Carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.) improve growth performance, antioxidant status and caecal characteristics in growing rabbits

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate carob pods and their effect on growth performance, antioxidant activities, carcass and caecal characteristics and equilibrium modification of the caecal microbiota population of growing NZW rabbits. Eighty weaned rabbits (initial body weight: 625.00 ± 26.46 g) were randomly allocated into four dietary groups of 20 rabbits each until 90 days of age. Dietary groups were as follows: C (basal diet with no supplementation), CP1 (basal diet + 2.5% carob pods), CP2 (basal diet + 5% carob pods) and CP3 (basal diet + 10% carob pods). Rabbits given the CP2 diet had significantly higher daily and final body weights compared with the other experimental groups. The increase in inclusion rate of carob pods significantly decreased feed intake, whereas carob pods at 5% in the CP2 group recorded the best value of feed conversion ratio. Rabbits in the CP3 group showed the worst slaughter weight and carcass dressing percentage weight. No significant effect was found on meat protein and ash contents. Cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, high-density lipoprotein and triglycerides decreased significantly (p < 0.05) in rabbits treated with carob pods compared with the control. Because of high content of the antioxidant compounds in CP2 and CP3 groups, the activities of glutathione peroxidase, glutathione S-transferase, catalase and superoxide dismutase increased, whereas the concentration of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance decreased significantly. Rabbits given the CP2 diet had a significantly higher volatile fatty acid concentration and a lower pH in content of the caecum compared to the other groups. The data of microbial analysis for C group showed a significant increase in Escherichia coli and Clostridium counts. Lactobacillus and Bacillus counts increased significantly more in the CP2 and CP3 groups than in the other groups. In conclusion, 5% of carob pods in the diet stimulated the performance of growing rabbits, and thus, it has potential as an unconventional feed resource for rabbits without any adverse effects.

Productive response of creole lambs fed integral diets with Samanea saman (Jacq.) Merr. pods

“…Velázquez et al (2011) used diets with 40% of Acacia farnesiana and reported a DMI 53.9% lower than the one observed in this study. These variations in DMI could be attributed to the type of forage included in the diets, the physiologic age, and the breeds used in each experiment (Abu-Hafsa et al, 2017). Peralta et al (2004) reported a DWG of 160 g d 1 in lambs fed a diet with 20% of Enterolobium cyclocarpum, similar to the DWG observed in this study with the diet including 25% of S. saman pods.…”

Effect of dietary carob (Ceratonia siliqua) syrup on blood parameters, gene expression responses and ammonia resistance in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

“…Carob, which can be used as an additive to fish diets, has antimicrobial, antiseptic, antitoxic, antiviral, glucose‐reducing, fat‐reducing, cholesterol‐lowering and especially digestion‐enhancing properties (Yilmaz, Ergün, & Çelik, ). Previous studies investigated the use of carob in animal diets (Abu Hafsa, Ibrahim, & Hassan, ; Klemm, Stober, & Lazorchak, ; Obeidat et al, ; Yilmaz et al, ). The use of blood parameters, oxidative stress parameters and gene expression are emphasized in aquaculture to prevent diseases and assess health status (Cecchini et al, ; Fazio, ; Hoseinifar, Dadar, Khalili, Cerezuela, & Esteban, ).…”

“…Previous studies investigated the use of carob in animal diets (Abu Hafsa, Ibrahim, & Hassan, 2017;Klemm, Stober, & Lazorchak, 1993;Obeidat et al, 2011;. The use of blood parameters, oxidative stress parameters and gene expression are emphasized in aquaculture to prevent diseases and assess health status (Cecchini et al, 2016;Fazio, 2019;Hoseinifar, Dadar, Khalili, Cerezuela, & Esteban, 2017a).…”

Carcass Traits and Meat Quality of Rabbits Fed Regimens Containing Carob Pods and Reared Under Tunisian Summer Conditions

“…Our findings showed that carob decreased hot and commercial carcass (p<0.05), however both carcass yields were similar. Abu Hafsa et al (2017) detected that 10% of feed inclusion of carob decreased the slaughter weight and carcass dressing percentage weight. Empty stomach and colon and liver proportions were higher in carob rabbits.…”