Effects of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier, and Monoglycerides on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Selected Carcass Traits in Broilers Fed Low-Energy Diets

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Lysolecithin is produced from the enzymatic conversion of lecithin, resulting in a smaller molecule better able to improve the process of digestion of fats and oils than its progenitor. In broiler production, lysolecithin can improve performance when added to nutritionally adequate diets, but also when diets are reformulated to provide lower levels of energy and amino acids. Low-energy diets may provide more ‘space’ for growth improvements, but there is a scarcity of data on the effect of lysolecithin when added to low-energy diets containing only intact fat from raw feed ingredients. Moreover, the ability of pure lysolecithin to improve energy digestion and absorption can be further improved by the addition of synthetic emulsifiers and monoglycerides. The present study aims to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides on growth performance, intestinal morphology, carcass traits, and meat characteristics in broilers fed commercially relevant low-energy diets without added oil. The results revealed that this combination could effectively improve growth performance, carcass characteristics, and intestinal morphology of broiler chickens. ABSTRACT: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of supplementing a combination of lysolecithin, synthetic emulsifier, and monoglycerides (LEX) on growth performance, intestinal morphology, and selected carcass traits in broilers fed low-energy diets without added oil. Three hundred one-day-old Arbor Acres (AA) broilers (40.3 ± 3.3 g) were assigned to two dietary treatments with six replicates of 25 birds each and were fed a control low-energy diet without added oil supplemented with 0 and 250 g/t of LEX for 30 days. Growth performance was measured and recorded throughout the study. At slaughter, 60 birds per treatment were used to assess the effect of LEX on the carcass traits. Final average body weight and feed conversion ratio were improved (p < 0.05) in LEX treated birds compared to control. LEX supplementation was linked to higher (p < 0.05) carcass weight and yield and to lower (p < 0.05) abdominal fat and liver weight. Moisture content was higher (p < 0.05) in ground deboned broilers from LEX treatment. Villus height was increased (p < 0.05), and crypt depth reduced (p < 0.05) in the jejunum of birds treated with LEX. This study demonstrates that supplementation of LEX to a low-energy diet without added oil improved performance, carcass weight and yield, reduced abdominal fat deposition, and improved intestinal morphology in broiler chickens.