Administration of Dietary Microalgae Ameliorates Intestinal Parameters, Improves Body Weight, and Reduces Thawing Loss of Fillets in Broiler Chickens: A Pilot Study

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Microalgae synthesize a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, PUFAs, and pigments. In addition, microalgae are known for positively influencing growth and intestinal parameters in birds and thus have been contemplated as potential feed additives. Nevertheless, several species widely used in aquaculture have not received much attention in terrestrial animal nutrition. Therefore, in this investigation, we used biomass from Tysochrysis lutea, Tetraselmis chuii, and Porphyridium cruentum to evaluate its safety and usefulness for improving intestinal architecture, body weight, and selected meat quality parameters. Dietary administration of the different biomasses showed positive effects regarding intestinal architecture, which were associated with the observed body weight. Furthermore, the thawing weight loss of fillets decreased after supplementation with T. chuii. Hence, these outcomes suggest that dietary microalgae might be considered as a promising bio-friendly alternative for feed additive production. ABSTRACT: This pilot investigation aimed at studying the feasibility of using a low dose (0.2%) of dietary microalgae as a means of improving intestinal morphometry, body weight, and selected meat quality parameters in broilers. A total of 72 one-day-old ROSS 308 male chicks were randomly separated into four groups; three experimental pens in which the birds were fed with biomass from Tysochrysis lutea, Tetraselmis chuii, and Porphyridium cruentum over 30 days and a control group. T. chuii and P. cruentum had a positive effect with regard to body weight. In treated animals, duodenal and ileal sections showed characteristic tall and thin villi, with serrated surfaces and goblet cell differentiation. In both sections, values of the villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio were increased by microalgae ingestion. The thawing weight loss of fillets was reduced in T. chuii-fed animals. The positive effects exerted by T. chuii and P. cruentum on intestinal architecture were associated with the improved body weight. Arguably, these outcomes exhibit the potential of using these species to enhance growth performance in broiler chickens by promoting gut homeostasis and thus nutrient absorption.