Organoleptic Quality, Pork Characterization and Hematological Indices of Growing Pigs Fed Supplemental Diets Containing Bitter Leaf and Hospital Too Far

Abstract

Effect of bitter leaf (Vernonia amygdalina) and hospital too far (Jathropha tanjorensis) leaf meals on organoleptic characteristics of pork and haematological indices of growing pigs was investigated. A total of 32 grower pigs were completely randomized into 4 dietary treatments. Eight young pigs were placed on each treatment with four replicates of 2 pigs each. Four diets were formulated: T1 (basal feed only), T2 (basal feed + 4% bitter leaf meal), T3 (basal feed + 4% hospital too far leaf meal) and T4 (basal feed + 2% bitter leaf meal + 2% hospital too far leaf meal). Haematological indices measured include: haemoglobin, packed cell volume, red blood cells, and white blood cells from 16 pigs (4 per treatment). The pigs were thereafter slaughtered for carcass evaluation and organoleptic quality assessment. Results indicated significant (P<0.05) increase in terms of carcass yield and primal cuts (loin, chump chop, breast and rib chop) for T3 followed by T2 and T4. Pigs in T3 group recorded the best dressing percentage and increase in the primal cuts. The test diets had no negative effects on the organoleptic quality of pork. However, T1 was significantly better in terms of tenderness followed by T2 and T4 indicated significant difference (P<0.05) among treatment groups with the highest score recorded in T1. Red and white blood cells were significantly higher in the T3 group compared to other treatments. Haemoglobin and packed cell volume were significantly higher in the T4 group while the control (T1) had the least. MCH and MCHC were significantly higher in all treatments except in the control. It is concluded that the test diets improved the carcass characteristics, organoleptic quality and haematological indices of the pigs. Based on the results, hospital too far leaf meal (HTFLM) is recommended.