Effect of feeding fermented Pueraria lobata on pork meat

This study investigated the effect of the addition of different levels of fermented Pueraria lobata on growth performance, slaughter performance, and meat quality of Guike black pigs to provide a reference for the development of Pueraria lobata feed for the pig industry. We randomly assigned 32 pigs one of four groups: the control group, fed only a basic diet; and three experimental groups, fed diets supplemented with 5% (Group I), 10% (Group II), and 15% (Group III) fermented Pueraria lobata respectively. The advanced experimental period had 10 days, and the formal experimental period was 90 days. The results showed that experimental group I had the highest average daily feed intake (ADFI) and fastest growth rate, and average daily gain (ADG) reached 746.73 g. The slaughter performance of experimental group I (supplemented with 5% Pueraria lobata) was best; all the slaughter indices, such as slaughter weight, carcass weight, slaughter percentage, eye muscle area, were highest; and there was no obvious difference in meat quality compared with control group, such as meat color, water-holding capacity, shear force and pH. The blood physiological and biochemical indicators, the content of alanine aminotransferase in blood of group I was the lowest, which to some extent reflected that liver function of Guike black pigs in group I were improved compared with the other treatment groups. Thus, when fermented Pueraria lobata is used as a feed additive for Guike black pigs, a level of 5% is recommend.