Consumption of flaxseed enhances poly unsaturated fatty acids in broiler meat

Manipulation of fatty acids of poultry meat to reduce heart related disorders has become focus of attention in modern life style. A total of 160 day-old broiler chicks were distributed into four groups. All the chicks were fed on commercial ration for 4 weeks and provided flaxseed (FS) at the rate of 0 (FS–0), 10 FS–10), 15 (FS–15) and 20% (FS–20) in the feed. Myristic, palmitic, stearic and archidic acids were reduced (P<0.05) when flaxseed level was increased. Lowest (P<0.05) concentration of palmitoleic, oleic, myrestoleic and eruccic acids were recorded in meat from group supplemented with higher amount of flaxseed (FS–20). Linoleic, alpha linolenic, gamma linolenic, eicosatrienoic, eicosapentaenoic (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content of broiler meat increased (P<0.05) with increasing the amount of flaxseed in broiler feed. Arachidonic acid decreased significantly (P<0.05) in response to flaxseed supplementation in broiler feed. Total omega-6 fatty acids also increased (P<0.05) with higher supplementation of broiler feed with flaxseed. Flaxseed may be supplemented in broiler ration up to 10% for decreasing saturated and mono saturated fatty acids (MSFAs) and increasing poly unsaturated fatty acids (PSFAs) in broiler meat without affecting feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio.