Inclusion of Palm Kernel Cake in Supplements for Grazing Lambs on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, Blood Metabolites and Meat Quality.
- 1School of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Science, Universidade Federal da Bahia, Salvador 40170-110, Brazil.
- 2Center for Agricultural, Environmental and Biological Sciences, Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia, Cruz das Almas 44380-000, Brazil.
- 3Faculty of Agronomic and Forestry Engineering, Universidade Zambeze, Mocuba 2403, Mozambique.
Abstract
Palm kernel cake (PKC), a byproduct produced in various countries, has been studied for its potential use as animal feed. This study aimed to assess the effects of PKC as a feed supplement on Santa Inês lambs raised on pasture (Panicum maximum cv. Massai). Forty uncastrated lambs were included in a completely randomized design and allocated to four treatments consisting of feed supplements with different levels of PKC included (0.0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg). The intake of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fibrous carbohydrates and the time spent ruminating decreased linearly as the level of PKC increased. Digestibility of the ether extract improved, fecal levels and intake of nitrogen decreased, and microbial protein remained consistent with PKC inclusion. The final body weight, total weight gain, and average daily weight gain decreased quadratically with PKC inclusion levels. Marbling and meat color improved with the inclusion of PKC in the diet. Lambs grazing and supplemented with control rations exhibited superior performance compared to those consuming supplements with PKC content. Including PKC at levels up to 450 g/kg in feed supplement for grazing lambs may reduce feed intake and animal performance without affecting blood metabolites. However, it enhances meat redness, which may appeal to consumers. Its use may be advantageous during critical dry periods for the maintenance feeding of grazing animals.
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BibTeX
@article{oliveira2026inclusion,
title = {{Inclusion of Palm Kernel Cake in Supplements for Grazing Lambs on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, Blood Metabolites and Meat Quality.}},
author = {Bruna Yasnaia de Souza Oliveira and Kennyson Alves de Souza and Lopes César Mugabe and Fabiana Lana de Araújo and Rosani Matoso Silva and Mailin Vasconcelos Dos Santos Lima and Emmanuel Emydio Gomes Pinheiro and Daniele Rebouças Santana Loures and Adriana Regina Bagaldo},
journal = {Animals : an open access journal from MDPI},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.3390/ani16203306},
url = {https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939237},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Inclusion of Palm Kernel Cake in Supplements for Grazing Lambs on Growth Performance, Digestibility, Nitrogen Balance, Blood Metabolites and Meat Quality.
AU - Bruna Yasnaia de Souza Oliveira
AU - Kennyson Alves de Souza
AU - Lopes César Mugabe
AU - Fabiana Lana de Araújo
AU - Rosani Matoso Silva
AU - Mailin Vasconcelos Dos Santos Lima
AU - Emmanuel Emydio Gomes Pinheiro
AU - Daniele Rebouças Santana Loures
AU - Adriana Regina Bagaldo
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/20
JO - Animals : an open access journal from MDPI
DO - 10.3390/ani16203306
UR - https://europepmc.org/article/MED/42939237
AB - Palm kernel cake (PKC), a byproduct produced in various countries, has been studied for its potential use as animal feed. This study aimed to assess the effects of PKC as a feed supplement on Santa Inês lambs raised on pasture (Panicum maximum cv. Massai). Forty uncastrated lambs were included in a completely randomized design and allocated to four treatments consisting of feed supplements with different levels of PKC included (0.0, 150, 300, and 450 g/kg). The intake of dry matter, neutral detergent fiber, and non-fibrous carbohydrates and the time spent ruminating decreased linearly as the level of PKC increased. Digestibility of the ether extract improved, fecal levels and intake of nitrogen decreased, and microbial protein remained consistent with PKC inclusion. The final body weight, total weight gain, and average daily weight gain decreased quadratically with PKC inclusion levels. Marbling and meat color improved with the inclusion of PKC in the diet. Lambs grazing and supplemented with control rations exhibited superior performance compared to those consuming supplements with PKC content. Including PKC at levels up to 450 g/kg in feed supplement for grazing lambs may reduce feed intake and animal performance without affecting blood metabolites. However, it enhances meat redness, which may appeal to consumers. Its use may be advantageous during critical dry periods for the maintenance feeding of grazing animals.
SN - 2076-2615
ER -