title: Effect of zeolite (clinoptilolite) as feed additive in Tunisian broilers on the total flora, meat texture and the production of omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Increasing consumer demand for healthier food products has led to the development of governmental policies regarding health claims in many developed countries. In this context, contamination of poultry by food-borne pathogens is considered one of the major problems facing the progress of the poultry industry in Tunisia.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Zeolite (Clinoptilolites) was added to chicken feed at concentrations 0,5% or 1% and was evaluated for its effectiveness to reduce total flora in chickens and its effects on performance of the production. The broilers were given free and continuous access to a nutritionally non-limiting diet (in meal form)that was either a basal diet or a' zeolite diet' (the basal diet supplemented with clinoptilolite at a level of 0,5% or 1%). It was found that adding zeolite in the broiler diet significantly (p < 0,05) reduced total flora levels, as compared to the control, on the chicken body. In addition, it was found that zeolite treatment had a positive effect on performance production and organoleptic parameters that were measured and mainly on the increase level of Omega 3 fatty acid.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed the significance of using zeolite, as a feed additive for broilers, as part of a comprehensive program to control total flora at the broiler farm and to increase level of Omega 3 fatty acid on the chicken body.
authors.affiliation: Centre Vétérinaire de Recherche, Sfax, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Zouhir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Mallek
authors.forename: Imen
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fendri
authors.forename: Lamia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Khannous
authors.forename: Amal
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Hassena
authors.forename: Al Ibrahim
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Traore
authors.forename: Mohamed-Ali
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Ayadi
authors.forename: Radhouane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gdoura
mesh_terms: D000821:Animal Feed / Q000032:analysis*; D000818:Animals; D002021:Buffers; D002645:Chickens / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005503:Food Additives / Q000494:pharmacology*; D007422:Intestines / Q000187:drug effects / Q000382:microbiology; D008460:Meat / Q000032:analysis*; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D010461:Peptones / Q000494:pharmacology; D011200:Poultry; D013848:Thigh; D014416:Tunisia; D014867:Water / Q000737:chemistry; D017641:Zeolites / Q000494:pharmacology*
chemical_list: D002021:Buffers; D015525:Fatty Acids, Omega-3; D005503:Food Additives; D010461:Peptones; D014867:Water; C083175:clinoptilolite; D017641:Zeolites