RESUMO
Background: Inclusion of antioxidant sources in feed or water reduces the detrimental effects of free radicals and increases the antioxidative potential and stability of lipids in heat stressed broiler chicken
Objectives: This study was conducted to examine the effect of Satureja khuzistanica essential oils [SkEO] on early postmortem and ultimate pH as well as antioxidative potential of breast muscle in broiler chicken
Methods: A total number of 720,1-d-old Arian broiler chicks were used in a 42-d trial to examine the effects of six experimental treatments consisting inclusion of 0 [control-], 200, 300, 400, 500 mg/L SkEO and 500 mg/L Polysorbate-80 [control+] in drinking water in six replicates of 20 birds each in a completely randomized blocks design. Catalase enzyme activity [by kinetic method] and glutathione peroxidase as well as superoxide dismutase activities [via Randox[registered sign] kits] were measured spectrophotometerically. Lipid peroxidation also was measured in breast muscle by a chemical method with thiobarbituric acid
Results: The breast percentage and early as well as ultimate pH of breast muscle was not differ for the birds received SkEO-treated water compared to the control birds [p>0.05]. Addition of SkEO in drinking water at doses greater than 200 mg/L significantly decreased the thiobarbituric acid reactive substances values in breast muscle of the birds in comparison with the control birds [p<0.05]. Catalase activity was significantly higher in breast muscle of the SkEO-treated groups than the control groups [p<0.05]. Activity of glutathione peroxidase was significantly greater in the birds given 400 and 500 mg/L SkEO. Addition of SkEO into water up to 400 mg/L increased superoxide dismutase activity in breast muscle of the treated birds compared to the control birds
Conclusions: It was concluded that supplementation of drinking water with SkEO elevates the antioxidative potential and increases the lipid stability of breast muscle in heat stressed male broiler chicken