Evaluation of the Nutritional Value of Glycerol in Broiler Chickens

Abstract

Objective: Evaluate the apparent metabolizable energy content corrected to zero nitrogen balance (AMEn) of glycerol (GLI) and the productive performance, carcass yield and stability and antioxidant status of meat from broilers fed with increasing levels of GLI.

Design/methodology/approach: Energy balance trials were performed on broilers of 10-20 and 28-38 days of age to obtain AMEn using levels of 0, 10, 20 and 30% GLI in feed and a productive performance trial using levels of 0, 2.5 and 5% GLI in diets. The data obtained were subjected to analysis of variance and simple linear regression.

Results: In broilers of 10-20 and 28-38 days, the AMEn values ​​of 3123 and 3242 kcal/kg of GLI were obtained. Final weight and weight gain increased linearly (p≤0.05) as the inclusion of GLI in the diets of floor-raised chickens increased. The yield of the carcass and its components, water losses, lipid oxidation and antioxidant status were similar among treatments.

Limitations on study/implications: Only one GLI sample was evaluated and the content and composition of free fatty acids was not available.

Findings/conclusions: The EMAn value of GLI was 3123 and 3242 kcal/kg in starter and growing broilers, and GLI can be considered an alternative energy ingredient that can be included up to 5% in broiler chickens feeds.

Keywords: Broiler chickens, glycerol, energy value, productivity, antioxidant status.