**1. Introduction**

Intensive poultry farming technologies have created the prerequisites for providing the population with dietary meat and high-grade protein. Poultry products have become in demand and, at the same time, they are a source of microbiological, physical and chemical risks. Regular consumption of poultry meat rearing using intensive technologies is the risk of a number of negative effects on human health, including antibiotic resistance of the body. Such factors negate the health benefits of such meat, especially when it is used in medical dietary or baby food.

In this regard, an important task of science and practice is the search for new ways to eliminate the toxic load on agricultural poultry, through the use of environmentally friendly biologically active substances in its diet, which have a stimulating effect on nonspecific factors of the body's natural resistance and increase productivity.

A promising direction in poultry feeding is the use of natural biological compounds - humic acids and their salts - humates, which, after interaction with a living cell, contribute to the output of released energy not on the elimination of adverse environmental influences, but on growth and reproduction, which leads to an increase in the competitiveness of an organism.

The purpose of the work was to study the effect of the liquid water-soluble feed additive of complex action "Reasil®HumicHealth" (produced by LLC "Life Force" on the basis of a concentrated solution of high-molecular sodium salts of humic acids from Leonardite) on the vital indicators of the state of the body of broilers during rearing, their slaughter and meat qualities, dynamics of morpho-biochemical and immunological parameters of blood and micromorphometric characteristics of the organs of the immune system of poultry, as well as on organoleptic indicators and the yield of culinary products from poultry meat.

### **2. Medical and biological, chemical and functional properties of preparations of humic acids**

Humic acids (from Latin humus - earth, soil) were isolated from peat. They have been the object of scientific research by scientists from different countries for over 200 years. Currently, natural substances that are at different stages of humification, located in different parts of the biosphere, have become the sources of obtaining humic preparations. These are compost, peat, brown coal, and sapropel. In this connection, the term "humic substances" is associated with substances of natural origin. It is believed that the formation of humic substances or humification is one of the largest processes of organic matter transformation. Some of the dead remains are mineralized to CO2 and H2O, the rest turns into humic substances [1].

Humic acid is a long chain of molecules that, in complex combination with fulvic acid, form a bioavailable complex for the healing of a living organism. Its value is due to the presence of more than 70 different components of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, natural polysaccharides, sterols, hormones, fatty acids, plant pigments, natural antioxidants, etc. Such a concentration of biologically active substances determines the variety of positive effects of humic acids on living organisms [2].

Tests of preparations of humic acids revealed that they do not exhibit carcinogenic, allergenic and anaphylactogenic properties. Humic preparations are not teratogenic, that is, they do not disrupt embryonic development, and do not cause morphological anomalies and malformations in animals. These preparations are not embryotoxic - their use does not provoke intrauterine death, a decrease in the weight and size of the embryo. This allows one to classify them as harmless to animals and humans, which provides significant advantages over classical preparations. Due to this fact, it is possible to produce environmentally friendly natural feed additives on their basis, as well as veterinary preparations for poultry, farm animals, fish and pets.

Using radioisotope labeling, it was proved that animal products do not contain residues of humic acids, which means that they are not absorbed into the blood and lymph, but have therapeutic effect in the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal walls. The healing and prophylactic properties of humic acids are based on their ability to envelop the intestinal mucosa of animals and to reduce or completely prevent the absorption of toxic metabolic products after infection, as well as when feeding poor

**81**

huminates [8].

*Role of Humic Substances in Formation of Safety and Quality of Poultry Meat*

quality feed. Humic acids are simply mixed into the feed, they are tolerated and do

Scientists have accumulated extensive material on the effect of preparations with humic acids on animals' immune status. Humic acidsstimulate the body's immune system to defend against foreign influences. Under the influence of humic acids, the phagocytic function of leukocytes is enhanced, the body's defenses are additionally stimulated, and this reduces mortality and improves the safety of

Humic acids supply micronutrients, enriching the immune system, which enables

The antiviral action of humic acids is considered to be the most effective in the therapy of animals, since the immunomodulatory effect of the preparation plays an important role in recovery. R. Laub (2000) found out that polyphenolic compositions based on humic substances have antimutagenic and antiviral effects.

The high biological activity of preparations with humic acids is also manifested in relation to fungal diseases. In particular, they have a fungicidal effect on *Candida* 

The varied composition of organic acids in humic acid preparations helps to break down food particles in addition to the action of enzymes, thereby having a positive effect on digestibility and feed conversion. This leads to an increase in

A large body of researchshows the absolute safety of humic acids for animals, humans and the environment. Their positive therapeutic effect on almost all types of animals has been proven. The introduction of humic acids into the diet of animals and poultry leads to the activation of their vitality, rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions, acceleration of feed fermentation due to the development of beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and to growth-stimulating and

Back in 1991, T.D. Lotosh noted that preparations based on humic acids can be used in medicine and veterinary medicine as a nonspecific preparations that increases the body's resistance to various adverse factors. The first medical preparation based on humic acids registered in Russia was "Gumisol" - a 0.01% solution of

The strengthening of the immune system is evidenced by the fact that humates, forcing the immune system to recognize its own dead cells, thereby reduce the level of infection [4]. The reconstitution of the body's immunity is facilitated by the additional transfer of iodine from foods to the thyroid glands under the influence of

Humic acids in medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry are considered to be means of increasing the body's resistance to the action of various unfavorable factors. The adaptogenic effect of humates is manifested at the cellular level. In particular, there is a stabilization of the values of the mitotic index, a decrease in abnormal figures of mitosis, an increase in the DNA content to the control level [9]. In Poland, a natural immunomodulator is produced. It consists of

*albicans* inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans.

animals to resist disease effectively. In addition, they inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and molds, reduce mycotoxin levels, and improve protein digestion and the absorption of calcium, trace elements and nutrients. The result is high

In the treatment of intestinal diseases, there is a decrease in pathological impulses from the peripheral nerve endings of the intestine, as well as the restoration of normal peristalsis and tone. Under the influence of humic acids, intestinal immunity is restored in animals exposed to stress, and under a slight tanning effect, the intestinal mucosa thickens, its permeability and excessive secretion of tissue fluid into the intestinal lumen decrease. Thus, dehydration of the body is prevented [2].

*DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96595*

fatness, as well as immunity to disease [4].

productivity and in livestock production [5].

humic acids in isotonic sodium chloride solution [7].

immunomodulatory effects [6].

young animals [3].

not have any side effects on the animal organism.

#### *Role of Humic Substances in Formation of Safety and Quality of Poultry Meat DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5772/intechopen.96595*

quality feed. Humic acids are simply mixed into the feed, they are tolerated and do not have any side effects on the animal organism.

In the treatment of intestinal diseases, there is a decrease in pathological impulses from the peripheral nerve endings of the intestine, as well as the restoration of normal peristalsis and tone. Under the influence of humic acids, intestinal immunity is restored in animals exposed to stress, and under a slight tanning effect, the intestinal mucosa thickens, its permeability and excessive secretion of tissue fluid into the intestinal lumen decrease. Thus, dehydration of the body is prevented [2].

Scientists have accumulated extensive material on the effect of preparations with humic acids on animals' immune status. Humic acidsstimulate the body's immune system to defend against foreign influences. Under the influence of humic acids, the phagocytic function of leukocytes is enhanced, the body's defenses are additionally stimulated, and this reduces mortality and improves the safety of young animals [3].

Humic acids supply micronutrients, enriching the immune system, which enables animals to resist disease effectively. In addition, they inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and molds, reduce mycotoxin levels, and improve protein digestion and the absorption of calcium, trace elements and nutrients. The result is high fatness, as well as immunity to disease [4].

The antiviral action of humic acids is considered to be the most effective in the therapy of animals, since the immunomodulatory effect of the preparation plays an important role in recovery. R. Laub (2000) found out that polyphenolic compositions based on humic substances have antimutagenic and antiviral effects.

The high biological activity of preparations with humic acids is also manifested in relation to fungal diseases. In particular, they have a fungicidal effect on *Candida albicans* inhabiting the gastrointestinal tract of animals and humans.

The varied composition of organic acids in humic acid preparations helps to break down food particles in addition to the action of enzymes, thereby having a positive effect on digestibility and feed conversion. This leads to an increase in productivity and in livestock production [5].

A large body of researchshows the absolute safety of humic acids for animals, humans and the environment. Their positive therapeutic effect on almost all types of animals has been proven. The introduction of humic acids into the diet of animals and poultry leads to the activation of their vitality, rapid adaptation to changing environmental conditions, acceleration of feed fermentation due to the development of beneficial microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and to growth-stimulating and immunomodulatory effects [6].

Back in 1991, T.D. Lotosh noted that preparations based on humic acids can be used in medicine and veterinary medicine as a nonspecific preparations that increases the body's resistance to various adverse factors. The first medical preparation based on humic acids registered in Russia was "Gumisol" - a 0.01% solution of humic acids in isotonic sodium chloride solution [7].

The strengthening of the immune system is evidenced by the fact that humates, forcing the immune system to recognize its own dead cells, thereby reduce the level of infection [4]. The reconstitution of the body's immunity is facilitated by the additional transfer of iodine from foods to the thyroid glands under the influence of huminates [8].

Humic acids in medicine, veterinary medicine, and animal husbandry are considered to be means of increasing the body's resistance to the action of various unfavorable factors. The adaptogenic effect of humates is manifested at the cellular level. In particular, there is a stabilization of the values of the mitotic index, a decrease in abnormal figures of mitosis, an increase in the DNA content to the control level [9]. In Poland, a natural immunomodulator is produced. It consists of

*Humic Substances*

In this regard, an important task of science and practice is the search for new ways to eliminate the toxic load on agricultural poultry, through the use of environmentally friendly biologically active substances in its diet, which have a stimulating effect on nonspecific factors of the body's natural resistance and increase productivity. A promising direction in poultry feeding is the use of natural biological compounds - humic acids and their salts - humates, which, after interaction with a living cell, contribute to the output of released energy not on the elimination of adverse environmental influences, but on growth and reproduction, which leads

The purpose of the work was to study the effect of the liquid water-soluble feed additive of complex action "Reasil®HumicHealth" (produced by LLC "Life Force" on the basis of a concentrated solution of high-molecular sodium salts of humic acids from Leonardite) on the vital indicators of the state of the body of broilers during rearing, their slaughter and meat qualities, dynamics of morpho-biochemical and immunological parameters of blood and micromorphometric characteristics of the organs of the immune system of poultry, as well as on organoleptic indicators

Humic acids (from Latin humus - earth, soil) were isolated from peat. They have been the object of scientific research by scientists from different countries for over 200 years. Currently, natural substances that are at different stages of humification, located in different parts of the biosphere, have become the sources of obtaining humic preparations. These are compost, peat, brown coal, and sapropel. In this connection, the term "humic substances" is associated with substances of natural origin. It is believed that the formation of humic substances or humification is one of the largest processes of organic matter transformation. Some of the dead remains

**2. Medical and biological, chemical and functional properties of** 

are mineralized to CO2 and H2O, the rest turns into humic substances [1].

Humic acid is a long chain of molecules that, in complex combination with fulvic acid, form a bioavailable complex for the healing of a living organism. Its value is due to the presence of more than 70 different components of minerals, amino acids, vitamins, natural polysaccharides, sterols, hormones, fatty acids, plant pigments, natural antioxidants, etc. Such a concentration of biologically active substances determines the variety of positive effects of humic acids on living

Tests of preparations of humic acids revealed that they do not exhibit carcinogenic, allergenic and anaphylactogenic properties. Humic preparations are not teratogenic, that is, they do not disrupt embryonic development, and do not cause morphological anomalies and malformations in animals. These preparations are not embryotoxic - their use does not provoke intrauterine death, a decrease in the weight and size of the embryo. This allows one to classify them as harmless to animals and humans, which provides significant advantages over classical preparations. Due to this fact, it is possible to produce environmentally friendly natural feed additives on their basis, as well as veterinary preparations for poultry, farm animals, fish and pets. Using radioisotope labeling, it was proved that animal products do not contain residues of humic acids, which means that they are not absorbed into the blood and lymph, but have therapeutic effect in the gastrointestinal tract and intestinal walls. The healing and prophylactic properties of humic acids are based on their ability to envelop the intestinal mucosa of animals and to reduce or completely prevent the absorption of toxic metabolic products after infection, as well as when feeding poor

to an increase in the competitiveness of an organism.

and the yield of culinary products from poultry meat.

**preparations of humic acids**

**80**

organisms [2].

many components, including humic acids, which has an interferonogenic effect and is an inducer of tumor necrosis factor [10].

Scientific research allows one to conclude about the antiviral activity of preparations based on humic substances. Humic acids prevent viral replication by acting on the viral protein and block the absorption of viral particles on the cell surface. It is believed that molecules of humic acids encasethe virus in a kind of shell, block its entry into the cell and prevent replication. The antiviral effect of humic acids is more pronounced than the antibacterial, since have immunomodulatory effect on the host organism. The antiviral properties of humic acids are manifested against influenza A and B viruses, Coxsackie A9 virus, herpes, rhinoviruses, ARVI and even against human immunodeficiency virus [11–15].
