Duração da eclosão e temperatura de incubação sobre a qualidade dos pintos, seu desempenho e qualidade de carne

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of glycerol on GHR and IGF-1 gene expression in breast muscle and on growth of Japanese meat quails

We evaluated messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of the growth-hormone (GHR) and insulin-like growth factor (IGF-1) genes in 28-day-old Japanese meat quails fed diets containing 0, 8, or 12% dietary glycerol in substitution of corn. Total RNA was extracted from the breast muscle and the DNA was amplified with specific primers using real-time PCR. Feed conversion ratio and feed intake were evaluated. The birds fed 8 and 12% glycerol presented higher IGF-1 mRNA expression [0.059 and 0.049 arbitrary units (AU), respectively] relative to those not fed with glycerol (0.029 AU), while 12% glycerol reduced GHR mRNA expression (0.022 AU). Dietary inclusion of 8% glycerol promoted similar performance results (feed conversion) as the diet with no glycerol. We conclude that inclusion of glycerol in the diet affects GHR and IGF-1 gene expression in Japanese meat quails. However, considering the performance results and the expression of the GHR and IGF-1 genes, 8% glycerol may be safely included in the diet of meat quails. © FUNPEC-RP.

Performance, carcass yield, and qualitative characteristics of breast and leg muscles of broilers fed diets supplemented with vitamin E at different ages

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Effect of different probiotics on broiler carcass and meat quality

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Incidence and physical properties of PSE chicken meat in a commercial processing plant

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

The use of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes for the detection of poultry offal meal in meat-type quail feeds

The objective of the present study was to trace the inclusion of poultry offal meal (POM) in the diet of meat-type quails reared for a long period using the technique of stable isotopes. A number of 320 quails were randomly distributed into eight treatments: vegetable diet (T1), and a diet containing 8% POM were fed until the end of the experimental period (T2) or replaced by the vegetable diet on day 42 (T3), 56 (T4), 70 (T5), 84 (T6), 98 (T7), and 112 (T8). Breast muscle samples were collected from four birds randomly selected per treatment every 14 days. The obtained isotope results were submitted to multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) with the aid of the GLM procedure of statistical SAS program. Treatments were different from T1 when birds were sacrificed at least two weeks after the diet was changed. T2 results were different from T1 in all evaluated periods. It was concluded that it is possible to trace poultry offal meal inclusion in a strictly vegetable diet after the diet was changed for at least 14 days.

Polymorphisms in FGFBP1 and FGFBP2 genes associated with carcass and meat quality traits in chickens

In the past, the focus of broiler breeding programs on yield and carcass traits improvement led to problems related to meat quality. Awareness of public concern for quality resulted in inclusion of meat quality traits in the evaluation process. Nevertheless, few genes associated with meat quality attributes are known. Previous studies mapped quantitative trait loci for weight at 35 and 42 days in a region of GGA4 flanked by the microsatellite markers, MCW0240 and LEI0063. In this region, there are 2 fibroblast growth factor binding protein (FGFBP) genes that play an important role in embryogenesis, cellulardifferentiation, and proliferation in chickens. The objective of this study was to identify and associate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in FGFBP1 and FGFBP2 with performance, carcass, and meat quality in experimental and commercial chicken populations. In the commercial population, SNP g.2014G>A in FGFBP1 was associated with decreased carcass weight (P < 0.05), and SNP g.651G>A in FGFBP2 was associated with thawing loss and meat redness content (P < 0.05). Four haplotypes were constructed based on 2 SNPs and were associated with breast weight, thawing loss, and meat redness content. The diplotypes were associated with thawing loss, lightness, and redness content. The SNPs evaluated in the present study may be used as markers in poultry breeding programs to aid in improving growth and meat quality traits. © FUNPEC-RP.

Meat and carcass traits of the red-winged tinamou (Rhynchotus rufescens)

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Identification and association of polymorphisms in CAPN1 and CAPN3 candidate genes related to performance and meat quality traits in chickens

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Comparison of growth curve parameters of organs and body components in meat- (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and laying-type (Coturnix coturnix japonica) quail show interactions between gender and genotype

The objective of this study was to estimate growth parameters of carcass components (wing, thighs and drumsticks, back and breast) and organs (heart, liver, gizzard and gut) in males and females of one meat-type quail strain (Coturnix coturnix coturnix) and two laying strains (Coturnix coturnix japonica) designated either yellow or red.A total of 1350 quail from 1 to 42d old were distributed in a completely randomised design, with 5 replicates of each strain. The carcass component weights and body organs were analysed weekly and evaluated using the Gompertz function; growth rates were evaluated through derivative equations.The meat-type strain presented the highest growth rates in carcass components and organs. Across strains, females showed the highest weight of internal organs at maturity compared to males.Females had greater growth potential in breast, wings and back than males for both yellow and red laying quail.

Poultry offal meal traceability in meat quail tissues using the technique of stable carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) isotopes

Studies on the detection of animal by-products in poultry meat are rare, and non-existent on quail meat. This study aimed at detectiong increasing levels of poultry offal meal (POM) in quail meat, using carbon (13C/12C) and nitrogen (15N/14N) stable isotopes technique. Sixty four on-day-old male quails derived from a commercial farm were randomly distributed into seven different groups, which were fed experimental diets containing 0, 1.5, 3.0, 4.5, 6.0, 7.5, and 15% of POM. Diets were formulated to contain equal energy, protein, and amino acid levels. Four individuals per treatment were sacrificed at 42 days of age for breast muscle (Pectoralis major), keel, and tibia collection, which were subsequently submitted to analyses. Isotopic δ13C and δ15N enrichment was observed in all analyzed tissues, with the lowest detection level of 3% dietary inclusion of poultry offal meal.

Stunning method in broiler chickens meat processing

Quality is a variable concept, which involves many factors, depending on the consumer market. In meat production, the concern with environmental aspects, animal welfare and the health and safety of workers is increasing. This work studied the effect of controlled atmosphere stunning of broilers on meat features and biochemical parameters for stress. Cobb broilers were stunned by electrical stunning and by controlled atmosphere with 70% CO2 and 70% CO2 + 30% Argon. After stunning, serum levels of glucose, lactate and corticosterone were compared with those of broilers at rest, immediately before transportation and slaughter and after 12 h of feed withdrawal (control group). At slaughter, blood volume drained during bleeding was not different for the stunning methods tested, ranging from 3.3 to 3.4% birds weight. This finding was important to demonstrate that gas stunning was not responsible for the animals′ death. Final pH in breast (6.1 to 6.2) and thigh (6.3 to 6.5) also did not vary among the different stunning methods (P > 0.05). Lightness (L = 60.55) and redness (a = +8.94) values found for breasts from electrical stunning showed that they were darker and redder (P < 0.05), probably due to changes in blood pressure. Glucose and corticosterone levels were not different between gas stunned birds (302.45 to 315.7 mg/dl and 55.71 to 72.49 ng/ml respectively) and birds at rest (305.95 mg/dl and 50.65 ng/ml) (P > 0.05). These stress indicators were higher (337.65 mg/dl for glucose and 104.13 ng/ml for costicosterone) when electrical stunning was used (P < 0.05). Lactate concentrations were lower (5.4 mmol/l) for birds at rest (P < 0.05) but not different for all stunning methods tested (7.3 to 8.1 mmol/l; P > 0.05). These results show that serum glucose may be used as a stress indicator in birds, with the advantage of being a quick and cheap biochemical test. Gas stunning favored birds′ management during slaughter and so reduced workers′ effort and injury hazard and the amount of feces and dust in the room. To make this method available for a large scale process, adjustments in equipments will be necessary to avoid delays in the processing line.

Chicken meat consumer profile in northwestern São Paulo State, Brazil

Brazil is the world’s first chicken meat exporter nowadays. The maintenance of this position requires a constant quality attributes evolution. This work evaluated the chicken meat consumer profile in the northwest region of São Paulo state, the most important Brazilian poultry meat consumer market, in order to provide information to the productive sector. The data were collected using 482 interviews and questionnaires that were answered by e-mail. The questionnaires involved questions related to the consumer identification, habits and preferences and their knowledge about food safety, production system, sustainability and animal welfare. Most of the consumers, 62%, were female, with ages ranging from 20 to 50 years. Beef was preferred by the majority of the answerers and chicken and pork meat were together the second choice. Only 2% of the interviewed consumers mentioned not enjoying poultry meat. The main part of consumers, 67%, prefer to buy breast and leg cuts and only 11% are used to buy the whole poultry carcass. More than 60% of the interviewed have already eaten free range chicken meat, but the majority of them, 89%, are used to consume regular industrialized poultry. About 75% of the consumers believe hormones are used to grow the birds. Over 80% of people observe the expiration date before buying the product, but only 55% check if it has the stamp of the official inspection service. Color and appearance of meat are the most important factors that influence the consumer’s choice. The amount of water that drips on the tray is a rejection factor to 88% of answerers. Most of them, 66%, prefer lighter colored meat. Only 27% of them believe that chicken meat causes an environmental impact and 48% do not know the meaning of animal welfare. More than half of the interviewed do not consider animal welfare aspects before consuming any kind of meat. From these results obtained, it is possible to conclude that any effort to improve the product quality, mainly concerned to animal welfare and sustainability aspects, requires prior educational initiatives.