Effects of Dried Blueberry Pomace and Pineapple Pomace on Growth Performance and Meat Quality of Broiler Chickens

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of dried blueberry pomace (BP) and pineapple pomace (PP) on the growth performance and meat quality of broiler chickens. A total of 240 1-day-old Ross 308 broiler chickens were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 10 replicates per treatment group and 8 birds per replicate (4 males and 4 females). The three groups were the control (CON) group, the 3% BP group, and 3% PP group. The entire trial period lasted 42 days. The results show that the average daily feed intake, average daily gain, and feed-to-gain ratio of the BP group and the PP group were not significantly different from those in the CON group (p > 0.05). Adding BP to the diet significantly reduced the proportion of liver and giblets (p < 0.05). Adding PP to the diet significantly reduced the proportion of liver, while the proportion of gizzard significantly increased (p < 0.05). The pH24h and L* of breast muscles were significantly lower in the PP group than in the CON group (p < 0.05). The water-holding capacity of the leg muscles in the BP group and the PP group was significantly lower than that in the CON group (p < 0.05). The crude protein content of breast muscle and the ether extract content of leg muscle in the BP group were significantly lower than those in the CON group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the addition of 3% BP and PP to broiler chickens’ diets had no adverse effects on growth performance or meat quality.

Selected fruit pomaces: Nutritional profile, health benefits, and applications in functional foods and feeds

“…In conclusion, it was implied that inclusion of grape products in laying hen diet enhanced the quality of egg but reduced the egg weight and feed intake. Hu and researchers (2023) have reported that blending 3 % PP in broiler chicken (Ross 308) diet had no harmful effects on the meat quality or growth performance.…”

Effect of Dietary Incorporation of Hemp Seeds Alone or with Dried Fruit Pomace on Laying Hens’ Performance and on Lipid Composition and Oxidation Status of Egg Yolks

“…Fruit pomace contains parts of the pulp, peel, and seeds and represents 20–40% of the processed fruit mass [ 21 ]. Annually, more than 500 million tons of fruit pomace is produced globally [ 22 ], for which no sustainable unified management strategy has been developed. Adding these by-products to the diets of laying hens would reduce the need for synthetic antioxidants, which can have a negative impact on the health of both poultry and humans, and it could contribute to enriching the natural antioxidants in eggs, which would have a positive effect on the perception and acceptance of eggs by consumers [ 23 ].…”

“…Berries, such as blackcurrants and rosehips, are rich in essential fatty acids, polyphenols, tocopherols, carotenes, and vitamin C, hence their high antioxidant capacity. The pulp that remains as a by-product after juicing is still a good source of bioactive compounds (phenols, vitamins, provitamins, and essential fatty acids) [ 24 ], and it could be used in the diets of laying hens to naturally improve the nutritional quality of table eggs [ 22 ]. In Romania, significant amounts of by-products obtained from the processing of forest fruits result annually.…”