ABSTRACT We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effect of a polyherbal additive with metabolites such as antioxidants, vitamins, and small hydrolysable tannoids oils on productive parameters and blood metabolites in finishing lambs. Forty male Hampshire × Suffolk lambs (23.79±2.24 kg) were used in a completely randomized experimental design. Treatments consisted of dietary inclusion of a polyherbal additive based on Emblica officinalis and Ocimum sanctum at 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/kg dry matter for 60 d. There were no effects on daily gain, dry matter intake, feed conversion, back fat thickness, and Longissimus dorsi area; however, hot carcass dressing improved linearly as the level of herbal additive supplementation was increased. The antioxidants of the polyherbal additive linearly inhibited lipid oxidation of the meat (24 h; day 10) and improved its water-holding capacity (24 h). Meat lightness after 1 d was reduced linearly, but no changes were detected in other color parameters. Metabolites (glucose, urea, cholesterol) related to energy or protein metabolism were not affected by the herbal additive. Lymphocytes and basophiles were reduced linearly whereas monocytes and segmented neutrophils increased linearly for polyherbal additive. The inclusion of the polyherbal additive does not improve daily gain or feed efficiency in finishing lambs but improves the carcass dressing and antioxidant capacity of the meat.

Abstract: The productive performance of pigs fed with solid-state fermented apple pomace (FAP) and an enzymatic complex (ENZ) was evaluated. Twenty-four Landrace x York (38.9 ± 3.6 kg) pigs were fed ad libitum with different diet treatments including FAP and ENZ: T0-0 (0 g kg−1 FAP - 0 g kg−1 ENZ), T0-1 (0 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ), T50-0 (50 g kg−1 FAP + 0 g kg−1 ENZ), T50-1 (50 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ), T100-0 (100 g kg−1 FAP + 0 g kg−1 ENZ) and T100-1 (100 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ). Productivity; Feed intake, F:G ratio, Weight gain, return on investment by monetary unit (profitability Index, PI) and carcass traits; Carcass dressing percent and primary cuts, were evaluated. Data were analyzed according to the randomized complete block design. Productivity and feeding characteristics were not affected by FAP or ENZ (p > 0.05). Hot dressing percent was affected by ENZ (p = 0.0497). T100-0 and T100-0 showed similar (p > 0.05) value to T0-0. Primary cut yield was not negatively affected (p > 0.05). The best PI was obtained with T50-0 in growing phase. FAP improved Pl only in growing phase and ENZ combined with FAP showed variant PI. Results showed that FAP may be considered as a suitable option for feeding pigs because it maintains animal productivity.

Resumen: El comportamiento productivo de cerdos alimentados con bagazo de manzana fermentado en estado sólido (FAP) y un complejo enzimático (ENZ) fue evaluado. En el experimento se utilizaron 24 cerdos Landrace x York (38.9 ± 3.6 kg), se alimentaron ad libitum con diferentes dietas de tratamiento incluyendo FAP y ENZ; T0-0 (0 g kg−1 FAP - 0 g kg−1 ENZ), T0-1 (0 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ), T50-0 (50 g kg−1 FAP + 0 g kg−1 ENZ), T50-1 (50 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ), T100-0 (100 g kg−1 FAP + 0 g kg−1 ENZ) and T100-1 (100 g kg−1 FAP + 1 g kg−1 ENZ). Se evaluó la productividad; consumo de alimento, conversión alimenticia, ganancia de peso, índice de rentabilidad (PI) y características de la canal; rendimiento en canal y rendimiento en cortes primarios. Los datos fueron analizados considerando un diseño en bloques completamente al azar. La productividad y las características de alimentación no fueron afectadas por FAP o ENZ (p > 0.05). El rendimiento en canal caliente se afectó por ENZ (p = 0.0497). Los tratamientos T100-0, T50-0 y T0-0 fueron similares (p > 0.05). El rendimiento en cortes primarios no fue afectado negativamente (p > 0.05). El mejor PI fue obtenido para T50-0 en la fase de crecimiento. FAP mejoró el PI únicamente en la fase de crecimiento y la combinación con ENZ mostró un PI variante. Los resultados obtenidos mostraron que FAP puede ser considerado como una opción adecuada para alimentar cerdos y mantener su productividad.