Effect of different dietary copper forms and levels on carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of broilers chickens

Abstract EN

This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of dietary copper supplementation at a levels of 75, 100 and 125 ppm, from various forms, inorganic copper sulfate, (CuSo4) and copper nanoparticles (Cu-NP) supplementation on the live body weight, carcass characteristic and meat quality traits of broiler chickens.

A total of 420 one-day-old Ros 308 chicks were randomly assigned to seven treatments.

(n= 60 birds per each).

The 1^st group was fed a basal diet without any supplementation and considered as control group, the 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th groups were fed basal diet supplemented with 75, 100 and 125 ppm / kg diet of CuSo4, the 5^th, 6^th and 7^th  groups were fed basal diet supplemented with Cu-NPs at a level 75, 100 and 125 ppm / kg diet.

Results showed that birds fed basal diet supplemented with inorganic or Cu-NPs had significantly better live body weight, carcass characteristics and meat quality while fat percentage was reduced compared with control group.

However, the groups supplemented with Cu-NP showed significant improvement on carcass and meat quality traits compared with the other groups.

Supplementation of dietary Cu from different forms significantly decreased meat content fat, PH, TVN and TBA.

On the other hand, supplementation of dietary Cu from different forms significantly increased the levels meat sensory evaluation (color and Elasticity) compared with the control group.

Dietary cu supplementation led to the total monounsaturated fatty acid (TMUFA) and total polyunsaturated fatty acid (TPUFA) content of muscles increased and total saturated fatty acids decreased compared with the control group.

In conclusion, Cu supplementation with 125 ppm/ kg diet of Cu-NPs improved the live body weight, dressing percentage, and meat chemical examination of broiler chickens.

Broilers fed Cu-NP had better growth and meat chemical examination than those fed CuSo4.