A note on the effect of pre-slaughter transport duration on nutrient composition and fatty acid profile of broiler breast meat

The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of pre-slaughter transport duration, as a stress factor, on nutrient and fatty acid composition of broiler breast meat. The study was conducted on 48 breast muscles obtained from Ross broilers slaughtered at the average weight of 1.8 or 2.6 kg, 36 and 46 days old, respectively. Transport duration was 1.5 or 3 h. Heavier broilers transported for longer duration had the higher protein content, while lighter broilers gave similar results. Lower moisture but higher lipid content was observed for the long transported broilers. Fatty acid composition was significantly influenced by body weight and transport duration: a lower content of PUFA was obtained for heavier broilers. Ratios of PUFA/SFA was lower in heavier broilers. A decrease in MUFA and a lower n-3/n-6 ratio was evidenced in the meat from broilers transported for longer duration.