The Quality of Broiler Chicken Meat Fed with Dragon Fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus) Peel Flour

Abstract

The study aims to evaluate the effect of dragon fruit peel flour (DPF) on the meat quality of broiler chicken. A total of 96 DOCs of the Ross strain were randomly divided into 4 treatments and 6 replications. The treatments included T0=Basal diet (BD), T1=BD + 0.5% DPF, T2=BD + 1% DPF, and T3=BD + 1.5% DPF. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Duncan Multiple Range Test. Observed variables were water content, dry matter, protein, and fat mass of the broiler chicken’s meat. The results showed that there was an increase (P<0.05) in the meat weight, protein mass, and fat mass of broiler chickens fed with DPF, while pH, water content, dry matter, and the value of microbial respiration were not affected by the treatment (P>0.05). It was concluded that adding dragon fruit peel flour in broiler diets up to 1.5% could increase broiler meat's weight, protein, and fat mass.