The use of bioactive antioxidants in feed of broiler to mitigate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in biological systems is
one of promising nutritional strategies. The aim of present study was to alleviate ROS production in mitochondrial
fraction (MF) of meat by supplemented dietary antioxidant in feed of broiler. For this purpose, mitochondria specific
antioxidant: α-lipoic acid (25 mg, 75 mg and 150 mg) with or without combination of α-tocopherol acetate
(200 mg) used in normal and palm olein oxidized oil (4%) supplemented feed. One hundred and eighty one day
old broiler birds were randomly divided into six treatments and provided the mentioned feed from third week.
Feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR) remained statistically same in all groups while body weight decreased in
supplemented groups accordingly at the end of study. The broiler meat MF antioxidant potential was significantly
improved by feeding supplemented feed estimated as 1,1-di phenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging
activity, 2,2-azinobis-(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS+) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
(TBARS). The maximum antioxidant activity was depicted in group fed on 150 mg/kg α-lipoic acid (ALA) and
200 mg/kg α-tocopherol acetate (ATA) (T4) in both breast and leg MF. Moreover, TBARS were higher in leg as
compared to breast MF. Although, oxidized oil containing feed reduced the growth, lipid stability and antioxidant
potential of MF whilst these traits were improved by receiving feed containing ALA and ATA. ALA and ATA showed
higher deposition in T4 group while least in group received oxidized oil containing feed (T5). Positive correlation
exists between DPPH free radical scavenging activity and the ABTS + reducing activity. In conclusion, ALA and ATA
supplementation in feed had positive effect on antioxidant status of MF that consequently diminished the oxidative
stress in polyunsaturated fatty acid enriched meat.