Effect of zinc-enriched Camelina sativa supplementation in broiler diets on meat quality and sensory properties

Camelina sativa (L. Crantz) is an oilseed crop of the Brassicaceae family; it is a short-seasoned (85–100 days) annual crop that can be grown under different climatic and soil conditions, needing minimum water and nutrient requirements and being able to grow in low fertility or saline soils. Camelina cake, seeds and oil have been thoroughly used in poultry feeding due to the high quality of the fatty acids, rich in α-linolenic and linoleic acid. Different fertilization methods have been experienced over time in order to improve the plant productivity and the properties of the oilseeds. Fertilization with zinc (Zn) may exert positive effects on the nutritional properties of the plant. In broiler chickens, it has been reported that Zn plays important functions such as catalytic, structural, and regulatory, acting as a cofactor to several enzymes, thus improving growth performance, health, blood chemistry, tissue and faecal Zn concentration, immune responses, and intestinal histomorphology. Zinc is a potent antioxidant, thus it may positively affect meat quality and shelflife. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of dietary supplementation with camelina seeds obtained from conventional farming or fertilization with zinc on broiler meat quality and sensory properties. 45 one-day-old male R-7 broilers obtained from a commercial hatchery were used and fed a starter diet for two weeks.; afterwards, the chicks were weighed and randomly allotted to 35 m2 floor pens in an environmentally controlled coop. Three homogeneous groups of chicks (n.=15) were fed ad libitum the following diets for 7 weeks: a control feed (C), or a feed containing 10% of conventional (Cam) or Zn-enriched (Zn-Cam) seeds. The Zn-Cam diet showed a lower slaughter body and hot carcass weight(p<0.05). The C broilers showed the lowest carcass refrigeration loss (p<0.05). The Cam diet led to a significantly greater incidence of the breast and thigh as compared to the Zn-Cam group (p<0.05). The immune organ index was significantly lower following the Zn-Cam diet, thus showing a positive effect of Zn on the immune function (p<0.05). Furthermore, this diet led to an increased tenderness of meat and lower concentration of malondialdehyde (p<0.05). Meat from the Zn-Cam group showed a better succulence and juiciness, though the tenderness and overall acceptance were better in broilers fed the Cam diet. In conclusion, meat from broilers fed the Zn-Cam diet showed better quality traits.