The Fatty Acid and Mineral Composition of Cobb 500 Broiler Meat Influenced by the Nettle ( Urtica dioica ) Dietary Supplementation, Broiler Gender and Muscle Portion

The objective of the present trial was to evaluate the effects of nettle leaves ( Urtica dioica ) supplementation, broiler gender and muscle portion on meat fatty acid and mineral profiles. Prior to the trial, a total of 600 one-day-old Cobb 500 broiler chickens of both genders, equally, were randomly divided into three groups: a basal diet (control group) and a basal diet supplemented in the last two weeks of fattening with fresh nettle leaves (30 g/kg diet) or with oven dry nettle leaves (5 g/kg diet). After reaching 42 days of age, twenty birds per diet group were randomly selected (four birds per box, both genders equally) and slaughtered, and breasts and drumsticks were collected for analysis. The dry nettle supplementation increased the MUFA and lowered the PUFA, n-6 and n-6/n-3 ratio, mainly in female broilers ( p < 0.05). Drumsticks had higher MUFA and PUFA and lower SFA and n-6/n-3 ratio compared to breast meat ( p < 0.05). The addition of nettle to broiler diet increased Fe, Zn and Se and decreased Ca levels, mainly in drumsticks ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, drumstick meat had more elements with proven health benefits, such as Fe, Zn, Ca and Mn, than breast meat. This study suggests that feeding Cobb 500 broilers with the addition of nettle leaves can significantly change meat fatty acid and mineral composition, but this effect differed between gender and portion.