The color parameters (L*, a* and b*) of the broilers are shown in
Table 3. As compared with Group M0, the addition of B. subtilis
ANSB060 to the aflatoxin-contaminated diets (Group M500,
M1000 and M2000) significantly increased the a* value for breast
muscles (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the broilers in Group M0 had significantly
higher b* value for breast muscles, in comparison to those in
Group C0 (P < 0.05). Supplementation of 1000 g/t or 2000 g/t of B.
subtilis ANSB060 to the aflatoxin-contaminated diets (Groups
M1000 and M2000) lowered the b* value for breast muscles, reaching
a value similar to that of the positive control, Group C0
(P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the L* values
for breast and thigh muscles along with the values of a* and b*
for thigh muscles among all treatments (P > 0.05).
Data on the pH values of breast and thigh muscles are summarized
in Table 4. Diets containing aflatoxins or B. subtilis ANSB060
were comparable to those of Group C0 and did not affect the
pH(45min) and pH(24h) values of breast and thigh muscles. But supplementing
of aflatoxin-contaminated diets with B. subtilis
ANSB060 (Groups M500, M1000 and M2000) significantly improved
the pH(45min) values for thigh muscles (P < 0.05), in contrast