RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: This study hypothesizes that a natural multicomponent emulsifier (Lipidol) could improve production performance in broiler chickens by aiding lipid digestion and addressing digestive system limitations. OBJECTIVES: The study aimed to investigate the effects of dietary emulsifier inclusion on the growth performance, nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, faecal microbiology, blood biochemistry and liver enzyme activities of broiler chickens fed low-energy diets. METHODS: The experiment involved 144 one-day-old male broiler chickens split into 4 treatments. Four diets were used: standard metabolizable energy (ME) as a control diet and three low-ME diets, reducing by 100 kcal/kg by adding 0.5, 1 and 1.5 g/kg of exogenous emulsifier (Em). RESULTS: No significant differences were observed in body weight gain and feed intake. However, during the finisher period (25-42 days), supplementation emulsifier to low-ME diets notably improved feed efficiency. Although crude protein, organic matter and ash digestibility remained unaffected, dry matter (DM) digestibility significantly increased in broilers fed low-ME diets with emulsifier. Broilers receiving 0.5 g/kg of emulsifier showed the highest villus width and surface area values. Moreover, including 1.5 g/kg of emulsifier led to the highest villus height to crypt depth ratio. Faecal microbiota, blood biochemistry and liver enzyme activities showed no significant differences. CONCLUSIONS: Emulsifier supplementation compensated for the energy reduction and enhanced performance, DM digestibility and some intestinal morphology parameters in broiler chickens fed low-ME diet. Using 0.5 g/kg of emulsifier per 100 kcal of ME reduction in broiler diets is suggested.