Effect of cold-press carrot seed oil on the performance, carcass characteristics, and shelf life of broiler chickens

Present study aims to assess the effects of cold-press carrot seed oil (CSO) on performance, gut microflora, some serum biochemical parameters, meat color and meat shelf life of broiler chickens by experimenting with young broiler chicks. Accordingly, hundred fifty day-old Ross PM 308 broiler chicks were randomly given three different dietary treatments supplemented with 0 (control), 100mL/kg or 200 mL/kg (CSO). Five replicates of 10 birds each. It was observed that the supplementation of CSO led to an increase in weight gain, hot carcass and carcass yield on day 42. Addition of CSO supplement in the basal diet had no effect on serumbiochemical parameters. The number of lactic acid bacteria was higher in the group of chicks fed on the diet supplemented with 200 ml/kg CSO than in the other groups. Compared to the control group, dietary CSO supplement reduced the MDA values in leg muscles. L* (lightness) and b* (yellowness) values of the breast muscles increased in the chicks fed with 200 ml/kg CSO. Dietary 100 ml/kg CSO supplementation decreased a* (redness) values of the breast and leg muscles.In conclusion, supplementation of CSO had resulted in positive changes on weight gain,carcas yield, lactic acid bacteria count and breast tissue shelf life. As a result, this study suggests that cold-press carrot seed oil can be used as a dietary source of natural antioxidant for broilers.