EFFECT OF DIETARY LEMONGRASS OIL OR VITAMIN E ON PERFORMANCE, DIGESTIBILITY COEFFICIENTS, CARCASS TRAITS AND MEAT QUALITY OF RABBITS

ABSTRACT: This study was conducted to determine the effect of supplemented rabbit diets with lemongrass (Cymbopogoncitratus) oil (LGO) or vitamin E (α-tocopheroyl acetate, Vit E) on performance, digestibility coefficients , carcass traits and meat quality of rabbits. Sixty growing New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits aged 8 weeks were divided randomly into four equal groups with three replicate (5 rabbit in each). Rabbits were distributed into four dietary treatments included a control diet without any feed additive, a diet containing 150mg Vit E /kg diet, Vit E, a diet containing 100 mg LGO /kg diet anda diet containing 150 mg LGO /kg diet during the growth period. Rabbits were fed to allow ad-libitum in feeding trial lasted 56 days. The results showed that rabbits fed diet contain 150 mg Vit E /kg diet and 150 mg LGO /kg diet recorded significantly higher final live weight and total weight gain as compared to the control and group fed diet contained 100 mg LGO /kg diet. Rabbits fed dietary 150 mg LGO recorded the best feed conversion ratio. The digestibility coefficients for CP and nutritive values in terms DCP and TDN of were significantly higher with Vit E and LGO supplementation. Supplementing 150 mg/kg diet Vit E increased significantly (P<0.05) OM digestibility coefficient. Adding LGO supplementation to rabbit diets significantly (P<0.01) increased carcass, dressing and total edible parts percentages. However, there were no significant differences between groups for heart, kidney, liver and giblets percentages. Total cholesterol content in meat decreased significantly (P<0.05) decreased in group fed 150 mg LGO as compared to the control group. Triglycerides and MDA concentrations were significantly lower in treatments group when compared with the control. There were no significant between experimental diets in pHu of meat, while drip loss % were significantly (P<0.05) decreased compared to those of the control. Conclusively, it could be concluded that adding lemongrass oil or vitamin E as feed supplementation in growing rabbit's diet improved growth performance, digestion coefficients dressing percentages and meat quality. Also, supplemented rabbits diet 150 mg LGO/kg diet led to improvement economic efficiency than that of 150 mg Vit E/ kgdiet and free from additives. Keywords: Lemongrass oil, Vitamin E, Growth performance, Nutrients digestibility, Carcass characteristics,  Meat quality.