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Effects of Diets Containing Psyllium Seed Husks on Carcass Composition, Fatty Acid Profile, and Cholesterol of Rabbits
Interest in low-fat diets coupled with attention for novel and locally-produced foods has led to a resurgence in rabbit meat consumption in the United States. Psyllium seed husks (PSH) from the Plantago ovata plant have been touted as a livestock nutritional enhancement designed to clean digestive tracts, improve performance and feed efficiency, and lower production costs; however, PSH has not been fully investigated in rabbit diets. Therefore, intact male and female New Zealand fryers (n = 44) were used to examine effects of diets with PSH or without (C) on carcass composition, fatty acid profile, and cholesterol of rabbits. Rabbit fryers (2.3 ± 0.54 kg BW) were sourced from 2 producers, and transported from southwest Missouri to the University of Arkansas abattoir, where they were humanely harvested. After harvest, carcass measurements were collected and LM samples were obtained for fatty acid analysis and cholesterol determination. Rabbits fed PSH had greater (P < 0.01) final BW, HCW, cold CW, and DP than rabbits fed C. Even though LM color and cooking losses did not differ (P ≥ 0.34) between treatments, LM from PSH-fed rabbits had greater (P < 0.01) shear force values than that from C-fed rabbits. Cholesterol content tended to be greater (P ≤ 0.07) in the LM of C than PSH rabbits. Among the various SFA, mg of C10:0 was higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the LM of C-fed rabbits, whereas, LM concentrations of C14:0 was greater (P ≤ 0.04) in PSH-fed rabbits. All other SFA examined did not differ (P ≥ 0.26) between treatments. For MUFA, only C18:1t was found to be greater (P ≤ 0.03) in PSH-fed than C-fed rabbits; all other MUFA were similar (P ≥ 0.26) between treatments. Polyunsaturated fatty acids, C20:4n-6, C22:5, and C22:6 were greater (P ≤ 0.03) in PSH than C rabbits. Fatty acid C20:2 tended (P ≤ 0.07) to be higher in C vs. PSH. All other PUFA were similar (P ≥ 0.12) between dietary treatments. Total mg of FA found in LM of PSH- and C-fed rabbits did not differ (P ≥ 0.65). Weights and dressing percentages of rabbit fryers fed psyllium seed husks were improved relative to control rabbits sourced and harvested at the same time; however, shear force values were lower in control rabbits in this trial. Cholesterol tended to be lower and various differences were observed in the fatty acid profile of rabbits fed psyllium seed husks.
Keywords: Rabbit, Psyllium Seed Husks, Fatty Acid