Effect of nanostructured zeolite with lipoic acid on performance and carcass yield in broiler

Antioxidants are routinely used as feed additives for broiler production. Among them alpha lipoic acid (ALA) in worth noting as its inclusion (40 mg kg(-1)) increases body weight gain and improves the feed conversion ratio. However, due to its elevated cost, the objective of this work was to study the use when combining it with nanostructures, which could confer its reported advantages and, consequently, lower production costs for food. Thus, the ALA was immobilized onto nanostructured zeolite type mordenite (Zeo) and its effect were compared with those of the free ALA. The antioxidant capability of the ZEO-ALA complex was lower than that of free ALA; however, it still showed an important antioxidant function. ALA is faster released from the complex when it is placed in an environment that simulates the conditions of the digestive tract than in a blood environment. Free ALA (40 mg kg(-1)) was compared to two concentrations of ZEO-ALA (equivalent to 10 and 40 mg kg(-1) of ALA) on productive and carcass parameters. There were no statistically significant advantages of ZEO-ALA over ALA so more alternatives for lowering the cost of the latter should be looked upon.