Abstract:

In order to explore the role of algae in feed additives, the meat composition of Xianju chicken fed Enteromorpha sp. or Gracilaria sp. were analyzed by liquid chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Results indicated that both Enteromorpha sp. and Gracilaria sp. powders could obviously increase the contents of total protein, crude fat, myosin, betaine, hexanal, ethyl acetate and 2-methyl acrylate in chicken meat. The contents of essential amino acids such as threonine, valine and arginine exhibited a significant improvement in chicken fed Enteromorpha sp. powder; whereas, threonine, isoleucine and glutamic acid in Xianju chicken fed Gracilaria sp. A total of 45 and 33 flavor components were detected in breast meat and leg meat of chicken, respectively. As a conclusion, Enteromorpha sp. powder has an obvious promoting effect on the accumulation of hydrocarbons, alcohol and sulfur compounds in chicken meat, while, Gracilaria sp. powder has an obvious promoting effect on the accumulation of aldehyde, ester and acetate. Therefore, the feeding of algae powder will facilitate the accumulation of nutrients in chicken meat.

Key words: Enteromorpha sp., Gracilaria sp., nutritional components, chicken meat, flavor materials