Nutritional evaluation and bioactive microconstituents (carotenoids, tocopherols, sterols and squalene) of raw and roasted chicken fed on DHA-rich microalgae

Fresh breast fillets leg fillets and whole carcass from broilers fed on a docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich microalgae were analysed for crude composition energy content sterols fatty acids carotenoids squalene and tocopherols and were compared to broilers fed on a conventional diet DHA supplementation did not cause significant changes of crude composition and sterols - including cholesterol - content On the contrary DHA-enriched broiler s whole carcass breast and legs contained 31-56 times more DHA presented lower omega 6/omega 3 ratios lower tocopherols content and contained significantly more carotenoids and squalene compared to conventional samples The roasting of DHA enriched breast and leg fillets caused partial loss of DHA total fat carotenes sterols squalene and tocopherols The loss of these macro-and microconstituents was more extended in leg fillets compared to breast fillets The consumption of roasted DHA-rich broiler s breast and legs is expected to cover a significant fraction of daily protein and DHA intake without overloading the consumer with cholesterol while providing certain amounts of health promoting microconstituents (C) 2010 Elsevier Ltd All rights reserved