Effects of mineral, organic and Zinc nano-sources on performance, blood biochemical, and immune parameters and meat quality of Broiler chickens

Mohammadi, Vahid; Ghazanfari, Shokoofeh; Mohammadi Sang-Cheshmeh, Abdullah

doi:10.22059/jap.2026.408531.623893

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

¹ Corresponding Author, National Institute of Animal Sciences Research Karaj, Iran. E-mail: mohammadi_v@ut.ac.ir

² Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Technology(Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: shghazanfari@ut.ac.ir

³ Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Faculty of Agricultural Technology(Aburaihan), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran. E-mail: amohammadis@ut.ac.ir

10.22059/jap.2026.408531.623893

Abstract

Objective: Trace elements, particularly zinc (Zn), play a pivotal role in the metabolic processes and growth of broiler chickens. Recent technological advancements have facilitated the synthesis of novel Zn complexes engineered for enhanced nutrient delivery. Consequently, this study was designed to evaluate the effects of various dietary Zn sources on growth performance, carcass characteristics, immunological parameters, and the lipid oxidative stability of broiler meat.
Method: A total of 200 one-day-old Ross 308 broiler chicks were randomly distributed into five experimental treatments, each with four replicates. The treatments consisted of a basal corn-soybean meal diet (Control) or the basal diet supplemented with 40 mg/kg of Zn-sulfate, Zn-methionine, Zn-nano sulfate, or Zn-nano methionine. Feed and water were provided for ad libitum consumption. Environmental temperature and relative humidity were strictly regulated within optimal ranges. Assessments included growth performance, carcass traits, hematological profiles, and thigh meat quality. The nano-complexes were engineered utilizing nano-chelate technology.
Results: At the end of the starter period, the lowest feed intake (FI) was observed in birds supplemented with Zn-nano sulfate (P<0.05). This reduced FI resulted in diminished growth during this phase, showing a significant difference compared to the other groups (P<0.05). Over the entire experimental period (days 1 to 42), a numerical trend toward increased body weight gain (BWG) was noted among treatments (P=0.06). The most favorable feed conversion ratio (FCR) was recorded in the Zn-nano methionine group, which differed significantly from the Control and Zn-nano sulfate groups (P<0.05). Carcass yield was significantly affected by the treatments (P<0.05), with the lowest yields observed in the Control and Zn-nano sulfate groups. Furthermore, the relative weight of the abdominal fat pad was significantly higher in the Control and Zn-nano sulfate groups compared to other treatments (P<0.05). Dietary Zn sources also significantly influenced serum lymphocyte percentages (P < 0.05); the most robust cell-mediated immune response was observed in birds fed Zn-nano methionine and Zn-methionine. Regarding oxidative stability, the extent of lipid oxidation in thigh meat from the Control group was significantly higher at 50, 100, and 150 minutes post-mortem compared to all other treatment groups (P<0.05).
Conclusion: In conclusion, supplementation of broiler diets with 40 mg/kg of nanoscale Zn sources, particularly Zn-nano methionine and Zn-nano sulfate, differentially influenced growth performance, selected immunological traits, and meat quality.

Keywords

References

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Journal of Animal Production, Print ISSN: 2008-6776., Online ISSN: 2382-994X

Effects of mineral, organic and Zinc nano-sources on performance, blood biochemical, and immune parameters and meat quality of Broiler chickens

References

References

Volume 28, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 247-258

Effects of mineral, organic and Zinc nano-sources on performance, blood biochemical, and immune parameters and meat quality of Broiler chickens

References

References

Volume 28, Issue 2July 2026Pages 247-258

Volume 28, Issue 2
July 2026
Pages 247-258