Cocoa husks in diets of Italian heavy pigs

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cocoa husks feeding on liver composition of the Italian heavy pig. Cocoa husks are by-products derived from chocolate production and have a high content of proteins, lipids, and NDF. Cocoa husks are also rich in antioxidants, polyphenols in...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of animal science 2012-12, Vol.90 Suppl 4 (suppl_4), p.230-232
Main Authors: Magistrelli, D, Malagutti, L, Galassi, G, Rosi, F
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Animal Feed - analysis
Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena
Animals
Cacao - chemistry
Cocoa
Diet
Diet - veterinary
Energy Intake
Energy Metabolism
Hogs
Hot Temperature
Liver
Liver - drug effects
Liver - metabolism
Male
Nutritive Value
Swine - physiology
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Summary:The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of cocoa husks feeding on liver composition of the Italian heavy pig. Cocoa husks are by-products derived from chocolate production and have a high content of proteins, lipids, and NDF. Cocoa husks are also rich in antioxidants, polyphenols in particular. Eight finishing pigs were divided into 2 groups: control group fed a traditional diet, based on cereals, and treatment group fed a diet obtained by substitution of 10% of the control diet with coarsely ground cocoa husks. The trial was conducted during the hot season and lasted 6 wk, at the end of which all the pigs were slaughtered. Cocoa husks diet reduced dry matter intake (P < 0.01) and energy intake (P < 0.01) but neither body weight nor backfat thickness was affected by cocoa husks diet. Treatment did not influence carcass weight and hot dressing percentage but reduced liver weight (P < 0.05), liver dry matter percentage (P < 0.01), DNA (P = 0.01), and glycogen content (P = 0.01). By contrast, cocoa husks increased liver ether extract (P = 0.05) without affecting cholesterol content. Liver weight loss, reduction of protein synthesis, and a shift toward glycogen use instead of fat oxidation are considered metabolic strategies to reduce heat production under hot conditions. It is possible, therefore, that cocoa husks feeding promoted the process of acclimation because pigs needed less feeding to reach similar body and carcass weight as control pigs.
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163
DOI:10.2527/jas.53970