Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Glycerol in Broiler Chickens

Resumen

Objective: To evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy corrected for zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) of glycerol (GLY), as well as the productive performance, carcass yield, and meat stability and antioxidant status in broilers fed increasing levels of GLY.
Design/methodology/approach: Energy balance trials were conducted on broilers aged 10–20 and 28–38 days to determine AMEn using diets containing 0, 10, 20, and 30% GLY. A separate performance trial was carried out using diets with 0, 2.5, and 5% GLY. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and simple linear regression.

Results: AMEn values of 3,123 and 3,242 kcal/kg of GLY were obtained in broilers aged 10–20 and 28–38 days, respectively. Final body weight and weight gain increased linearly (p ≤ 0.05) with higher inclusion levels of GLY in the diets of floor-raised chickens. Carcass yield and its components, water loss, lipid oxidation, and antioxidant status were similar among treatments.
Limitations of the study/implications: Only one GLY sample was evaluated, and information on its free fatty acid content and composition was not available.
Findings/conclusions: The AMEn values of GLY were 3,123 and 3,242 kcal/kg for starter and grower broilers, respectively. GLY can be considered an alternative energy ingredient and may be included at levels up to 5% in broiler chicken diets.