Growth Performance, Biochemical Blood Indices, and Large Intestine Physiology of Rats Fed Diets with Alfalfa Protein-Xanthophyll Concentrate.

Marcin Barszcz,Anna Tuśnio,Jacek Skomiał,Marcin Taciak,Ilona Bachanek-Matusiewicz,Kamil Gawin

doi:10.3390/ani11072069

Abstract

Simple SummaryAlfalfa protein-xantophyll concentrate is a rich source of nutrients and bioactive compounds. It provides protein, lutein, vitamins, minerals, phytoestrogens, and other plant metabolites. Thus, it may affect animal health in many ways; however, its impact is not fully recognized. Therefore, the aim of the study was to determine the effect of dietary supplementation with 1.5% and 3% concentrate on growth performance, blood biochemical profile, and large intestine physiology of rats as a model animals. The results showed that feeding a diet supplemented with alfalfa concentrate could reduce thickness of the protective mucus layer in the colon of rats but did not affect animal growth and microbial activity in the caecum.The effect of dietary levels of alfalfa protein-xanthophyll concentrate (PXC) was determined in growing rats. Three groups of eight four-week-old male Wistar rats, with an average initial body weight of 61 g, were fed for 28 days either natural-ingredient diets without PXC or supplemented with 1.5% or 3% PXC. Growth performance, blood biochemistry, caecal fermentation, morphology of the large intestine, and mucin gene expression were evaluated. PXC did not affect growth performance but tended to decrease relative liver weight. Among biochemical blood parameters, only bilirubin decreased and uric acid increased in response to 1.5% and 3% PXC, respectively. Caecal fermentation was not affected, with the exception of isovaleric acid concentration, which tended to be higher in rats fed the diet containing 3% PXC. Colonic crypts tended to be deeper in rats fed the 3% PXC diet and the thickness of the colonic mucus layer was reduced by both PXC levels. In conclusion, PXC did not affect growth performance or caecal fermentation but decreased thickness of the protective mucus layer in the colon.

Highlights

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a valuable legume, whose protein yield (2–3 tonnes per hectare) is several times greater than that of other legumes, such as soybean and pea, and grains [1]
Feeding diets supplemented with protein-xanthophyll concentrate (PXC) did not affect feed intake, body weight gain, or feed efficiency
There was no effect of PXC on the relative weight of the heart, pancreas, stomach, small intestine, caecum, spleen, or kidneys, but the relative weight of the liver tended to be lower in rats fed diets supplemented with PXC

Summary

Introduction

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a valuable legume, whose protein yield (2–3 tonnes per hectare) is several times greater than that of other legumes, such as soybean and pea, and grains [1]. Alfalfa cannot constitute the major protein source in feeds intended for young monogastric animals due to its high crude fibre content, reaching. A high reduction of crude fibre content (to 1–2%) can be achieved by separating protein from fibre during the production of protein-xanthophyll concentrate (PXC). In this process, alfalfa is pulped and pressed to obtain a green juice, which is subsequently heated at 85–90 ◦ C to coagulate proteins. Alfalfa protein is well utilized by growing-finishing pigs and it provides results comparable to soybean meal, even when used as the only protein supplement in a barley-based diet [5]

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