Effects of peppermint essential oil and artifier in low energy diets on production index, feed cost, blood biochemical parameters and meat quality of broiler chickens

In the present study, the effects of peppermint essential oil (PEO) and artifier in low energy diets on production index, feed cost, blood biochemical parameters and shelf life of meat of broiler chickens was investigated. A total of 240 male Ross broiler were used in a completely randomized design with 2×2 factorial method and compared with the control treatment (5 treatments) and 4 replications. Experimental treatments were include 1. control treatment and treatments containing low energy diets (150 kcal / kg less than the control diet) supplemented with 2. without additives 3. 150 ppm PEO 4. 300 ppm artifiers and 5. 150 ppm PEO + 300 ppm artifiers. The results showed that among broiler chickens fed low energy diets, the use of PEO + artifier in the diet increased body weight, production index (P=0.11) and decreased feed price (P<0.05) in the whole period. No difference was observed between birds fed control diet and birds fed low energy diet containing PEO + artifier in body weight, production index, survival percentage and feed price. Also, birds fed low energy diets containing PEO + artifier had lower serum cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglyceride and meat malondialdehyde, and greater total antioxidant capacity, as compared to control diet. Finally, it can be concluded that the simultaneous use of 150 ppm PEO and 300 ppm artifier in low energy diets of broiler chickens compared to the control diet had the same performance and feed cost and improved blood biochemistry parameters and meat shelf life.