Whole-Life or Fattening Period Only Broiler Feeding Strategies Achieve Similar Levels of Omega-3 Fatty Acid Enrichment Using the DHA-Rich Protist, Aurantiochytrium limacinum

SIMPLE SUMMARY: In many parts of the world, the human population does not consume sufficient quantities of omega-3 fatty acids. Humans can potentially reduce the risk or severity of a variety of illnesses by simply increasing their dietary intake of omega-3 fatty acids, with eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) being particularly beneficial. Fish are a rich source of these important fatty acids, but many individuals do not consume fish and so the enrichment of more commonly consumed foods has been explored as a method to increase the consumption of omega-3 fatty acids. The fatty acid content of chicken meat reflects the fatty acid composition of their diet and so poultry meat can be easily enriched by introducing omega-3 rich ingredients into poultry diets. In this study we fed broilers diets supplemented with a DHA-rich protist, Aurantiochytrium limacinum for their whole life (42 days) or for the final 21-day fattening period to investigate which strategy represented a more efficient use of the DHA-rich ingredient. As similar levels of enrichment were found from both feeding durations tested, the study indicates that feeding for the 21-day fattening period is the more efficientperiod of dietary inclusion for Aurantiochytrium limacinum. ABSTRACT: The fatty acid composition of broiler chicken tissues can be increased by adding omega-3 rich ingredients to their diets. The purpose of this study was to compare the levels of tissue enrichment observed following the supplementation of broilers with the docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich protist, Aurantiochytrium limacinum (AURA) for their whole life (42 days) or for the final 21-day fattening period. Day-old chicks (n = 350) were distributed among 35 pens (10 birds per pen) with each pen randomly assigned to one of five treatments: Control; 0.5% AURA from day 0–42; 1% AURA from day 0–42; 0.5% AURA from day 21–42; 1% AURA from day 21–42. Production parameters were recorded over the course of the study and the fatty acid profile of the breast, thigh, liver, kidney and skin with adhering fat was quantified at the end of the feeding period. The level of supplementation had a significant impact on the degree of omega-3 tissue enrichment, however, no differences were observed when the same dose was provided for 21 or 42 days. These results indicate that supplementation with AURA for a period of 21 days does not negatively affect broiler productivity and is the most efficient strategy to increase the nutritional value of broiler products.