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ARS Home » Plains Area » College Station, Texas » Southern Plains Agricultural Research Center » Food and Feed Safety Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #142092

Title: INFLUENCE OF DIETARY METHIONINE SOURCE ON VOLATILE SULFUR COMPOUNDS IN BROILER EXCRETA

Author
item CHAVEZ, C - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item COUFAL, C - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item CAREY, J - TX A&M UNIVERSITY
item Beier, Ross
item Zahn, James

Submitted to: Poultry Science Association Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/12/2002
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: To evaluate the impact of methionine source on volatile sulfur compounds in broiler excreta a trial was conducted using straight run broiler chicks raised in battery cages. Chicks were randomly distributed into 3 replications of 5 treatment groups with 16 birds per pen. The treatment groups were dry methionine hydroxy analogue (Dry MHA), sodium methioninate aqueous solution (Na Methionine), liquid methionine hydroxy analogue (Liq MHA), dl-methionine, (DL Methionine), and no supplemental methionine (control group). The methionine activity of each methionine source was 52, 45.9, 88, and 98% respectively. All diets were formulated to contain 0.8% total methionine activity (except control group, 0.35% methionine activity) and otherwise met NRC nutrient requirements. Diets were fed ad libitum from day 1 to 6 weeks of age. Feed consumption was measured daily and all birds were weighed weekly. There were no significant differences in body weight, feed consumption or feed conversion among the treatments. All excreta were collected in litter pans lined with aluminum foil. At week 6, broiler excreta were collected for a 24-hour period, 4.5 grams of the broiler excreta of each treatment group was collected into 15 ml headspace vials. Samples were analyzed by gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer. Volatile sulfur compounds that were identified and quantified in the broiler excreta were: hydrogen sulfide (H2S), carbonyl sulfide (COS), methyl mercaptan (CH3SH), dimethyl disulfide (CH3SSCH3), dimethyl trisulfide (CH3SSSCH3). Na Methionine had significantly higher concentrations of H2S, COS, and CH3SSCH3 compared to all other treatment groups. Liq MHA had significantly lower concentrations of H2S, COS, CH3SH, and CH3SSCH3 compared to the other treatment groups. The dry MHA had the highest concentration of CH3SH. DL Methionine had the significantly highest concentration of CH3SSSCH3 and lowest concentration of H2S. The control group had the significantly lowest concentrations of CH3SH, CH3SSCH3, and CH3SSSCH3 than the other treatment groups. These findings demonstrate that methionine source significantly influences volatile sulfur compound concentrations in broiler excreta.