The Effect of Addition of Activated Bentonite to Aflatoxin Contaminated Feed on Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

This study was carried out to determine the effects of natural and activated bentonite addition to aflatoxin contaminated feed on meat quality of broiler chickens. In the study, 216 one-day-old broiler chicks (Ross-308) used in this study. Bentonite provided from special mine in Eskişehir-Seyitgazi in Turkiye. The experimental groups consisted of 6 treatment groups with 6 replicates with 6 animals in each group [no AFB1+bentonite, no AFB1+0.4% natural bentonite, no AFB1+0.4% active bentonite, 0.05 ppm AFB1+bentonite, 0.05 ppm AFB1+0.4% natural bentonite, 0.05 ppm AFB1+0.4% active bentonite]. Feed and water were given ad-libitum and the study was continued for 42 days. At the end of the study, meat quality characteristics (breast, thigh and liver pH, L*, a*, b*) of a total of 60 animals (10 animals from each treatment group) were determined. As a result, it was determined that AFB1 decreased the thigh and liver pH levels of broiler chickens (P<0.001), but did not affect the breast pH level (P>0.05); the addition of active and natural bentonite did not affect the breast and thigh pH levels (P>0.05). AFB1 decreased breast a* level (P<0.05), increased liver L* and b* levels (P<0.05); active and natural bentonite supplementation did not affect breast meat, thigh meat and liver colour values (P>0.05). In this study, the effects of bentonite at 0.4% levels were evaluated and it is thought that a comprehensive study at different value levels in the future will give more useful results to the scientific community in this field.