Palma forrageira resistente à cochonilha do carmim na alimentação de ovinos em crescimento

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of cactus cladodes resistant to carmine cochineal cv. Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia) and Miúda (Nopalea) on nutrient intake and digestibility, ingestive behavior, performance, qualitative and quantitative carcass characteristics, weights and yields of non-carcass components, physicochemical parameters and sensory analysis of sheep meat growing. Thirty-six male Santa Inês sheep, six months old and with an initial average weight of approximately 22.0 ± 2.9 kg, were distributed in a completely randomized design with three treatments (Tifton, Nopalea and Opuntia) with twelve replications. The experimental period was 86 days, with the first 30 days for adaptation of the animals to the facilities, diets and management, and the remaining 56 days for evaluation and data collection. Nopalea treatment promoted higher (p <0.05) dry matter intake (g/day and % BW/day), crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN) and total carbohydrate digestibility, while Tifton showed high (P<0.05) neutral detergent fiber consumption (g/day and % BW/day) and digestibility of said nutrient. There was no difference between treatments (P>0.05) on feeding time (FT), however, rumination time (RT) and total chewing time (TCT) were higher (P<0.05) for the animals who received Tifton diet. Nopalea provided higher (P<0.05) feed efficiency (FE g DM/h) compared to Tifton diet. The rumination efficiency (RE g DM/h) was also lower for Tifton diet compared to other treatments. Animal performance was similar (P>0.05). Nopalea treatment promoted an increase (P<0.05) in the final loin eye area (FLEA) compared to Tifton. The Nopalea and Opuntia diets increased (P<0.05) the empty bodyweight of the animals by 3.3 kg and the cold carcass weight by 2.0 kg compared to Tifton. Cold carcass yield in cactus cladodes diets (Nopalea and Opuntia) was higher (P<0.05) than those fed with Tifton. Diets with cactus cladodes (Nopalea and Opuntia) provided a higher amount (P<0.05) of internal fat and fat in sheep carcass when compared to Tifton. Cactus cladodes diets increased (P<0.05) the weight of sheep liver. The Nopalea diet provides higher skin weight compared to Tifton. The leg of the animals treated with carmine-resistant fodder palm of carmine, indifferent to the genotype, presented a higher (P<0.05) fat deposition. There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in the physicochemical parameters of the meat as well as in the chemical composition. In the sensory evaluation, the score attributed to meat color in the Opuntia treatment was higher (P<0.05), as well as the characteristic flavor for the Nopalea treatment, both compared to Tifton. Spineless cactus Miúda can provide greater consumption and digestibility of nutrients. The evaluated cactus cladodes resistant to carmine cochineal increase the carcass weight, yield, and fat of confined sheep.