Replacement of cereal grains by orange pulp and carob pulp in faba bean-based diets fed to lambs: effects on growth performance and meat quality

Fourteen weaned lambs (43 days of age) were divided into two equal groups o f seven animals and received two different diets. The experimental diet con tained 10% of carob pulp and 10% of orange pulp associated to 54% of faba b ean. The control diet contained 12% of maize meal and 12% of barley meal as sociated to 49.2% of faba bean. Both diets were pelletted and given ad libi tum. The two diets had comparable contents of dry matter, ash, crude fat, f ibre and crude protein. Control diet was relatively higher in soluble nitro gen than the experimental one. However, experimental diet was higher in fib re-bound nitrogen and in total and condensed tannins than control one. At t he end of the feeding trial (120 d of age) growth and slaughter performance were comparable between treatments. Chemical analysis of meat samples did not show any significant difference between groups. Physical analysis of me at showed a higher (P < 0.05) lightness (L*) value in experimental group th an in the control one. Sensory analysis allowed the panellists to discrimin ate lamb meat from the two groups. Flavour, tenderness and juiciness were j udged to be more intense (P < 0.01) in the meat of control group; also over all acceptability was higher (P < 0.05) in this group. It was concluded tha t the replacement of cereal grains with carob and orange pulp in lamb fatte ning diet is useful to reduce feeding costs. Nevertheless, we need further investigations on the level of inclusion in the diet, in order to avoid the negative effects on sensory attributes without detrimental effect on growt h performance.