Effect of squash seed meal (Cucurbita moschata) on broiler performance, sensory meat quality, and blood lipid profile

Abstract

In this experiment, 240 Cobb-500® broilers reared from1 to 49 days, and distributed according to a completely experimental randomized design with four treatments of four replicates each in order to evaluate the effect of the dietary inclusion of 0, 33, 66 or 100 g/kg of squash seed meal (SSM) (Cucurbita moschata) on the performance, carcass yield, serum lipid profile and sensory meat quality of broilers. Significant differences (p<0.05) were detected in performance, carcass weight, weight and breast yield, and leg weight. The best results were obtained with 33 and 66 g/kg as compared to the control diet and 100 g SSM /kg. Abdominal fat decreased with the inclusion of 66 and 100 g SSM / kg, but the sensory quality of breast and thighs was not affected by the inclusion of SSM. The serum levels of total cholesterol, very low density (VLDL) and low density (LDL) lipoproteins, triglycerides, glucose and atherogenic index decreased with the inclusion of 100 g/kg of SSM, except for high density lipoproteins (HDL), which increased. The inclusion of 0, 33, 66 and 100 g/kg of SSM in broiler diets, partially replacing soybean meal and vegetable oil, improved live performance and edible portions yield. In addition, abdominal fat and serum levels of harmful lipids were reduced, whereas serum levels of beneficial lipids increased. There was no effect on meat sensory quality

Growth Performance, Organ Weights and Some Blood Parameters of Replacement Laying Pullets Fed with Increasing Levels of Wheat Bran

“…According to Connor et al (1969), lipid digestion and transport to the liver in poultry greatly differs from mammals, especially cholesterol, which is stored in the liver of newly-hatched chicks, whereas it is stored in brain of newly-born mammals. Similar results were reported by Cherry & Jones (1982), Aguilar et al (2011), andMartínez et al (2013b), when including high concentrations of polyunsaturated fat in the diets of the chickens.…”

“…As previously explained, the unsaturated lipids present in soybean oil may reduce the rate of intestinal transit (Aguilar et al, 2011), and therefore, may have counteracted the effect of fiber in the ceca. Moreover, because the crude fat intake was not excessive in the present experiment, liver relative weight and function were not affected (Okazaki et al, 2006).…”

“…According to Savón et al (2007), dietary fiber reduces cholesterol absorption by binding with bile salts in the gastrointestinal tract, reducing intestinal transit time and increasing sterol excretion in the feces. Likewise, Savón et al (2007), and Aguilar et al (2011) found a lower blood levels of this lipid in broilers fed with high-fiber diets. This indicates that fiber levels higher than those used in the present experiment (38.30 to 45.40 g/kg) are needed to reduce serum cholesterol.…”

“…Sulfur amino acids function as methyl group donors in biochemical processes, promoting muscle protein synthesis, and are involved in detoxification and immune response of chickens (NRC, 1994). In this regard, Vieira et al (2004) and Aguilar et al (2011) reported that higher sulfur amino acid intake increased the growth performance and yield of edible portions, and decreased the abdominal fat deposition in broilers.…”

“…According to Aguilar et al (2011), the addition of unsaturated lipids in the diet reduces digesta transit rate, thereby increasing the digestibility of other dietary components. Furthermore, Rosebrough et al (1999) and Latshaw (2008) reported that lipids can improve feed palatability by reducing dust formation and masking undesirable flavors, thereby increasing feed intake and body weight.…”