Resistant starch from a tuberous root from the Andes cordillera improves metabolic and immune parameters in broilers

Resistant starch (RS) is a carbohydrate that exerts benefits on health. The present study aimed to research the effects of the Canna edulis Ker RS on metabolic and immune system indicators in broiler chickens. A total of 360 1- day-old male chicks were allotted to dietary treatments with 0% (RS0), 1% (RS1), and 2% (RS2) of RS inclusion. Chickens of RS1 and RS2 presented a lower rate of increase in serum glucose between the third and fifth week, with 50.9, 21.4, and 26.8% to RS0, RS1, and RS2, respectively. The higher serum cholesterol HDL was observed in broilers that consumed RS1 and RS2 diets at the fifth week of age (p < 0.05). The butyric acid levels of 16.59, 64.95, and 76.77 μmol/g were found in caecal content to RS0, RS1, and RS2, respectively (p < 0.01). The serum IgA levels were increased in broilers fed with the RS1 diet and decreased with the RS0 diet. The IgM was increased linearly as a function of age in the broilers RS1 and RS2. The subpopulation of T helper lymphocytes CD3⁺ CD4⁺ were increased in broilers fed with RS2 diet. The RS level that optimizes the humoral response was established as 1.07% and 1.56% for IgA and IgM, respectively (p < 0.05). The dietary inclusion of RS from C. edulis stimulated homeostasis of glucose and cholesterol with increase of HDL and caecal SCFA. Consequently, RS from C. edulis can be used as a nutraceutical additive in the broilers' diet.