Gamma-linolenic acid (GLA) is a fatty acid from the ω-6 family. It is able to deliver a wide range of health benefits arising from its anti-inflammatory effects. An insufficient supply of GLA from agricultural and animal sources resulted in the development of a fermentation technique using lower filamentous fungi, which have the ability to accumulate high concentrations of GLA and beta-carotene during solid-state fermentation of cereals. The goal of this study was to observe the influence of the addition of prefermented cereal product, containing high amounts of GLA and beta-carotene, into the feed of broiler chickens on their immune status, and also the number of lactic acid bacteria and enterobacteria in gut content, which has never been studied before. Immunostimulation in the GLA group was manifested by a significant increase in the oxidative burst of phagocytes, CD4+CD8- lymphocytes in blood, and the CD4: CD8 ratio. Upregulation of gene expression for IgA in the GLA group indicates that the B-lymphocytes were stimulated at a local gut level. In the caecum, increased mRNA expression for mucin-2 and insulin-like growth factor was observed in the GLA group, which could contribute mainly to the protection of the intestinal mucosa and to better growth and regeneration of skeletal muscles. Improved immune activation and protection of the intestinal mucosa were subsequently reflected in a change of the microbial composition in gut contents; a significant reduction of enterobacteria occurred after GLA administration. We can conclude that prefermented cereals containing fungal GLA and beta-carotene represent a low-cost supplement for broiler diet having a beneficial health effect.

The aim of this work was to analyse the effect of addition of 10% (w/w) fermented bioproduct into commercial broiler feed on fatty acid profile, lipid oxidative stability, and sensory properties of chicken breast meat. The fermented bioproduct was prepared by fermentation of cornmeal by filamentous fungi Umbelopsis isabellina CCF 2412 in solid-state fermentation (SSF) process and the final bioproduct was enriched with gamma-linolenic acid and beta-carotene. In the experiment, 80 pieces of 1-day-old chickens COBB 500 were used. Half of them (control group) were fed only with commercial feed. Chickens of the experimental group were fed with commercial feed, and, from the 11th day of age until the time of slaughter (39th day), 10% of commercial feed was replaced with fermented bioproduct. Application of fermented bioproduct into commercial feed mixture positively influenced profile of fatty acids in breast meat. The amount of gamma-linolenic, alpha-linolenic, and oleic acids in fat of breast muscles was increased and n-6/n-3 ratio was significantly decreased. Profile and content of PUFAs did not change after thermal treatment of meat. Oxidative stability of fat and sensory properties of the meat during the storage (4°C, 7 days) of meat were not affected by fermented bioproduct.

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The aim of this work was to study the effect of the addition of prefermented cereal-based bioproduct (5%; BP) enriched with c-linolenic acid to the commercial feed for broiler chickens on the production indicators, chemical composition, fatty acid profile and lipid oxidation of the meat. BP was prepared by solid-state fermentation using fungal strain Cunninghamella elegans CCF 2591. Spelt bran was used as a substrate. A total of 80 broiler chickens (COBB 500) were used in this experiment. Half of them (experimental group) was fed with experimental feed and second half (control group) was fed only with commercial compound feed. Administration of BP to the broilers positively influenced production indicators. Broilers of the experimental group reached higher final weight, and showed lower average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio, and feed intake compared to the control group. Meat of the experimental group consisted of the lower amount of total protein and fat. BP influenced fatty acid profile as well. Meat of the experimental group, in comparison to control, contained higher amount of unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) and lower amount of saturated fatty acids. Mainly the amount of a-linolenic acid and c-linolenic acid was higher. Significantly higher concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA) was observed in muscles of experimental group during 7-day storage in refrigerator. Based on the results obtained we can conclude that replacing 5% of the commercial feed by BP could not only improve performance parameters of chickens, but also affect chemical composition and fatty acid content of meat. ARTICLE HISTORY

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