Effect of Gliricidia, Moringa and Leuceana Leaves Meal on Growth Performance, Carcass Characteristics, Blood Indices and Meat Quality

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the effects of incorporating Gliricidia, Leucaena, and Moringa-based leaf meal supplements on rabbit production and meat quality. Driven by rising animal feed costs and disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the research sought to identify affordable, nutritionally efficient alternative feed sources for livestock to ensure sustainable rabbit production.

Method: The research utilised 48 rabbits, divided into four groups, and fed different experimental diets for a specified period. The study employed descriptive statistics and Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at α = 0.05 to assess a comprehensive range of parameters, including growth performance, carcass characteristics, organ weights, haematological and serum biochemical indices, and various meat quality attributes.

Results: Haematological analysis revealed that the 50% Moringa-based diet significantly improved growth performance, as evidenced by higher fasted and carcass weights, and enhanced haematological parameters, including packed cell volume and haemoglobin concentration. While the Gliricidia-based diet yielded higher weights for hind and forelimb cuts, the Moringa-based diet increased back weight, abdominal fat deposition, and improved digestive health via increased cecum weight. Additionally, the Moringa diet positively influenced cholesterol and HDL levels and demonstrated superior meat quality attributes, specifically lower cooking loss and higher water-holding capacity, although the control diet exhibited higher oxidative rancidity.

Conclusion: The study demonstrates that incorporating Moringa-based leaf meal into rabbit diets significantly improves growth performance, blood parameters, and meat quality. These findings suggest that Moringa is a viable, cost-effective alternative to traditional feeds, with potential to improve cardiovascular health indices and meat juiciness. Future research is needed to better understand lipid oxidation in leaf meal-based diets and to refine rabbit nutritional strategies further.