Effect of Gardenia Pomace Supplementation on Growth Performance, Blood Metabolites, Immune and Antioxidant Indices, and Meat Quality in Xiangcun Pigs

Abstract

To investigate the effect of gardenia pomace (GP) as an unconventional feed of antioxidants, 180 Xiangcun pigs were randomly divided into 3 groups during the finishing period, with 6 replicates per group and 10 pigs per replicate. During the 47-day feeding period, the pigs were fed either a control diet based on corn and soybean meal (control group), or the control diet added with 50 g/kg or 100 g/kg GP (groups GP5 and GP10, respectively). Feed and water were provided ad libitum. One pig per replicate was slaughtered and sampled. The effects on growth performance, meat quality, digestibility, metabolism, and immunity and antioxidant properties of the pigs were investigated. The results showed that GP had no significant effect on the growth performance of Xiangcun pigs. Compared with the control group, the digestibility of crude ash, phosphorus, and crude fibre of pigs in the GP groups improved (p < 0.01), and the content of inosinic acid in the longissimus dorsi muscle increased (p < 0.05). The addition of GP to the diet significantly increased superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the liver and spleen, and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity in the longissimus dorsi muscle and spleen (p < 0.05). Additionally, it significantly reduced the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) in the liver and spleen (p < 0.05). The GP5 group had a higher inosinic acid content in the longissimus dorsi and lower levels of the inflammatory factor interleukin-2 and interleukin-8 than those in the other groups (p < 0.05). The GP10 group had a higher IgA level (p < 0.05). Adding different proportions of GP to the diet improved the a* and b* of the longissimus dorsi muscles of Xiangcun pigs (p < 0.05). In summary, GP, as an unconventional feed, improved the apparent digestibility of the diet and body antioxidant capacity in Xiangcun pigs during the finishing period and did not negatively affect the growth performance or meat quality.

Productive Performance, Physiological Variables, and Carcass Quality of Finishing Pigs Supplemented with Ferulic Acid and Grape Pomace Subjected to Heat Stress Conditions

“…In this sense, previous studies have shown that the use of non-conventional feed sources rich in PCs can positively modify some hematological and biochemical parameters in monogastric under stressful situations [22,61]. Therefore, blood metabolites have been considered as indicators of nutritional metabolism and health of animals [62]. In the present study, the values obtained to hormonal levels, hematological and biochemical parameters were within the reference ranges reported for the species and its stage [63].…”

The Effects of Unconventional Feed Fermentation on Intestinal Oxidative Stress in Animals

“…The antioxidant application of unconventional fermented feed in animal production is a key measure. This type of feed protects animal cells from oxidative damage by providing a rich source of antioxidants [ 61 ] such as vitamin C, vitamin E, and polyphenolic compounds that effectively inhibit the production of free radicals. In addition, the preparation of unconventional fermented feed may degrade the anti-nutritional factors and toxins in feed, reduce the load of oxidative stress in animals [ 62 ], and further reduce the incidence of oxidative damage.…”

Productive Performance, Physiological Variables, and Carcass Quality of Finishing Pigs Supplemented with Ferulic Acid and Grape Pomace under Heat Stress Conditions

“…Likewise, under these conditions, the platelet content is modified. In this sense, previous studies have shown that the use of non-conventional feed sources rich in PCs can positively modify some hematological and biochemical parameters in monogastric under stressful situations [31,66]. Therefore, blood metabolites have been considered as indicators of nutritional metabolism and health of animals [67].…”