Effect of dietary supplementation with purslane seed oil on growth performance, blood lipid profile, fatty acid profile of breast and thigh meat, and expression of some lipid metabolism genes of the broiler chicks

Background Purslane seed oil (PSO) is a rich source of bioactive lipids with potential metabolic and health-promoting properties. Nanoemulsion-based delivery systems have recently gained attention for improving the bioavailability and biological efficacy of lipophilic compounds. However, the comparative effects of PSO and its nanoemulsion form (NPSO) on lipid metabolism, muscle fatty acid composition, and metabolic gene regulation in broiler chickens remain insufficiently characterized. Methods A 35-day feeding trial was conducted using 350 one-day-old broiler chicks randomly assigned to seven dietary treatments: a normal control (NC), PSO at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg diet, and NPSO at 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg diet. Growth performance, abdominal fat deposition, serum lipid profile, fatty acid composition of breast and thigh muscles, and the expression of lipid metabolism–related genes were evaluated. Results All PSO- and NPSO-supplemented groups showed significant improvements in final body weight, relative growth rate, and European Production Efficiency Factor compared with NC, without significant changes in abdominal fat percentage. Higher doses of PSO and NPSO significantly increased serum high-density lipoprotein cholesterol and decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol. High-dose PSO markedly modified muscle fatty acid profiles by increasing saturated and monounsaturated fatty acids, particularly oleic acid, while reducing polyunsaturated fatty acids, including n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. In breast muscle, PSO significantly upregulated fatty acid synthase (FAS), acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1c (SREBP-1c), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARα), fatty acid desaturase-1 (FADS1), acyl-CoA oxidase-1 (ACOX1), and carnitine palmitoyltransferase-1 (L-CPT1), whereas NPSO predominantly downregulated these genes. In thigh muscle, most lipogenic genes were downregulated, while PPAR expression was consistently stimulated by both PSO and NPSO. Conclusion PSO acts as a potent metabolic modulator of lipid synthesis and oxidation pathways, whereas NPSO exerts a regulatory nano-nutraceutical effect on lipid metabolism. These findings support the potential use of purslane seed oil, particularly in nanoemulsion form, as a functional lipid source for improving metabolic health and advancing precision poultry nutrition.