Does Pleurotus ostreatus influence health status and meat quality attributes of broiler chickens?

Abstract

An 8-week study was piloted to establish the effect of Pleurotus ostreatus (PO) extract (Oyster mushroom) on health status and quality attributes of meat. One hundred and eighty (180) day old Cobb chicks were allotted into three treatments and orally administered extract of Pleurotus ostreatus at 0 (control), 2000 and 4000 mg/L. Haematological indices, serum metabolites, quality attributes of meat and oxidative stability of meat were determined. Oral administration of PO had no effect on haematological indices and some serum metabolites except serum albumin and calcium. Thiobarbituric acid (TBARs) in blood was lowered in 4000 mg/L group at week 4 and 8 of growth. Crude protein and water holding capacity (WHC) increased as level of oral administration of PO increased with the highest values in 2000 mg/l and 4000 mg/L groups. Glutathione Peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in meat tissue was highest in the 4000 mg/L treatment while Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances was statistically lowest and similar in the control and 4000 mg/L groups. It is concluded that Pleurotus ostreatus extract can be orally administered up to 4000 mg/L as an antioxidant in birds in order to decrease lipid peroxidation in birds and improve meat quality and oxidative stability.

Benefits of Mushroom-Based Supplements on Growth Performance, Immunocompetence, and Meat Quality in Poultry

“…The oral administration of Pleurotus ostreatus at 4000 (mg/L) in water improved the meat quality of Cobb broilers via the improvement of oxidative stability of meat samples through the reduction in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARs) and increase in the glutathione peroxidase. The sequence of these processes positively stabilizes the meat tissue against lipid oxidation, thereby prolonging the quality of meat and its shelf life [ 124 ].…”

“…There is clinical proof of significant medicinal properties in species such as Agaricus bisporus , Agaricus blazei , Agaricus sylvaticus , Ganoderma lucidum , Lentinula edodes , Grifola frondosa , Hericium erinaceus , and Pleurotus ostreatus in livestock. The extract of Pleurotus ostreatus in broiler’s water improved growth performance, dressed weight, and reduced the number of pathogenic bacteria in the gut [ 12 , 13 ]. Altop et al [ 14 ] also observed improved feed efficiency with better growth performances and improved intestinal morphology in the broiler fed Agaricus bisporus stalk.…”