Influence of selenium nanoparticles, date pits, and their combination on growth performance and carcass traits of...

BACKGROUND: Nano-sized selenium has gained attention as a highly bioavailable trace mineral capable of enhancing productive and physiological performance in broiler chickens. In parallel, date pits have emerged as a promising unconventional feed resource. This study investigated the effects of nano-selenium (Se-NPs), date pits (DP), and their combined inclusion on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial profile, oxidative status, and carcass characteristics of broilers. METHODS: Selenium nanoparticles were synthesized using ascorbic acid as both a reducing and stabilizing agent and were characterized by UV–visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, EDX, TEM, and zeta potential measurements. A total of 240 Cobb 500 broiler chicks (one week of age) were randomly assigned to four dietary treatments for a 35-day feeding trial: an supplemented control diet, Se-NPs supplementation (T1), partial replacement with DP (T2), and a combined Se-NPs + DP diet (T3). Growth performance indices, apparent nutrient digestibility, intestinal microbial populations, antioxidant biomarkers, and carcass traits were evaluated. RESULTS: Characterization analyses confirmed the successful synthesis of Se-NPs, with a maximum UV–visible absorption peak at 252 nm, particle sizes ranging from 31.35 to 103.60 nm, and a zeta potential of − 27.2 mV. Broilers receiving the combined treatment (T3) achieved greater body weight gain than the control group (2395 vs. 2131 g) and exhibited a lower feed conversion ratio (1.75 vs. 2.01; P < 0.05). Apparent digestibility coefficients for dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, and crude fiber were significantly higher in T3 (P < 0.05). Dietary supplementation, particularly in the combined group, was associated with increased intestinal Lactobacillus counts and reduced populations of pathogenic bacteria, including total coliforms, Salmonella, Shigella, and Escherichia coli. Antioxidant capacity was enhanced, as reflected by elevated total antioxidant capacity and decreased malondialdehyde levels (P < 0.05). Furthermore, birds in T3 exhibited higher carcass yield and muscle proportions, alongside reduced abdominal fat deposition (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The combined inclusion of nano-selenium and date pits in broiler diets produced significant improvements in growth performance, nutrient utilization, intestinal microbial balance, antioxidant defense, and carcass quality, indicating a strong association between physiological responses and productive outcomes.