The 1H NMR-Metabolomics of Hepatic and Muscle Tissues in Two Slow-Growing Broiler Strains Fed Spirulina (Limnospira platensis)

Sustainable poultry production requires novel feedstuffs, such as spirulina, a protein- and bioactive-rich alternative. This study evaluated the impact of 15% spirulina dietary inclusion on the hepatic and muscle metabolomes of two slow-growing broiler strains: fully feathered and naked neck. In total, 40 male broilers were individually housed and fed either a control or a spirulina diet for 84 days. Liver and breast muscle samples were analyzed by using proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multivariate statistical analyses. While principal component analysis indicated a high similarity among groups, partial least-squares identified metabolic differences, particularly in the liver, with phenylalanine, glucose/glucose-6-phosphate, and sarcosine contributing to group separation. In the breast muscle, differences were associated with glucose/glucose-6-phosphate, β-alanine, and alanine. Despite minimal overall metabolic differences, the findings suggest spirulina as a viable option for inclusion in poultry diets, warranting further research to explore its full potential in poultry nutrition.