Dietary omega-3 and antioxidants improve long-chain omega-3 and lipid oxidation of broiler meat

Abstract

Dietary 2 g fish oil/100 g elevated (P ≤ 0.001) long-chain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids in broiler meat mainly EPA and DHA. At the same time, dietary fish oil resulted in a significant decrease (P ≤ 0.001) in α-linolenic acid in broiler meat (6%). However, total omega-3 fatty acids in meat were higher (P ≤ 0.001) with dietary fish oil than with dietary linseed oil. The ratio of n-6:n-3 PUFA was decreased (P ≤ 0.001) in the meat of broilers fed diets containing 2 g fish oil/100 g compared with broilers fed diets containing 2 g linseed oil/100 g. The two sources of antioxidant decreased (P ≤ 0.05) TBA value and increased (P ≤ 0.05) the DPPH radical scavenging activity in broiler meat compared to the diet without antioxidant. No significant differences observed between chicks fed 2 g SCT/kg or 200 mg Vit. E/kg on TBA and DPPH radical scavenging activity.