Lysolecithin, but not lecithin, improves nutrient digestibility and growth rates in young broilers

Abstract

27 Young broilers have an underdeveloped ability for lipid digestion. The potential of lecithin and 28 lysolecithin to improve lipid digestion and growth performance was investigated in 3 29 experiments: an in vitro model that mimics the intestinal conditions of the chick, a digestibility 30 trial with chicks (5 to 7 days of age), and a performance trial until 21 days of age. In Experiment 31 1, palm oil (PO), palm oil with lecithin (PO+L), and palm oil with lysolecithin (PO+LY) were 32 subjected to in vitro hydrolysis and applied to Caco-2 monolayers to assess lipid absorption. 33 The in vitro hydrolysis rate of triglycerides was higher in PO+LY (k= 11.76 × 10-3 min-1) than 34 in either PO (k= 9.73 × 10 3 min 1) or PO+L (k= 8.41 × 10 3 min 1), and the absorption of 35 monoglycerides and free fatty acids was highest (P<0.01) for PO+LY. In Experiment 2, 90 36 broilers were assigned to three dietary treatments: a basal diet with 4% palm oil, and the basal 37 diet supplemented with either 250 ppm lecithin or lysolecithin. ATTD of crude fat was higher 38 in broilers supplemented with lysolecithin, but was lower in broilers supplemented with 39 lecithin. DM digestibility and AMEn in birds supplemented with lysolecithin were significantly 40 higher (3.03% and 0.47 MJ/kg, respectively). In Experiment 3, 480 broilers were randomly 41 allocated to four dietary treatments: basal diet with soybean oil (2%), basal diet with lecithin 42 (2%), soybean oil diet with 250 ppm lysolecithin, or lecithin oil diet with 250 ppm lysolecithin. 43 Lecithin diets significantly reduced weight at day 10 and 21 compared with soybean oil. 44 However, the addition of lysolecithin to lecithin-containing diets significantly improved bird 45 performance. The results of these studies show that, in contrast to lecithin, lysolecithin is able 46 to significantly improve the digestibility and energy values of feed in young broilers.

Dietary Fiber and Lysolecithin Supplementation in Growing Ducks: Effect on Performance, Immune Response, Intestinal Morphology and Lipid Metabolism-Regulating Genes

“…However, in the subsequent periods, BW was similar to other treatments. Unlike the obtained results, [11,12] documented that the addition of lysolecithin to broiler diets improved their growth performance and feed efficiency. Overall, the addition of lysolecithin with the gradual increased fiber level included in this study didn't support growth performance traits of growing ducks, as this could be attributed to the increased level of supplemental vegetable oil included in diets, source of oil used, and the dose of lysolecithin used.…”

“…Young birds are inefficient in digestion and absorption of high levels of dietary lipids due to the limited secretion of bile salts and lipase before development of the gastro intestinal tract [10,11]. Therefore, supplementation of emulsifying agents or biosurfactants as lecithin and its derivative, lysolecithins could effectively help in improving fat utilization [12].…”

Effects of a Combination of Lysolecithin, Synthetic Emulsifier, and Monoglycerides on Growth Performance, Intestinal Morphology, and Selected Carcass Traits in Broilers Fed Low-Energy Diets

“…The resulting lysophospholipids are smaller and more hydrophilic molecules, with a lower critical micelle concentration than phospholipids [ 6 ]. This improves their emulsifying properties in oil-in-water environments, thus improving the process of digestion of fats and oils [ 7 ]. In broiler production, the addition of lysolecithin has been shown to improve the availability of energy [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]—driven by improvements in the hydrolysis and absorption of fatty acids [ 7 , 11 ] from both added fats and cereal grains—and other nutrients including protein and amino acids [ 11 , 12 ].…”

“…This improves their emulsifying properties in oil-in-water environments, thus improving the process of digestion of fats and oils [ 7 ]. In broiler production, the addition of lysolecithin has been shown to improve the availability of energy [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]—driven by improvements in the hydrolysis and absorption of fatty acids [ 7 , 11 ] from both added fats and cereal grains—and other nutrients including protein and amino acids [ 11 , 12 ]. The ability of pure lysolecithin to improve energy digestion and absorption can be further improved by the addition of synthetic emulsifiers and monoglycerides [ 3 ].…”

“…At the same time, dietary lysolecithin interacts with birds’ physiology, including the incorporation of lysophospholipids into the epithelial cell walls [ 13 , 14 ] and epigenetic interactions [ 15 ], leading to improved gut function and structure [ 16 ]. This leads to improved weight gain and feed efficiency [ 4 , 7 , 8 , 10 , 17 , 18 ], as well as reductions in fat deposition and related improvements in carcass yield [ 16 ].…”