Effects of Moringa oleifera leaves as a substitute for alfalfa meal on nutrient digestibility, growth performance, carcass trait, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of rabbits

Abstract

SummaryThis contribution reports the effects of Moringa oleifera leaves (MOLs) meal on the growth performances, nutrient digestibility, carcass trait, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters of growing New Zealand white rabbits. The MOL was substituted for alfalfa meal at levels of 0, 10%, 20% and 30% to obtain respective diets MOL0, MOL10, MOL20 and MOL30. Each treatment was replicated five times with 10 rabbits per replicate. Results showed the average daily weight gain (ADWG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) of rabbits fed MOL20 diet were significantly better (p < 0.05) than those of other three dietary groups. Liver and spleen index of rabbits fed MOL20 and MOL30 diets was significantly higher (p < 0.05) than that of the groups fed with lower M. oleifera leaves (MOL0, MOL10). The meat drip loss of rabbits fed with diet MOL10 was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than that of rabbits fed other diets. All rabbits fed MOL dietary groups had lower (p < 0.05) shear force of longissimus dorsi than the group without M. oleifera leaves. No significant differences were found in the digestibility of crude fibre (CF), crude fat (EE), ash, crude protein (CP) and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) among the dietary groups. Moringa oleifera leaves also have a significant impact on serum albumin (ALB), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDLC), triiodothyroxine (T 3 ) and tetraiodothyroxine (T 4 ) values and the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) in serum and liver. The results indicated that M. oleifera leaves could be developed as a good feed source, and it not only could substitute for alfalfa meal well but also has a significant effect on growth performance, meat quality, antioxidant and biochemical parameters of rabbits.

Paulownia Leaves as A New Feed Resource: Chemical Composition and Effects on Growth, Carcasses, Digestibility, Blood Biochemistry, and Intestinal Bacterial Populations of Growing Rabbits

“…On the other hand, herein, the HDL level was significantly increased in the rabbits that received the PLM diets ( p = 0.037), but LDL was decreased ( p = 0.042) in those that received 30% PLM. Our findings are partially consistent with those of Sun et al [42], who detected that the inclusion of 10% tree foliage in rabbit diets resulted in the lowest value of serum LDL when compared with the alfalfa group. These effects could be linked to the PLM antioxidant and antiperoxide activity [4] or the reduction of energy intake [43].…”

Effect of dietary Moringa stem meal level on growth performance, slaughter performance and serum biochemical parameters in geese

“…Many studies have demonstrated that diets supplemented with Moringa oleifera leaf meal or extract improved the meat quality by, for example, increasing the meat pH and water‐holding capacity in goats, broilers and pork (Hazra, Biswas, Bhattacharyya, Das, & Khan, ; Mukumbo, ; Qwele, ). Rabbit fed with 10% Moringa oleifera leaf meal could decrease the meat drip loss and the shear force of the longissimus dorsi (Sun et al, ). This decrease might be attributed to the quercetin in Moringa by assisting in the prevention of meat degradation by oxidation (Lin et al, ; Moyo, Masika, Hugo, & Muchenje, ).…”

Effect of Moringa oleifera supplementation on productive performance, colostrum composition and serum biochemical indexes of sow

“…level of lipid peroxidation in animals (Xi et al, 2016). Also, Sun et al (2017) reported that the 20% Moringa oleifera leaves substitu- Values that differ significantly at P < .05.…”