Trachyspermumammi, G-PC+Trachy spermumammi+Trigonellafoenum-graecum+Violaodorata, and H-NC+ Trachyspermumammi, Trigonellafoenum-graecum and Viola odorata. Meat amino – and fatty acid contents were analyzed after slaughter at 35 days of age. Data were submitted to one-way analysis of variance and means were compared by Duncan’s Multiple Range test. The levels of histidine, isoleucine, leucine, lysine and threonine were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in the H, F, E, H and F groups respectively. Arginine, tryptophan, valine, methionine, and phenylalanine were significantly higher (p≤0.05) in the C, F, E, G and H groups. Total essential amino acid levels were highest (40.36%) in C group (p≤0.05). The meat of H broilers presented significantly higher (p≤0.05) unsaturated fatty acids (54.8%) and omega-3 contents (2.77%) and the lowest saturated fatty acid content (44.8%). Group F present the highest linoleic acid and omega-6 levels and group H the highest (p≤0.05) arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) contents. It was concluded that botanical extracts aid health-beneficial meat production and the simultaneous inclusion of Trachyspermumammi, Trigonellafoenum-graecum, and Viola odorata in broiler diets is a more suitable option than the other dietary regimes.