Supplemental Selenium Nanoparticles-loaded to Chitosan Improves Meat Quality, Pectoral Muscle Histology, Tibia Bone Morphometry and Tissue Mineral Retention in Broilers

The current study was conducted to evaluate the potential impact of dietary selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) alone, in combination with chitosan or loaded to chitosan on pectoral muscle quality and tibia bone morphology in broilers. Two hundred-and-forty day-old chicks were raised in five groups, each group having eight replicates (n=6/replicate). The control group received a basal diet whereas the other four groups received basal diet supplemented with selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs-0.5mg/kg), chitosan (COS-200mg/kg), SeNPs+COS (0.5mg/kg+200mg/kg) or SeNPs loaded to COS (SeNPs-L-COS-200mg/kg), respectively. On day 35, two birds/replicate were euthanized to collect blood, tibia bone, and pectoral muscle. Muscle pH, selenium and calcium concentrations were significantly higher (P<0.05) in broiler fed SeNPs+COS and SeNPs-L-COS while drip loss percentage was significantly lower (P<0.05) in broilers fed SeNPs-L-COS when compared with birds in the control group. Dietary SeNPs-L-COS resulted in significantly higher (P<0.05) water holding capacity, muscle, fiber diameter and cross-sectional area when compared with the control group. Bone weight and weight/length index were higher (P<0.05) in broilers fed SeNPs+COS and SeNPs-L-COS compared to birds in the control group. Diaphysis-diameter was higher (P<0.05) in broilers fed SeNPs and SeNPs-L-COS groups in comparison with birds in the control group. Phosphorus concentration was higher (P<0.05) in tibia bone in broilers fed SeNPs+COS and SeNPs-L-COS when compared to birds in the control group. Thus, we conclude that supplementation of SeNPs-L-COS improves breast muscle histology, tibia bone health, mineral retention in tissue, and resulting meat quality in broilers.