Vol. 6, Issue 1, Part A (2024)

Isoflavones such as genistein and daidzein are naturally occurring phytoestrogens widely present in soybean-based feed ingredients and are increasingly explored for their functional roles in poultry nutrition. Their documented antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and growth-modulating properties have encouraged controlled inclusion of isoflavone-enriched formulations in poultry diets. However, the potential transfer of these bioactive compounds from feed into edible poultry products, particularly meat and eggs, remains insufficiently characterized. Understanding feed-to-food transfer is essential for ensuring food safety, regulatory compliance, and accurate assessment of human dietary exposure. The present research proposal aims to evaluate the presence and magnitude of genistein and daidzein residues in chicken meat and eggs following dietary supplementation with defined isoflavone formulations. A simple, controlled feeding design is proposed using standard poultry rations supplemented with known concentrations of genistein-daidzein mixtures over a fixed feeding period. Samples of breast muscle, liver, and eggs will be collected at predetermined intervals and analyzed using validated chromatographic methods to quantify isoflavone residues. The research emphasizes practical feasibility, minimal intervention, and reproducibility, making it suitable for small-scale experimental settings. Outcomes from this proposed research are expected to clarify whether dietary isoflavones accumulate, are metabolized, or are excreted without significant deposition in edible tissues. The findings will contribute to risk assessment frameworks concerning phytoestrogen intake through animal-derived foods and support evidence-based recommendations for feed formulation. Additionally, the research may help delineate safe inclusion levels of isoflavones in poultry diets while preserving the nutritional and functional quality of meat and eggs. Overall, this proposal addresses an important knowledge gap at the interface of animal nutrition, food chemistry, and public health, offering a foundational approach for future residue-monitoring and functional feed research in poultry production systems.