Biasato I, Renna M, Cerutti G L, Maccagno F, Lussiana C, Ferrocino I, Bellezza Oddon S, Caimi C, Xiccato G, Trocino A, Pauciullo A, Brugiapaglia A, Gasco L
Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini, 2, 10095 Grugliasco (TO), Italy.
Animal. 2025 Jul;19(7):101546. doi: 10.1016/j.animal.2025.101546. Epub 2025 May 16.
Mulberry leaf meal (MLM) may act as a promising, alternative feed ingredient for rabbit farming, due to its good nutrient digestibility and high fibre content. Therefore, this study evaluated the effects of the inclusion of MLM in the fattening diet of rabbits on their productive performance, caecal microbiota, genotoxicity, and meat quality and consumer acceptance. A total of 480 crossbred rabbits weaned at 45 days of age were allotted to two dietary treatments (30 replicate cages/treatment, 8 rabbits/cage). During the post-weaning phase (45-63 days of age), both groups were fed the same commercial feed; during the fattening phase (64-88 days of age), two isonitrogenous, isolipidic and isoenergetic diets were fed: (1) control diet (C) and (2) MLM diet (10% MLM). During fattening, the MLM rabbits displayed higher daily feed intake (DFI) and feed conversion ratio than the C ones (P < 0.05), with higher DFI in the MLM than in the C group over the whole trial (P < 0.01). At slaughter, the relative weight of the liver was lower in MLM than in C rabbits (P < 0.05). The caecal microbiota and Sister Chromatid Exchange frequency were not significantly influenced by MLM inclusion (P > 0.05). The Longissimus thoracis et lumborum (LTL) yellowness and saturation indexes were lower in the MLM than in the C group (P < 0.05), and the former also showed a lower ether extract in the LTL when compared to the latter rabbits (P < 0.01). The proportion of the majority of fatty acids did not differ according to the diets. Only stearic and α-linolenic acids rates were lower and higher, respectively, in the thighs of MLM-fed rabbits (P < 0.05). At the consumer test, the MLM meat was penalised for being "too dry" and "too bland" in flavour when compared to the C meat. In conclusion, dietary MLM inclusion in the fattening phase may impair the feed conversion of rabbits, without impairing their final weight, carcass traits, caecal microbiota, and genome stability. Paler, leaner, and α-linolenic-enriched meat can also be obtained, which however may be potentially perceived by consumers as less juicy and flavoured when compared to conventional meat.
桑叶粉（MLM）因其良好的营养消化率和高纤维含量，可能成为家兔养殖中一种有前景的替代饲料原料。因此，本研究评估了在育肥兔日粮中添加MLM对其生产性能、盲肠微生物群、遗传毒性、肉质和消费者接受度的影响。总共480只45日龄断奶的杂交兔被分配到两种日粮处理组（每组30个重复笼，每笼8只兔）。在断奶后阶段（45 - 63日龄），两组均饲喂相同的商业饲料；在育肥阶段（64 - 88日龄），饲喂两种等氮、等脂和等能量的日粮：（1）对照日粮（C）和（2）MLM日粮（10% MLM）。育肥期间，MLM组兔子的日采食量（DFI）和饲料转化率高于C组（P < 0.05），整个试验期间MLM组的DFI高于C组（P < 0.01）。屠宰时，MLM组兔子肝脏的相对重量低于C组（P < 0.05）。盲肠微生物群和姐妹染色单体交换频率不受MLM添加的显著影响（P > 0.05）。MLM组的胸腰最长肌（LTL）黄度和饱和度指数低于C组（P < 0.05），与C组兔子相比，前者LTL中的乙醚提取物也较低（P < 0.01）。大多数脂肪酸的比例不因日粮而异。仅硬脂酸和α - 亚麻酸的比例在饲喂MLM的兔子大腿中分别较低和较高（P < 0.05）。在消费者测试中，与C组肉相比，MLM组的肉因“太干”和味道“太淡”而受到不利评价。总之，育肥阶段日粮中添加MLM可能会损害兔子的饲料转化率，但不会影响其最终体重、胴体性状、盲肠微生物群和基因组稳定性。还可以获得颜色更浅、更瘦且富含α - 亚麻酸的肉，然而与传统肉相比，消费者可能会觉得这种肉的多汁性和风味较差。
