Effect of emulsifier addition on metabolizable energy reduction in broiler diets

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of including soy lecithin emulsifier (SL) in broiler diets with reduced metabolizable energy levels and to correlate it with nutrient metabolizability coefficients, as well as to determine apparent metabolizable energy (AME). Two metabolic trials were conducted in a completely randomized design with a 3x2 factorial arrangement (diet with three levels of metabolizable energy, with or without the inclusion of emulsifier), totaling six treatments. In the starter phase, chicks received diets with 2,950, 3,050, and 3,150 kcal/kg of metabolizable energy, with six replications of 10 birds each, totaling 360 birds. In the grower phase, the energy levels of 3,100, 3,150, and 3,200 kcal/kg of feed were tested in 210 birds were used in seven replications of five chicks each. An interaction effect was observed in the starter phase, with the nitrogen metabolizability coefficient increasing when the emulsifier was added to diets with reduced energy. Additionally, emulsifier inclusion increased nitrogen-corrected AME (AMEn). An interaction effect was also present in the grower phase, with AME and AMEn increasing when the emulsifier was added to diets with lower energy levels. In summary, emulsifier inclusion in broiler diets can reduce metabolizable energy while improving AMEn in both the starter and grower phases, as well as AME in growing broilers.