Redressing the balance: including DHA-rich Aurantiochytrium limacinum in broiler diets increases tissue omega-3 fatty acid content and lowers the n-6:n-3 ratio. Issue 4 (4th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Keegan, J. D.; Currie, D.; Knox, A.; Moran, C. A.
• Is Part Of: British poultry science. Volume 60:Issue 4(2019)
• Page Start: 414
• Page End: 422
• Publication Date: 2019-07-04
• Subjects: Algae -- broilers -- docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) -- fatty acids -- omega-3; Poultry -- Periodicals; Poultry industry -- Periodicals; 636.500941
• DOI: 10.1080/00071668.2019.1605153
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0007-1668

Abstract

ABSTRACT: 1. The consumption of sufficient quantities of long chain omega-3 fatty acids (n-3 LCPUFA) from meat and other animal products can lead to a variety of health benefits in humans. The fatty acid content of poultry meat can be increased by feeding birds ingredients that are rich in n-3 LCFUFA 2. The effect of feeding a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) rich Aurantiochytrium limacinum biomass (AURA) on the fatty acid content of breast and thigh tissues was investigated in a feeding trial with 2880 male Ross 308 broilers. The broiler diets were supplemented with either 0, 0.25, 0.5 or 1% AURA from day 21 to 42 of age. 3. Supplementation significantly increased the DHA content of both breast and thigh meat at an inclusion rate of 1% in the diet, leading to a total of 42 and 46 mg DHA/100 g of fresh breast or thigh tissue respectively. Significant increases in the tissue eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) concentration were seen alongside a reduced omega-6/omega-3 ratio, improving the nutritional value of the meat for consumers and identifying supplementation of broiler diets with A. limacinum as an effective and sustainable method to increase n-3 LCPUFA consumption in the human population.