RESUMO
This study evaluated the effects of dietary supplementation of tomato processing by-product extract (TPBE) on growth performance, carcass characteristics and antioxidant status of growing rabbits under high ambient temperature. A total of eighty weaned New Zealand White (NZW) male rabbits (6-weeks-old; initial body weight, 730.28 ± 36.05 g) were randomly assigned to 4 groups. The first group was the control without supplementation; while the other groups were fed diets supplemented with 100, 200 and 250 mg TPBE/kg. The results showed that TPBE contained 211.85 mg/100g as total phenols and total flavones of 303.36 mg/100g. Rabbits fed a 250 mg TPBE-supplemented diet showed the heaviest body weight, the lowest feed intake and the best feed conversion ratio. TPBE diets reduced mortality percentage. Dietary supplementation of 250 mg TPBE had the highest dressing percentage. Plasma total protein, globulin, catalase and glutathione peroxidase of rabbits fed diets supplemented with 200 and 250 mg TPBE were high. Plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, plasma hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde concentrations were decreased with dietary levels of TPBE. Rabbits fed 250 mg TPBE had higher T-AOC than the other groups. TPBE supplemented diets improved net revenue and economic efficiency. Conclusively, TPBE is containing appreciable content of polyphenols and flavonoids and the dietary supplementation of TPBE (250 mg/kg diet) had a positive impact on growth performance, reducing mortality and enhancing the antioxidant status of rabbits reared under high ambient temperature.
