Selenium-enriched garlic and cabbage as a dietary selenium source for broilers

Area of Science:

• Animal Nutrition
• Trace Mineral Metabolism
• Agricultural Science

Background:

• Selenium (Se) is an essential trace element crucial for poultry health and antioxidant defense.
• Se-enriched vegetables offer a promising alternative source for improving Se status in animal diets.
• Understanding Se bioavailability from plant sources is vital for optimizing poultry feed formulations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the bioavailability of selenium (Se) from Se-enriched garlic and cabbage in broiler chickens.
• To evaluate the impact of Se-enriched vegetables on Se deposition and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) activity.
• To compare the efficacy of Se-enriched vegetables against a standard Se supplement.

Main Methods:

• Broiler chickens were fed diets containing conventional or Se-enriched garlic and cabbage.
• Diets included a positive control (selenomethionine) and negative control (no added Se).
• Selenium content, weight gain, feed intake, and plasma/liver GPX activity were measured over 4 weeks.

Main Results:

• Se-enriched garlic and cabbage significantly increased Se content in broiler liver and plasma compared to controls.
• Plasma GPX activity was elevated in birds fed Se-enriched vegetables, similar to the positive control.
• Se bioavailability was high and comparable across Se-enriched vegetables and the positive control group.

Conclusions:

• Selenium from Se-enriched garlic and cabbage is highly bioavailable to broiler chickens.
• These Se-enriched vegetables can effectively enhance Se status and antioxidant enzyme activity.
• Se-enriched vegetables represent a viable and beneficial strategy for improving poultry nutrition and health.