EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY OF GROWING RABBITS.

Abo-Eid, H. A.; Abousekken, M. S.; El-Rashedey, M. M.

doi:10.21608/ejnf.2019.79447

EFFECT OF ANTIOXIDANTS SUPPLEMENTATION ON GROWTH PERFORMANCE AND MEAT QUALITY OF GROWING RABBITS.

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Sustainable Development Department, Environmental Studies and Research Institute (ESRI), University of Sadat City, Menofiya, Egypt.

10.21608/ejnf.2019.79447

Abstract

This experiment was conducted in Alkeraam farm (A private rabbit's farm at Sadat area on the Deseret Alex. Road) cooperating with Environmental Studies and Research Institute farm belonging to University of Sadat City, Menufiya Governorate, Egypt. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of adding natural antioxidant (Senecio glaucus) of 5 or 10 g of powder or extract per kg of basal diet and Butylated Hydroxytoluene (BHT) as industrial antioxidantat a rate of 150 ppm/kg of basal diet on the performance of growing New Zealand White rabbits. A total of 42 rabbits aged 5 weeks were used in this study, with an average weight of 746.8g. The results indicated that the digestion coefficients were insignificantly differed between the experimental groups and the control positive group (T1), except the control negative group (T2) which significantly lower. Also, the results of TDN and DCP showed insignificantly diffracts among the experimental groups except, group T2. Adverse reactions of lipid oxidation test indicated that the extent of fat oxidation in thigh meat after 7 days of refrigerated storage did not differ between all treatments. While, the concentration of mononaldehyde after 90 days of freezing storage of rabbit meat fed on diet containing 5 g of Senecio glaucus / kg (T5) and 1 ml of Senecio glaucus (T7) extract was significantly lower compared with other groups. Also, the rabbits fed on T6 and T7 groups showed the highest value for meat color, taste, odder, flavor and overall acceptance. Improvements in mean of net revenue, economic efficiency and relative economic efficiency in groups fed on Senecio glaucus either powder or extract supplementation and industrial antioxidant compared to control groups. It could be concluded that, the use of Senecio glaucus plant either powder or extract (5 or 10 g/kg ration) as alternative to industrial antioxidants improves growth performance, quality of meat, duration of its frozen storage and reduces nitrogen feces, which preserves the environment and achieves high returns in the economic efficiency of the production process.

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