PhD in Veterinary Sciences for Animal Health and Food Safety

Contacts

Supervisor

Dominga Soglia

Curriculum vitae

Curriculum Vitae

Phd thesis

“Near-Infrared Spectroscopy and Genetics approaches to predict meat quality and improve production performance in local Piedmontese chicken breeds "

 

• Scientific background/state of the art

Bionda Piemontese and Bianca di Saluzzo are autochthonous chicken breeds reared in Piemonte region. They are considered a dual purpose breeds, but at present, are mainly reared for meat productions (Fiorilla et al., 2023). Their commercial size is approximately 1.8 kg for roosters, while 1.3 kg for hens, and the slaughtering is performed at about 5 months of age (Bongiorno et al., 2022). Due to their relatively slow growth rate, these breeds are considered as slow-growing chicken (Soglia et al., 2020). For this reason, the productivity traits of these local breedas are critical. However, local poultry productions are appreciated for their superior quality, thanks both to the typical nature of the breeds and to the extensive farming system which together improve animal welfare and meat quality (Marchewka et al., 2023). Therefore, local breeds represent a high value for poultry meat production benefits (Afrin et al., 2024). However, this high quality combined with slow growth performance, results in higher production costs, making the meat less accessible to all consumers. Over the years, this has resulted in a growing preference for commercial poultry, leading to the progressive abandonment of local breeds. This widespread use of commercial hybrids has significantly contributed to the loss of biodiversity. The utilization of local chicken breeds for meat production, requires balancing economic growth with the preservation of genetic biodiversity. Breeds like Bionda Piemontese and Bianca di Saluzzo play a crucial dual role in supporting local agricultural system while contributing to biodiversity conservation.

The study of the genetic polymorphisms and their correlation with productive traits is essential to improve performance while preserving biodiversity in local breeds. Investigation of polymorphism in candidate genes linked to growth performance allows researchers to identify specific alleles associated with favorable traits, such as increased body weight, feed efficiency, or meat quality. These genetic markers can then be used in selection programs to enhance productivity in local poultry breeds without compromising their unique genetic heritage and adaptability to specific environments.

In recent years, increasing attention has also been given to qualitative traits. Meat quality is a broad concept which involves the evaluation of different traits such as meat color, pH level, drip loss, intramuscular fat and its nutritional properties which include protein, ether extract and moisture contents (Baéza et al., 2022; Xiao et al., 2024). The traditional methods used for this determination have the disadvantage of being destructing, labor-intensive, time-consuming, costly, thus making them not suitable for local poultry commerce (Barbin et al., 2015). This has led to increased interest in near infrared (NIR) spectroscopy, which offers a more efficient alternative.

The integration of NIR pectroscopy with genetic studies offers a promising approach for the valorization of local chicken breed, both in term of meat quality and production performance.

• Aims

The aim of this study is to investigate the genetic polymorphisms associated with productive and qualitative traits in local chicken breeds, with a focus on Pidmontese chicken breeds. By combining molecular analysis with advanced phenotyping techniques such as Near-Infrared Spectroscopy, the study seeks to enhance the valorization of these breeds in terms of meat quality and production performance. Ultimately, the goal is to support sustainable breeding strategies that improve productivity while preserving genetic diversity and promoting local poultry production systems.

• Materials and methods

Genetic analysis 

Plucked feathers are a non-invasive biological sample suitable for genetic analysis in birds: inside the calamus base are deposit of blood and living cells. Feathers were collected during molting at the end of summer. DNA was extracted from feathers using a commercial extraction kit and was assessed for its quality. Genetic polymorphisms were evaluated in candidate genes linked to growth performance and quality traits. Both SNPs and Indel polymorphisms were evaluated. SNPs were evaluated using a NGS approach, while Indels were analyzed through capillary electrophoresis.

In addittion, a whole transcriptome study was conducted on feathers samples to investigate additional candidate genes potentially associated with metabolic pathways linked to growth performances or other significant functions. Total RNA was extracted and sent to Azenta Life Science for sequencing. The candidate genes identified thorough this transcriptomic approach, will then be analyzed using NGS (Miseq platform) to test the association of genetic polymorphisms with carcass parameters and meat quality traits. 

Meat Quality 

Meat quality is typically assessed based on its physical and chemical properties. Physical properties include color, tenderness, water-holding capacity, and pH, while chemical parameters involve moisture, protein and fat content. Meat color is evaluatedusing the L*, a*, b* color space, where L* represents perceptual lightness, a* and b* denote the color dimensions. Tenderness is measured by the shear force, and water-holding capacity is assessed using the “weep or purge” method, as described by Warner (2014). Standard laboratory techniques are employed to measure chemical parameteres (Dabbou et al., 2019).

NIR analysis 

Each breast and thigh samples were analysed using two spectrosopic devices: a laboratory-grade NIRSystems 5000 spectrophotometer (Agilent), and a handheld SCiO device (Consumer Physics), in order to predict meat quality parameters. The two instruments differ in their wavelengh range, with the laboratory device covering a broader spectral range compared to the handheld instrument. The laboratory spectrometer was mainly used to predict proximate composition parameters such crude protein, ether extract, ashes, and moisture content. In contrast, SCiO was used directly at the slaughterhouse to evaluate its ability in differentiating between breeds, with the potential application in the detection of food fraud.

Depending on the above-mentioned variables, dedicated statistical and bioinformatics tools will be applied to highlight possible significant differences.

References

• Afrin A., Ahmed T., Lahiry A., Rahman S., Dey B., Hashem A., and Das S. C. "Profitability and meat quality of fast-, medium- and slow-growing meat-type chicken genotypes as affected by growth and length of rearing" (2024). Saudi J. Biol. Sci. 31(8):104025.
• Baéza E., Guiller L., and Petracci M. "Review: Production factors affecting poultry carcass and meat quality attributes" (2022). Animals 16(1):100331. 
• Barbin D. F., Kaminishikawahara C. M., Soares A. L., Mizubuti I. Y., Grespan M., Shimokomaki M., and Hirooka E. Y. "Prediction of chicken quality attributes by near infrared spectroscopy" (2015). Food Chemistry 168:554-560.
• Bongiorno V., Schiavone A., Renna E., Sartore S., Soglia D., Sacchi P., Gariglio M.,  Castillo A., Mugnai C., Forte C., Bianchi C., and Mioletti S. "Carcass Yields and Meat Composition of Male and Female Italian Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds: Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese" (2022). Animals 13(3):406. 
• Dabbou S., Gasco L., Lussiana C., Brugiapaglia A., Biasato I., Renna M., Cavallarin L., Gai F., and Schiavone A. “Yellow mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.) larvae inclusion in diets for free-range chickens: effect on meat quality and fatty acid profile” (2019). Renewable Agriculture and food System 35(5).
• Fiorilla E., Birolo M., Ala U., Xiccato G., Trocino A., Schiavone A., and Mugnai C. "Productive Performances of Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds and Their Crosses with a Commercial Strain in Conventional and Free-Range Farming Systems" (2023). Animals 13:2540.
• Marchewka J., Sztandarski P., Solka M., Louton H., Rath K., Vogt L., Rauch E., Ruijter D., Jong I. C., and Horbanczuk O. "Linking key husbandry factors to the intrinsic quality of broiler meat" (2023). Poult. Sci. 102:102384.
• Soglia D., Sartore S., Maione S., Schiavone A., Dabbou S., Nery J., Zaniboni L., Marelli S., Sacchi P., Rasero R. “Growth Performance Analysis of Two Italian Slow-Growing Chicken Breeds: Bianca di Saluzzo and Bionda Piemontese” (2020). Animals: 10(6), 969.
• Warner R.D. “Measuremments of Water-holding capacity and color: objective and subjective” (2014). Encyclopedia of Meat Sciences 2e
• Xiao L., Qi, L., Fu R., Nie Q., Zhang X., and Luo W. "A large-scale comparison of the meat quality characteristics of different chicken breeds in South China" (2024). Poultry Science 103(6):103740.

Research activities

Co supervisor

Achille Schiavone, Federica Raspa

Abstract

• EAAP, European Federation of Animal Science (01-05/09/2024); Firenze, Italy: 

“Feather’s transcriptome analysis in local chickens fed two different diets: a possible marker to study lipid metabolism". N. Stoppani, F. Raspa, E. Fiorilla, S. Maione, C. Mugnai, A. Schiavone, D. Soglia.

“Potential use of a pocket near-infrared spectroscopy device to directly discriminate local chicken meat". N. Stoppani, C.L. Manuelian, S. Sciuto, E.E. Cappone, M. Gariglio, P.L. Acutis, A. Schiavone, D. Soglia.

• European Poultry Conference (EPC) (24-28/06/24); Valencia, Spain:

“Effect of a high-energ diet on liver stress and lipid metabolisms, meat and carcass traits in a slow-growing chicken breed”. Stoppani, F. Raspa, E. Fiorilla, C. Mugnai, V. Zambotto, S. Nurisso, A. Schiavone, D. Soglia.

“Recovering Italian poultry treasures: reviving the Millefiori Piemontese breed”. E.E. Cappone, V. Bongiorno, E. Fiorilla, N. Stoppani, F. Gai, V. Zambotto, D. Soglia, M. Gariglio, A. Schiavone.

• IEE-MeAVeAS (22-24/04/2024); Torino, Italy:

“First application of near-infrared spectroscopy to classify Bionda Piemontese chicken meat". Stoppani, E. Albanell, V.Zambotto, D. Soglia, C. Mugnai, A. Schiavone, C.L. Manuelian.

“Measuring ethological parameters and their correlation with corticosterone levels in three slow-growing Piedmontese chicken breeds”. E.E. Cappone, V. Bongiorno, E. Fiorilla, M. Gariglio, E. Macchi, I. Manenti, N. Stoppani, D. Soglia, A. Schaivone.

• Game of Research (16/12/2023); Veterinary Medicin, University of Turin:

“Preliminary near-infreared spectroscopy analysis to predict chicken meat quality". N. Stoppani, S. Sciuto, C.L. Manuelian, E.E. Cappone, M. Gariglio, P.L. Acutis, A. Sciavone and D. Soglia

• ASPA 25th Congress (13-16/06/2023); Monopoli, Italy:

“Evaluation of the effect of the breeding system on the expression of liver genes in local slow-growing chicken breeds”. F. Raspa, N. Stoppani, D. Soglia, F. Perini, E. Fiorilla, M. Profiti, S. Maione, A. Schiavone, P. Sacchi, E. Lasagna and C. Mugnai.

“Effect of bakery by-products inclusion in the broiler’s diet on growth performance, carcass yeld and gene expression profiling". K. Srikanthithasan, M. Gariglio, E. Fiorilla, A. Giorgino, L. Dellepiane, E. Diaz Cuna, D. Sola, V. Bongiorno, S. Bergagna, A. Schiavone, F. Raspa, M. Profiti, N. Stoppani, D. Soglia and C. Forte.

“Multiplex Digital Expression Gene Analysis (MuDEGA) of 11 liver poultry genes whit NGS approach”. F. Raspa, N. Stoppani, F. Perini, E. Fiorilla, M. Profiti, S. Maione, A. Schiavone, P. Sacchi, E. Lasagna, C. Mugnai and D. Soglia.

• Game of Research (15/12/2022); Veterinary Medicin, University of Turin:

“Study of productive and reproductive genetic marker in local chicken breed: DNA polymorphisms and RNA expression molecular analysis”. N.Stoppani and D. Soglia.

Personal Training

Statistical Analysis

Descriptive statistical analysis.

Wilcoxon test, Kruskal-Wallis, test chi-square, t-test.

Study of the structure of variance, covariance and correlation matrices.

Principal Component Analysis (PCA), Cluster analysis, Partial Least Square Regression (PLSR) and Disciminant Analysis.

Honors and Awards

• 75^th EAAP Annual Meeting (1^st-5^th September 2024, Firenze)

Winner of the EAAP Scholarship: “Feather’s transcriptome analysis in local chickens fed with two different diets: a possible marker to study lipid metabolism”

• XVI European Poultry Conference (24^th- 28^th June 2024, Valencia)

Winner of the Youth Program: “Effect of a high-energy diet on liver stress and lipid metabolisms, meat and carcass traits in a slow-growing chicken breed”

• Game of Research (16^th December 2023, Torino)

1^st BEST ORAL PRESENTATION: “Preliminary Near-Infrared Spectroscopy analysis to predict chicken meat quality”

• Game of Research (15^th December 2022, Torino)

2^nd BEST POSTER: “Study of productive and reproductive genetic marker in local chicken breed: DNA polymorphisms and RNA expression molecular analysis

Publications

All of my research products