engleski

Broiler chicken pigmentation is influenced by maize hybrid as the only source of carotenoids

Increased concern about use of synthetic additives in food chain led to search for suitable natural sources in broiler pigmentation. These natural sources could considerably increase production costs while carotenoids from maize, a major component in diet, remain neglected. The aim of this research was to explore commercial maize hybrids suitable for increased broiler pigmentation. In total, 325 1-day-old male Ross 308 broiler chicks were allocated in 25 pens, and pens were in complete randomized design assigned to one of five dietary treatments (5 treatments×5 cages) differed only in maize hybrid. Four experimental (Bc 572, Kekec, Mejaš and Riđan) and one control (unknown hybrid) diets were not supplemented with pigments. On day 32 of the trial, broilers were humanely euthanized, and colour according to the CIE L*a*b* was determined in chilled breast meat and skin, shank skin and abdominal fat using a Minolta CR-410 Chroma meter. Maize hybrids differed in carotenoid profile which resulted in variable daily intake (P<0.05) of lutein [329 (Bc 572) – 639 µg (Riđan)], zeaxanthin [397 (Riđan) – 885 µg (Bc 572)], β- cryptoxanthin [70 (control) – 148 (Bc 572)] and β-carotene [100 (Kekec) – 154 (Bc 572)]. Lightness scores were similar among treatments (59.03, 65.98, 69.57 and 73.21 for meat, skin, fat and shank, respectively). Redness was significantly affected by maize hybrid only in shank skin ; control had the lowest (4.70) while Bc 572 had the highest value (7.99) in accordance with increasing zeaxanthin and β- cryptoxanthin intake (r=0.54 and 0.65, respectively, P<0.01). Treatments showed the highest impact on broiler pigmentation in yellowness score (P<0.05) with obtained ranges: 14.50-17.14 for meat, 18.28-22.69 for skin, 19.19-21.51 for fat, and 51.77-58.57 for shank. Control had lowest values in all ranges while Riđan and Bc 572 had the highest values in meat and fat. Among commercial hybrids, there are ones with high carotenoid content providing cost-effective pigmentation in broiler chickens.

Broiler pigmentation ; Carotenoids ; Maize hybrid

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