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Five hundred broiler males were grown to 56 d and processed under common terms. Front halves were deboned 24 h postmortem to obtain breast fillets, and CIELAB light reflectance was measured on the skin side of each fillet 24 h later. All fillets were bagged and frozen (-20° C) for 5 ma Then the fillets exhibiting the lowest (dark), median (normal), and highest (pale) L* values 48 h postmortem were thawed (3 d at 4°C) and cooked (internal temperature 80°C). Thawing reduced the L* value in the pale fillets and increased it in the dark ones, and cooking further increased L* value and reduced the differences in L*, a*, and b* between groups. Thawing and cooking losses were not affected by initial L* value until they were combined. Total losses increased with initial L*, which was in parallel with a lower increase in thickness after cooking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eight hundred broiler males were grown to 56 d and processed under common terms while maintaining individual identity. Front halves were deboned 24 h postmortem (PM) to obtain breast fillets, and CIELAB light reflectance was immediately measured on the skin side of each fillet. Fillets were bagged and held at 4°C for 24 h, and then 20 fillets exhibiting the darkest (47.3 to 57.5), lightest (71.1 to 76.4), and median (63.7 to 64.0) L* values were selected and trimmed to best define the pectoralis major. Remeasurement of light reflectance at 48 h PM revealed decreased L* values solely associated with fillets having the highest L* at 24 h. One-half of the fillets representing each category was frozen (4 d at -20°C) and thawed (3 d at 4°C). The L* value, after thawing, decreased from the 48 h PM value, which equivalently occurred in for all L* categories. Although 48 h PM fillets from each L* category were of similar weights, their lengths and widths increased with L* value. Exudate lost with thawing increased with L* value and paralleled decreases in length and width to equalize dimensions among sources. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Microalgae synthesize a wide variety of bioactive compounds, such as polysaccharides, PUFAs, and pigments. In addition, microalgae are known for positively influencing growth and intestinal parameters in birds and thus have been contemplated as potential feed additives. Nevertheless, several species widely used in aquaculture have not received much attention in terrestrial animal nutrition. Therefore, in this investigation, we used biomass from Tysochrysis lutea, Tetraselmis chuii, and Porphyridium cruentum to evaluate its safety and usefulness for improving intestinal architecture, body weight, and selected meat quality parameters. Dietary administration of the different biomasses showed positive effects regarding intestinal architecture, which were associated with the observed body weight. Furthermore, the thawing weight loss of fillets decreased after supplementation with T. chuii. Hence, these outcomes suggest that dietary microalgae might be considered as a promising bio-friendly alternative for feed additive production. This pilot investigation aimed at studying the feasibility of using a low dose (0.2%) of dietary microalgae as a means of improving intestinal morphometry, body weight, and selected meat quality parameters in broilers. A total of 72 one-day-old ROSS 308 male chicks were randomly separated into four groups; three experimental pens in which the birds were fed with biomass from Tysochrysis lutea, Tetraselmis chuii, and Porphyridium cruentum over 30 days and a control group. T. chuii and P. cruentum had a positive effect with regard to body weight. In treated animals, duodenal and ileal sections showed characteristic tall and thin villi, with serrated surfaces and goblet cell differentiation. In both sections, values of the villus-height-to-crypt-depth ratio were increased by microalgae ingestion. The thawing weight loss of fillets was reduced in T. chuii-fed animals. The positive effects exerted by T. chuii and P. cruentum on intestinal architecture were associated with the improved body weight. Arguably, these outcomes exhibit the potential of using these species to enhance growth performance in broiler chickens by promoting gut homeostasis and thus nutrient absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]