Effects of Dietary Thraustochytrid Schizochytrium sp. and Other Omega-3 Sources on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, and Meat Quality of Broilers

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Thraustochytrid schizochytrium is one of the promising microalgae for omega-3 production. We evaluated the possibility of schizochytrium as omega-3 source comparing with other omega-3 sources that have been used before. The main results were the increased levels of DHA in the thigh meat of broilers fed SP, while EPA and DHA were on the rise in the meat of broilers fed SO, and ALA was increased in the meat of broilers fed FO. The ω-6/ω-3 ratio of the thigh meat improved in all treatments, approaching the guideline levels without adverse effects on the productive performance, carcass traits, and thigh meat quality. Hence, our results suggest that salmon oil, flaxseed oil, and schizochytrium could be used as omega-3 fatty acids sources to improve the omega-3 level and ω-6/ω-3 balance in broiler thigh meat and to allow consumers to easily enhance their intake of these vital nutrients for health benefits. ABSTRACT: Background: Looking for alternative omega-3 sources in broiler nutrition, microalgae began to get attention. We suspected that schizochytrium might play a similar role as other omega-3 sources that have been used before. Methods: 20 g/kg schizochytrium powder (SP), salmon oil (SO), and flaxseed oil (FO) in each of the three treatment groups were supplemented in the basal diet (CON), and productive performance, carcass traits, and thigh meat quality of broilers were evaluated. Results: There was a significantly higher weight gain in the SP treatment compared to the other groups, but no difference was found in feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance values increased during storage in all the treatments but were significantly lower for SP than for SO and FO after 7 days of storage. Among the ω-3 fatty acids (FAs), α-linolenic acid increased the most in the FO treatment, eicosapentaenoic acid increased the most in the SO treatment, and docosahexaenoic acid increased the most in the SP treatment in thigh meat, reflecting the FA composition of the lipid source diets. Conclusions: We suggested that all the dietary ω-3 FA sources could improve the FA composition of chicken meat and our results indicated the possibility to supplement broiler diets with 2% level of SP, SO, and FO as ω-3 FA sources to produce meat with a good nutritional quality for consumer’s health benefits.