Oxidative stability enhancement of broiler bird meats with α-lipoic acid and α-tocopherol acetate supplemented feed

Depression of meat quality is known to be caused by lipid peroxidation occurring in meat. Supplementation of antioxidants in feed decreases lipid peroxidation and improves the oxidative stability of meat after slaughtering. The present study demonstrated that meat obtained from broiler birds fed feed supplemented with alpha-tocopherol acetate (200 mg/kg feed) along with alpha-lipoic acid (25, 75, or 150 mg/kg feed) exhibited increased oxidative stability and reduced fat content. The total phenolic content and alpha-lipoic acid content increased in the meat as the concentration of alpha-lipoic acid supplementation increased. The protein content in the meat was not changed by the supplementation of alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-tocopherol acetate. The results of DPPH and TBA assays demonstrated that feed supplemented with alpha-lipoic acid and alpha-tocopherol acetate also enhanced the antioxidant activity of broiler meat. On the other hand, the meat from broiler birds fed feed supplemented with oxidised oil (4% in feed) reduced its oxidative stability. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.