Research Article Open Access

Effects of Lysolecithin Supplementation as an Emulsifier in Broiler Diets on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Nutrient Digestibility

Authors

Kursad Kilinc
Tokat Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry, 60200 Tokat, Türkiye
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CORRESPONDING AUTHOR
Senay Sarica
Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Tokat Gaziosmanpasa University, 60240 Tokat, Türkiye
DOI 10.66920/ijps.2026.181.195
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Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated the effects of lysolecithin (LL) supplementation in diets containing two lipid sources (LSs) and two levels of Metabolisable Energy (ME) on growth performance, slaughter characteristics, serum biochemical parameters and nutrient digestibility in broilers.

Materials and Methods: A total of 640 one-day-old male broiler chicks were randomly allocated to eight experimental treatments in a 2×2×2 factorial arrangements. The experimental factors included two ME levels, namely, a normal-ME diet containing the commercially recommended ME level and a low-ME diet containing 100 kcal/kg less ME than the commercial recommendation; two LSs, soybean oil (SO) and turkey fat (TF); and two levels of dietary LL supplementation, 0 and 1 kg/ton.

Results: During the overall experimental period, diets containing SO improved broiler performance compared with diets containing TF (p<0.05). Similarly, the normal-ME diet improved final body weight and body weight gain (p<0.01), feed intake (p<0.05) and feed conversion ratio (FCR; p<0.001) compared with the low-ME diet. Dietary LL supplementation also improved overall growth performance (p<0.05). Supplementation with LL increased serum high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol concentration (p<0.05) and crude protein digestibility (p<0.05) when added to SO-containing diets, whereas these responses decreased when LL was added to TF-containing diets (p<0.05). Furthermore, LL supplementation increased crude fat digestibility in diets containing TF (p<0.05).

Conclusion: The effects of LL supplementation on broiler performance and nutrient utilization were influenced by the dietary lipid source and ME level. Overall, SO and normal dietary ME levels supported better broiler performance, while LL supplementation improved performance and nutrient digestibility, with some responses differing according to the lipid source.

Keywords:

Broiler, emulsifier, lipid source, metabolisable energy level, nutrient digestibility, performance

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Kilinc, K., & Sarica, S. (2026). Effects of Lysolecithin Supplementation as an Emulsifier in Broiler Diets on Growth Performance, Serum Biochemical Parameters and Nutrient Digestibility. International Journal of Poultry Science, 25, 181–195. https://doi.org/10.66920/ijps.2026.181.195

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