Poultry

Exploring genetic biomarkers that boost poultry taste

Results from the study showed that SNPs found in the HNMT gene significantly increased carnosine levels in chickens. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Poultry meat is one of the most sought-after foods worldwide, valued not only for the nutrition it provides, but also for its palatability

Besides being popular for its protein, vitamin and mineral content, poultry meat also contains bioactive compounds, particularly carnosine and anserine that determine its palatability. Both these compounds contribute to the umami taste, known to be a key component of meat flavour, with their quantities primarily being influenced by genetics. Moreover, their levels tend to vary among breeds and are often used to determine meat quality.

Besides breed, the carnosine levels in meat tend to depend on a variety of other factors including muscle fibre type and whether the meat is raw or cooked. Meat from the breast and thigh muscles are usually found packed with carnosine, with concentrations being greater in Korean native chickens and Thai indigenous and hybrid native chickens.
On the other hand, anserine is generally found in the skeletal muscles of chickens, cattle and certain species of fish. Its levels are often higher in breast meat compared to thigh meat, given its function in buffering proton production in breast muscle. Moreover, similar to carnosine, the levels of this compound in meat can be determined by the type of meat and chicken line.

A recent study conducted at Chungnam National University aimed to explore the genetic and environmental factors that affect carnosine and anserine content in meat in Korean native chicken red brown line (KNC-R). Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were identified in the histamine-N-methyl transferase (HNMT) and histamine-N-methyl transferase-like (HNMT-like) genes and their association with the carnosine and anserine content was studied.

Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) methods were used to genotype one synonymous SNP (rs29009298C/T) of the HNMT gene. On the other hand, PCR allele competitive extension (PACE) genotyping technology was used to genotype four missense SNPs (rs734406537G/A; rs736514667A/G; rs15881680G/A and rs316765035T/C) of the HNMT gene, and one missense SNP rs737657949A/C of the HNMT-like gene.

Results from the study showed that SNPs found in the HNMT gene significantly increased carnosine levels in chickens. Moreover, breeding methods were also found to influence carnosine content to a great extent, with female chickens showing comparatively higher levels than males.

Two associations could be identified between the genotypes of the synonymous SNP: rs29009298C/T, missense SNP rs736514667A/G of the HNMT gene and the content of carnosine. Given its efficiency and precision, PACE technology was therefore regarded as a useful and reliable tool that could be used for the improvement of livestock systems.

Combatting respiratory infections in chickens

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Two species namely Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are pathogenic for chicken. (Image source: Adobe Stock)

Respiratory diseases in chickens are generally caused by a variety of bacteria belonging to the genus ‘Mycoplasma,’ that possess certain distinctive features that set them apart from typical bacteria

While a total of 20 Mycoplasma species have been isolated from avian hosts, according to the MSD Veterinary Manual, only four species are considered pathogenic in poultry. Out of these two particular species namely, Mycoplasma gallisepticum (MG) and Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) are pathogenic for chicken.

In broiler chickens, MG is a primary cause of chronic respiratory disease that can have detrimental impacts on both egg production and meat processing. The most notable impact includes a sharp drop in the number of eggs laid per hen over the production cycle. In case of large commercial operations, MG can cause increased condemnation in the processing plant. This means that a large number of carcasses may need to be discarded after being deemed unsafe for human consumption. Common symptoms of MG include coughing, sneezing and breathing difficulties, as well as the presence of nasal discharge and conjuctivitis with frothiness around the eyes. Severity may vary from mild to severe, with some cases occurring alongside E coli infections.

MS on the other hand, is transmitted through the egg and often causes subclinical infection of the upper respiratory tract. Infection rate is reported to be low, with some progeny even being free of infection. The infection affects layer flocks of various age groups, resulting in a decrease in egg production and significant abnormalities in egg shells. First signs of MS, also known as infectious synovitis include discolouration of head parts and difficulties in walking, mainly due to the occurrence of inflammation in their hocks and footpads. Morbidity of the disease is considered moderate, with the overall mortality rate ranging from 1-10%.

Controlling both MG and MS involves administering antibiotics. Treatment options for MG involves using tylosin or tetracyclines to reduce egg transmission. For MS, a live, temperature-sensitive vaccine (MS-H) is available in many countries.

Detecting metals in poultry production with Minebea Intec's Mitus

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Plukon has worked on minimising false rejections and ensuring the highest levels of metal detection by implementing Mitus from Minebea Intec. (Image source: Minebea Intec)

To address the challenge of metal detection in poultry production, Plukon, a leading player in the poultry supply chain, has implemented the metal detector Mitus from Minebea Intec

Metal detection is a critical aspect of food safety protocols, especially in environments where contamination risks are high. However, traditional metal detectors often struggle to accurately detect metallic foreign objects in poultry products due to their unique electromagnetic properties. This not only causes product wastage, but can also have a major impact on food safety.

To combat these challenges, Plukon has worked on minimising false rejections and ensuring the highest levels of metal detection by implementing Mitus from Minebea Intec. Equipped with MiWave technology, Mitus works by significantly improving detection accuracy and reducing false rejects. By detection even the smallest metallic contaminants with unparalleled accuracy, the technology helps in overcoming the limitations of traditional metal detectors.

Moreover, the new design eases frequent cleaning procedures, which are essential and rigorous in this environment. Mitus also ensures compliance with HACCP standards, providing peace of mind to both Plukon and their customers regarding the safety and quality of their poultry products.

"We’ve faced many challenges with false rejects over the past few years, so I’m really pleased to have these new metal detectors on our lanes," said maintenance manager, Jeroen V. "They not only save us time and reduce costs, but also allow my hardworking team to stay focused on what truly matters.”

Hubbard collaborates with Paragon to launch Hubbard Premium in Bangladesh

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Paragon commits to supply of high-quality Hubbard Premium PS day-old chicks to meet the growing demand for Premium birds in Bangladesh. (Image source: Hubbard))

Paragon Group successfully hosted the Hubbard Color Bird Launching Programme on 15th February at the Intercontinental in Dhaka, marking a significant advancement in the country’s poultry sector

Attended by industry leaders and experts, the event focused on the increasing demand of coloured chickens in Bangladesh and the benefits of the Hubbard Premium Colour breeds. Paragon commits to supply of high-quality Hubbard Premium PS day-old chicks to meet the growing demand for Premium birds in Bangladesh.

The event commenced with a welcome speech from Md Rafiqul Haque, CEO of Poultry Consultant & Development Service, followed by Olivier Rochard, managing director Hubbard, who elaborated on the company's global operations and its commitment to advancing poultry genetics. Bruno Briand, Hubbard global commercial director presented more details about the use of the Hubbard Premium breeds for various Premium Concepts, emphasising how the introduction of Hubbard Premium will enhance local farming efficiency.

A management session was led by Ehsanul Kabir Mosru, Hubbard senior technical manager and a closing remark was given by Moshiur Rahman, managing director of Paragon Group who provided an in-depth overview of his company and its vision for the future.

The first Hubbard Premium GP flock has been delivered from France to Dhaka in the middle of January. The day-old chicks arrived in particularly good condition and were handled with great success and care as part of Hubbard’s high standards of logistics and quality assurance. They are placed on a well isolated GP farm, meeting the highest biosecurity standards.

BAADER at VIV Asia 2025: Intelligent poultry processing to protect and add value

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During the show, visitors can attend live demonstrations and engage with BAADER's local network, global product managers, and processing experts. (Image source: BAADER)

As the global population grows, the need for more protein with fewer resources has never been greater

Following the motto 'Value Every Gram,' BAADER will showcase its latest solutions at VIV Asia 2025, emphasising the protection and maximisation of meat value throughout the processing cycle. Additionally, advanced software tools assist processors in planning production for each bird and ensuring every gram of meat is safeguarded and efficiently harvested.

“The future of poultry processing lies in intelligent tools, seamlessly integrated into equipment and performance monitoring systems. With advanced software solutions that not only capture data but also identify root causes, decision-making becomes faster and more precise. We're excited to showcase BAADER's latest innovations at VIV Asia this year,“ said Marcel Franz, managing director of BAADER Asia.

During the show, visitors can attend live demonstrations and engage with BAADER's local network, global product managers, and processing experts.

Cut-Up and Deboning

Real value-adding begins after distribution where product differentiation takes shape through specialised cuts, lean portions, and convenient food options tailored to diverse customer preferences.

AI-Based Rest Meat Detection

Controlling the amount of meat left on the carcass after deboning is critical. Every gram of meat not recovered from the fillet represents a missed profit opportunity. To address this, BAADER has developed a vision camera solution that monitors the meat left on the carcass after deboning and alerts the processor about excess waste production.

Refiner Technology

After minimising the meat left on the carcass, processors can further utilise any remaining meat by processing the carcasses with a BAADER Refiner. This gentle method of separating usable meat from hard components allows processors to repurpose the leftover meat into high-value products such as nuggets or sausages.

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