Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Methyl Salicylate on Performance, Blood Biochemistry, Intestinal Morphology, and Meat Quality of White-Feather Broilers

This study aimed to enhance meat quality and intestinal health of white-feathered broilers by utilizing methyl salicylate (MS), a fragrant plant-derived essential oil, for its anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antiplatelet properties. Specifically, we investigated the effects of dietary MS supplementation on the growth performance, carcass characteristics, intestinal morphology, and blood biochemistry and breast meat quality. A total of 270 one-day-old white-feather broilers were randomly assigned to three dietary treatments: a basal diet (CON), a basal diet supplemented with methyl salicylate at a low dosage of 0.25 g/kg (MSL), or at high dosage of 0.5 g/kg (MSH). Dietary MS treatment did not significantly affect the growth performance of broilers. However, dietary methyl salicylate supplementation significantly increased the blood levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), total cholesterol (Tchol), and total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) (P < 0.05). High-dose methyl salicylate supplementation also increased villus height in the jejunum (P < 0.05). Furthermore, methyl salicylate supplementation improved the a* value (redness) of breast muscle (P < 0.05). Additionally, the addition of methyl salicylate supplementation significantly retarded the increase in thiobarbituric acid (TBA) and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) levels in breast muscle (P < 0.05), potentially benefiting long-term meat preservation. Moreover, methyl salicylate increased the content of monounsaturated fatty acids in breast meat (P < 0.05). Consequently, our findings indicate that dietary supplementation with MS enhances meat quality and may extend the shelf life of white-feathered broilers by improving blood lipid parameters and modifying muscle fatty acid profiles.