Effects of new mineral sources for boron supplementation on meat quality in broilers

Boron is a known nutritional factor in calcium metabolism reflecting its importance in the development of the normal bone. Its presence and supplementation is extremely important given the fact that it interacts with pyridine, riboflavin, dehydro-ascorbic acid and pyridine nucleotides. Its biological relevance is also reflected by the wide distribution within the animal tissue and organs (0.05-0.06 ppm fresh weight). The purpose of this study was to assess the effect of boron (10-20 ppm) derived from two new, recently patented, mineral supplements (phosphate glass with boron and calcium fructo-borate) on broiler carcass and meat quality. Our results show that boron supplementation in broilers feed, in amounts of 10-20 ppm sourced from boric acid, boron phosphate glass and calcium fructo-borate did not significantly affected carcass yield percentage and commercial yield, carcass weight, chemical composition of the breast and thighs, nor the boron content of the liver compared to controls (no boron addition). Significant effects were obtained in terms of breast and boneless breast weight when 20 ppm boron from boron phosphate glass was supplemented to feed. Boron supplementation of the feed with 20 ppm from boric acid and 10 ppm from phosphate glass determined a significant increase in liver weight (p <0.001), and when boron was supplemented at 20 ppm through phosphate glass the liver weight significantly increased (p<0.05) compared to control broilers with no supplementation. For all three boron sources a significant increase in the content of boron in the tibia at both levels of supplementation (10 and 20 ppm) was obtained. Boron supplementation of chicken broilers feed using two new mineral products (phosphate glass with boron and calcium fructo-borate) can provide a significant increase of boron content in breast and breast fillet and also have a significant improvement in the boron content of the tibia.