Effects of <i>Broussonetia papyrifera</i>-fermented feed on the growth performance and muscle quality of Hu sheep

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of adding different proportions of Broussonetia papyrifera (BP)-fermented feed on Hu sheep. A total of 40 male Hu sheep (weighting 20.6 ± 2.20 kg) were collected and then divided into group I, II, III, and IV, with 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% of BP-fermented feed to based diet, respectively. After the trial period of 10 and 50 d, the sheep were slaughtered by conventional methods for the chemical analyses. It showed that adding 10% fermented feed could significantly increase the growth performance of the Hu sheep. Adding the fermented feed can improve the protein level, main flavor amino acid content, and fatty acid in the muscle. Based on the headspace solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography – mass spectrometry methods, a total of 125, 120, 119, and 117 kinds of volatile compounds were identified in group I, II, III, and IV, among which the relative content of the acid compound, ester compound, ketone compound, and aldehydes in group II, III, and IV were higher than that in control group, respectively. Addition of BP-fermented feed could significantly improve growth performance and meat quality of Hu sheep.