Effects of dietary supplement of mulberry leaf (Morus alba) on growth and meat quality in rabbits

This research evaluated the effects of mulberry leaf in diet on growth and meat quality in rabbits. Five treatment diets were prepared by using a proportion of 0% (CK), 5% (ML5), 10% (ML10), 15% (ML15) and 20% (ML20) mulberry leaf powder (MLP), respectively. Results showed that average daily gain (ADG) in the ML20 group was significantly (P≦0.05) lower than that in the CK, ML5 and ML10 treatments. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) in the ML20 treatment was significantly (P≦0.05) higher than that in all other treatments. Most of the carcass characteristics had no significant differences among the five treatments (P>0.05), however, abdominal fat percentage in the four MLP treatments was significantly (P≦0.05) lower than that in the CK. The L* and a* values in most of MLP treatment samples of longissimus dorsi and hind leg muscles were significantly increased and the b* value significantly declined than those in the CK (P≦0.05). Drip loss values in the ML10, ML15 and ML20 group were significantly (P≦0.05) lower than those in the CK. Moisture, fat and ash contents in the higher MLP level treatments (ML15 and ML20) were significantly (P≦0.05) lower than those in the CK. In conclusion, MLP for a certain proportion in diet (≦ 15%) is greatly valuable for improvement of growth and meat appearance of rabbits and a high proportion of MLP (e.g. ≧ 20%) may impede growth of young rabbits.