Physico-biochemical and microbial characteristics of broiler chicken meat fed diet incorporated with Kappaphycus alvarezii

This study evaluated the physico-biochemical and microbial characteristics of broiler chicken meat after dietary supplementation of Kappaphycus alvarezii (AF-KWP). Day-old chicks (280) were randomly distributed into 35 groups with 8 chicks in each group (7 dietary treatments × 5 replicates). Seven experimental diets were formulated by adding 0 (control, T₁), 0.25 AF-KWP (T₂), 0.50 AF-KWP (T₃), 0.75 AF-KWP (T₄), 1.00 AF-KWP (T₅), 1.25 AF-KWP (T₆) and 1.50 AF-KWP (T₇), respectively. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded in pH and drip loss (%) among the control and dietary-treated groups. Water holding capacity (WHC), cholesterol, fat, and extract release volume (ERV) found significantly (P < 0.05) improved in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP–supplemented groups (T₇ and T₆) compared with control (T₁), T₂ (0.25% AF-KWP) and T₃ (0.50% AF-KWP) groups. Antioxidant parameters, i.e., 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS+) and 2,2-diphynyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), of meat significantly increased (P < 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP dietary–supplemented groups (T₇ or T₆) compared with control and other dietary-treated groups (T₂, T₃, and T₄). No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in free fatty acid and peroxide values among the control and dietary AF-KWP–supplemented groups, whereas 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) activity of meat improved (P < 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP–supplemented groups (T₇ or T₆). Microbial loads in terms of standard plate count (SPC), coliforms, and Staphylococcus were significantly reduced (P < 0.05) in 1.50 or 1.25% AF-KWP (T₇ or T₆)–supplemented groups compared with control (T₁) group. From the above, it may be concluded that K. alvarezii (AF-KWP) can be incorporated at 1.25 or 1.50% level in broiler diet for improved physico-biochemical characteristics, lipid oxidation, antioxidant activities, and reduction of microbial counts in broiler chicken meat.