JOURNAL OF LIAONING TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY
(NATURAL SCIENCE EDITION)
LIAONING GONGCHENG JISHU DAXUE XUEBAO (ZIRAN KEXUE BAN)
辽宁工程技术大学学报（自然科学版）
INFLUENCE OF ACACIA NILOTICA ON MEAT QUALITY OF BROILER CHICKENS
Shahid Iqbal, Nasir Rajput*, Imdad Hussain Leghari, Muhammad Naeem Rajput, Sher Ali, Abdul Kabir
Abstract
Investigate the impact of A. nilotica on meat quality. Conducted at the Poultry Husbandry Department, Sindh Agriculture University Tandojam.300 day-old Hubbard broiler chicks were randomly assigned to five treatment groups, T0 (Control): No A. nilotica pods. T3, T6, T9, and T12: Inclusion of 3%, 6%, 9%, and 12% A. nilotica pods in the diet. Birds received a corn-soybean based basal diet meeting nutrient requirements. Standard housing, lighting, and vaccination protocols were followed.PH of breast muscles: Influenced by A. nilotica pod levels Highest pH (6.5) in the 12% pod group. Meat color (L*, a*, b* values) Darker meat color in Acacia-fed broilers.L* value highest in control group (60.45), indicating lighter meat color. Water holding capacity: Improved with increasing A. nilotica pod levels. Highest capacity (64.71%) in 12% pod group. Antioxidant enzyme activities Superoxide dismutase (SOD) concentration highest in 12% pod group. Malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration (indicator of oxidative stress) lowest in highest pod supplementation group (1.23). The pH of the meat and its water holding capacity improved with Acacia addition, indicating potential improvements in meat texture and juiciness. A. nilotica addition, particularly at a 12% level, led to enhanced antioxidant enzyme activity (SOD concentration) and reduced indicators of oxidative stress (MDA concentration), suggesting potential benefits for the oxidative stability of the meat and overall health of the chickens. The use of A. nilotica as a supplement in broiler diets could compromise growth performance at higher levels, it has the potential to improve several aspects of health and meat quality. Further studies could focus on optimizing the dosage and form of A. nilotica addition to balance growth performance with health and meat quality benefits.
Keywords: Acacia nilotica Meat quality, Treatment groups, Corn-soybean based basal diet PH.