Effect of Clinoptilolite Coated with Silver Nanoparticles on Meat Quality Attributes of Broiler Chickens during Frozen Storage

This study was carried out to assess the effect of clinoptilolite coated with silver nanoparticles on meat quality attributes of broiler chickens during frozen storage. A total of 375 one-day-old broiler chicks were assigned in a completely randomized design to 1 of 5 experimental groups including: basal diet, basal diet supplemented with 1% clinoptilolite and basal diet supplemented with 1% clinoptilolite coated with either 25, 50 or 75 ppm nanosilver. On d 42, five birds per treatment were slaughtered and breast and thigh meat were kept 3 or 7 days at -17 ˚C before assessing meat quality attributes. The addition of nanosilver coated on clinoptilolite at all levels increased water-holding capacity (WHC) in thigh muscles after 7 days frozen storage. The lowest value of springiness and chewiness was for the breast muscle of broilers fed clinoptilolite coated with 25 ppm nanosilver diet. Adhesiveness, cohesiveness and gumminess value were not influenced by treatment (P>0.05). In conclusion, nanosilver coated on clinoptilolite can be used as potential feed additive in the broiler diet without negative implications on meat quality characteristics.