Effect of addition annatto seed powder (Bixa orellana) and astaxanthin to the diet in carcass traits, microflora, and oxidation indices after meat storage for broiler (Ross-308)

Abstract

       This experiment was conducted in the farm of Al-Anwar Poultry Company in Babil Governorate, for a period 35 days from 15/2/2022 - 22/3/2022, during which the effect of adding powder annatto seeds (Bixa orellana) and astaxanthin to the diet in quality traits, microorganisms and oxidative indices after storage, using 225 unsexed one-day-old (Ross-308) chicks, The chicks were randomly divided 15 cages with 5 treatments (45 chicks per treatment) and each treatment contains 3 replicates for each replicate 15 chicks, and the experimental treatments were as follows: without addition, Annatto seed powder 0.5 & 1 g / kg feed, astaxanthin 50 & 100 mg / kg feed for T1, T2, T3, T4, and T5 respectively. As for the following study results: significant superiority (p≤0.01) for T3 and T5 treatments in carcass percentage, gizzard, and spleen relative weight, and for T4 treatment in the liver, and bursa of fabricius, meanwhile significant improvement (p≤0.01) for T3, T4, and T5 in the chest, as well as for T2, T3, and T5 in thigh, significant superiority (p≤0.01) for T2, and T1 in neck and back respectively. A significant increase (p≤0.01) for all treatments addition in ileum Lactobacillus count as well as a significant decrease (p≤0.01) for all treatments addition in ileum E. coli count. A significant decrease for all treatments addition in  FFA%, PV, and TBA.