The effect of a phytogenic additive on nutritional composition of turkey meat

Abstract

The aim of the study was to analyze the effect of a blend of phytogenic additive on nutritional and mineral composition of breast, thigh muscles and liver in fattening turkeys. A total 300 female turkeys were monitored in the trial. 1-day old broad-breasted white turkeys hybrid XL were randomly divided into two groups (150 pcs per each). Turkeys in control group were fed by standard diet for fattening and in experimental group from the 1st to the 12th week by complete feed mixture with supplementation of a blend of essential oils from origanum, anise and citrus fruits as well as a prebiotic rich fructooligosaccharides in dosage 1 kg per 1000 kg of feed mixture. Turkeys were housed in group on deep litter. Experiment lasted 18 weeks. Samples of breast and thigh muscles, and liver for nutritional analysis were collected during turkey’s dissection (10 samples per each group). After the determination of nutrients, there were found significant (P < 0.05) differences between control and experimental samples of breast muscles in content of crude protein and fat. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) differences in all analyzed nutrients in thigh muscles were observed. The phytoadditive supplementation markedly (P < 0.05) increased content of crude protein in breast (from 91.13 to 93.7% of DM) and thigh muscles (from 79.78 to 85.73% of DM) and ash in thigh muscle (from 4.25 to 4.61% of DM). Tendency of higher (P > 0.05) content of DM and fat was recorded in liver. After analysis the macro and microelements, significant (P < 0.05) differences in all minerals except potassium and manganese were found. Compare to the control group, in the experimental group were detected significantly (P < 0.05) higher amounts of zinc in breast, magnesium and copper in thigh muscle samples. In the case of liver, there was found higher (P > 0.05) concentrate only in content of manganese in experimental group. Occurrence of manganese was not observed in both muscles.