Effects of Satureja essential oil, garlic and clover leaf powder in diet on performance, blood biochemical parameters and meat oxidative stability of broiler chickens

For carry out of this study we used 560 Ross 308 (mixed sex) broiler chickens, in a completely randomized design with seven t reatments, four replicates and 20 chickens per each replicate. Experimental treatments were: control (no additive), diets containing levels of 400 and 500 mg/kg Satureja essential oil, diets containing levels of two and four percent garlic powder and diets containing levels of five and 10 percent clover leaf powder. The results of this study showed that weight gain of birds that fed with diets containing Satureja khuzistanica essential oil, garlic and clover leaf powder was less than the control birds (P<0/05) across the trial period. Experimental treatments had no significant effect on serum concentration of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL and LDL and percentage of dry matter and crude protein of breast muscle. Also, according to different holding times of breast muscle in the freezer (0, 24 and 48 hours), experimental treatments had no significant effect on the amount of MDA and free N at 24 and 48 hours after freezing. According to the results, using of Satureja essential oil, garlic and clover leaf powder at levels investigated in this study, do not have a significant effect on the performance and the antioxidant potential of breast muscle to modulate lipid per oxidation. Therefore, further studies are needed to evaluate the effectivness and active constituents of these nutrients and ensure their properties.