Abstract
Use of nano minerals in farm animal nutrition offers considerable advantages over inorganic or organic mineral sources. But, the conventional chemical synthesis of nano minerals suffers from disadvantage of possible environmental accumulation and pollution due to the non-biodegradable materials and chemicals. This study investigated the effects of green nano-zinc (GNZ) and market nano-zinc (MNZ) with respect to the inorganic zinc (IZ) on meat quality, antioxidant status, mineral deposition, and bone development in broiler chicken. Following a 3 × 3 factorial design, nine dietary treatments were formulated by employing three levels (40, 60, and 80 ppm) and three sources (inorganic, green nano, and market nano) of zinc viz. IZ-40, GNZ-40, MNZ-40, IZ-60, GNZ-60, MNZ-60, IZ-80, GNZ-80, MNZ-80. Six replicates of broiler chicken were assigned to each treatment with eight birds in each. The birds fed 80 ppm Zinc of either GNZ or MNZ source resulted in significantly higher serum SOD, glutathione peroxidase, catalase, zinc, calcium, and phosphorus levels; increased bone dimensions, weight, total ash, phosphorus, and zinc content along with higher liver and muscle zinc concentration. The meat of chicken fed 80 ppm zinc of MNZ source followed by GNZ source has shown significantly better antioxidant (DPPH and ABTS values) status and lower lipid peroxidation (free fatty acid and TBARS values). The 80 ppm zinc of either MNZ or GNZ source resulted in significantly lower fat and cholesterol content of chicken meat compared to lower Zn levels and IZ source. This study indicated that 80 ppm dietary zinc of either MNZ or GNZ source improved the antioxidant status, and reduced the meat cholesterol, fat content, and lipid peroxidation of chicken meat along with increased bone dimensions and mineralization.