CONCLUSION

The present study demonstrated that supplementation of a ternary emulsifier blend containing sorbitan esters, lysolecithin, and de-oiled lecithin can partially compensate for a 150 kcal/kg reduction in dietary ME in broiler diets, particularly during the early stages of growth. Emulsifier supplementation improved BW, FCR, and cFCR during the starter phase and increased BW during the grower phase, indicating enhanced nutrient utilization under reduced-energy conditions. Although overall performance from 1 to 35 days was not significantly affected, emulsifier-supplemented treatments maintained productive performance comparable to that of birds receiving the standard-energy diet. In addition, emulsifier supplementation reduced gastrointestinal retention time and numerically increased AME, suggesting potential improvements in energy utilization efficiency. Carcass yield also tended to improve in emulsifier-supplemented groups, whereas carcass component proportions and abdominal fat deposition remained unaffected.

A major strength of this study was the evaluation of a novel ternary emulsifier system combined with a phase-specific supplementation strategy designed to match the changing digestive capacity of broilers throughout production. The findings indicate that higher emulsifier inclusion during the starter and grower phases followed by a reduced inclusion level during the finisher phase may represent a practical feeding strategy for maintaining broiler performance while reducing dietary energy density. This approach may be particularly relevant in commercial poultry production systems where feed cost reduction and efficient nutrient utilization are important economic objectives.

Several limitations should be acknowledged. Measurements of fat-specific digestibility, ileal nutrient digestibility, intestinal morphology, digestive enzyme activity, and blood lipid profiles were not included, limiting mechanistic interpretation of the observed responses. In addition, the digestibility assessment involved a relatively limited number of experimental units, and the economic evaluation was restricted to FCG without comprehensive commercial-scale cost-benefit analysis.

Future research should investigate the effects of this emulsifier blend on lipid digestibility, gut morphology, digestive physiology, and metabolic responses under different dietary fat sources and environmental conditions. Comprehensive economic assessments and commercial-scale validation studies are also warranted to determine the practical value of phase-specific emulsifier supplementation programs.

Overall, the results suggest that a phase-specific emulsifier supplementation strategy using a ternary blend of sorbitan esters, lysolecithin, and de-oiled lecithin is a promising nutritional approach for supporting growth performance and nutrient utilization in broilers fed reduced-energy diets. Strategic application of emulsifiers during periods of greatest physiological demand may enhance feeding efficiency and contribute to more sustainable and cost-effective broiler production.