Inclusion of Berberis vulgaris leaf in the diet of fattening lambs: effects on performance, nutrient intake, rumen fermentation, and carcass traits.

This study was aimed to first, determine the nutritional value of Berberis vulgaris leaf (BVL), using in vitro gas production technique and second, determine the effect of replacing alfalfa hay (AH) with BVL in lamb diets on nutrient intake, performance, and carcass traits. In vitro rumen gas kinetics and fermentation profile were assessed using three fistulated lambs and 96 h incubation of samples. For the in vivo trial, 21 Baluchi male lambs of 5-6 mo of age and 30.6 ±â€…1.28 kg body weight (BW) were randomly assigned to three treatment diets containing BVL at 0% (CTRL), 7.5% (BVL7.5), and 15% (BVL15) of the total dry matter (DM) inclusion. The study lasted 84 d, which included 14 d for adaption and 70 d for sample collection. In vitro results showed that BVL had lower gas yield (GY24, P ≤ 0.05) than AH. In vivo trial revealed that DM intake increased with BVL15 followed by BVL7.5 (P ≤ 0.05). Digestibility of DM, organic matter, NDF, and acid detergent lignin decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with BVL15. Total weight gain, average daily gain, hot carcass weight, and cold carcass weight were decreased (P ≤ 0.05) with BVL15, however, no differences were observed between the BVL7.5 and CTRL groups. Feed cost per kilogram BW gain decrease (P ≤ 0.05) by increasing the inclusion levels of BVL. In conclusion, BVL (up to 7.5% DM of diet) have positive consequences on performance, nutrient intake, rumen fermentation without deleterious effects on fattening performance.

Barberry (Berberis vulgaris) leaf (BVL) is an agricultural by-product rich in plant secondary compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, anthocyanins, and tannin. The present study was aimed to first, evaluate in vitro nutritional value of BVL and second, explore the effects of BVL inclusion in finishing lambs diet (at levels of 0%, 7.5%, and 15% dry matter [DM] of diet), in partial replacement of alfalfa hay, on performance, carcass characteristics, and ruminal fermentation. BVL had less crude protein, ash, and natural detergent fiber than alfalfa hay, but more phenolic compounds and total tannin. The dietary inclusion of BVL at 7.5% and 15% DM of diet enhanced dry matter intake in fattening lambs and affected apparent digestibility. The relationship between nutrient intake and digestibility (DM, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) was optimal with 7.5% BVL inclusion. The highest levels of dietary BVL were associated with lower weight gain; however, the production costs were reduced by BVL inclusion, and return per kilogram body weight gain was improved. However, additional trials are needed to refine the potential effects BVL on ruminal fermentation, methane emission and quality of products.

Partial substitution of alfalfa hay by Berberis vulgaris leaf modulated the growth performance, meat quality and antioxidant status of fattening lambs.

BACKGROUND: Undoubtedly, global warming has caused a decrease in the production of agricultural commodities. This problem has increased the price of animal feed due to competition with human consumption. Meanwhile, the physiology of ruminants gives them the ability to use by-products and agricultural waste and supply their requirements for growth, maintenance and even production. Berberis vulgaris is a plant native to Iran, and after separating the fruit, its waste (mainly leaf) is unused and causes environmental pollution. The leaves of this plant contain significant amounts of phenolic compounds, alkaloids and anthocyanins that have antioxidant properties. OBJECTIVES: This experiment was conducted with the aim of determining the chemical properties of barberry leaves, such as crude protein, phenolic compounds, tannins and alkaloids. The effects of substituting of B. vulgaris leaf (BVL) in the diet on performance characteristics of fattening Baluchi lambs were evaluated. The quality and antioxidant status of meat and blood parameters such as glucose, cholesterol, blood urea nitrogen and liver enzymes were investigated. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 21 male of 5-6 months old lambs with a mean body weight of 30.60 ± 1.28 kg were randomly assigned to one of three dietary treatments with different levels of BVL: 1-diet without BVL (control), 2-diet containing 7.5% BVL (BVL7.5), and 3-diet containing 15% BVL (BVL15; dry matter [DM] basis). Blood samples were harvested after overnight fasting from the jugular vein at 0, 28, 56 and 84 days. The lambs were slaughtered after 84 days of feeding trial and longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle was dissected. Meat quality and antioxidant stability status were measured. RESULTS: 15% substitution of alfalfa hay by BVL (BVL15) increased DM intake) and decreased average daily gain (p ≤ 0.05). The LD muscle (p ≤ 0.05), liver (p ≤ 0.01) and plasma (p ≤ 0.05) samples of lambs fed either BVL7.5 or BVL15 displayed a greater total antioxidant capacity than that of lambs fed the control diet. Also, malondialdehyde concentration was decreased in plasma (p ≤ 0.01) and LD muscle of lambs (p ≤ 0.05) fed both BVL7.5 and BVL15. In addition, higher a* and C* values (p ≤ 0.05) were observed in the meat of lambs fed BVL15 than those fed with the control, while the lightness (L*) in BVL15 was lower, compared to other experimental diets CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results indicated that 7.5% substitution of alfalfa hay by BVL may positively modulate the antioxidant status of fattening lambs and improve the colour stability of meat without negative effects on performance characteristics.