Evaluation of adding sodium stearoyl-2-Lactylate to energy-reduced diets on broilers' development, nutritional digestibility, bacterial count in the excreta, and serum lipid profiles

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the outcome of sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate (SSL) supplementation to energy reduced diets on broilers' growth performance, apparent nutrient digestibility, excreta bacterial counts, and blood lipid profile. A total of 700 one-day-old male (feather sexed) Ross 308 broiler chickens having an average body weight of 43 +/- 1.2 g were randomly allotted to five (5) dietary treatments (7 pens/treatment). The treatments consisted of: (1) positive control (PC) (basal diet with metabolisable energy, ME = 3000 kcal/kg starter; 3100 kcal/kg grower; 3200 kcal/kg finisher), (2) negative control (NC) (PC - 50 kcal/kg), (3) SSL1, NC + 0.03% SSL, (4) SSL2, NC + 0.04% SSL, (5) SSL3, NC + 0.05% SSL. The PC group showed higher BWG (body weight gain) and lower FCR (feed conversion ration) than the NC group during days 1 to 7, and 7 to 21. SSL supplemented groups showed higher BWG and better FCR than the NC group, along with a linear increase in BWG and linear decrease in FCR during days 1 to 7 and 7 to 21. Furthermore, a linear increase in overall BWG was observed with SSL doses. Excreta microbial counts were not influenced by energy levels or SSL doses. In blood serum parameters, LDL (low density lipoprotein) cholesterol was reduced with a linear tendency by increasing levels of SSL supplementation. In conclusion, sodium stearoyl-2-lactylate supplementation showed better growth and nutrient digestibility in broilers' at an early age.