Mulberry leaf powder regulates the antioxidative capacity and lipid metabolism in finishing pigs

ABSTRACT This study evaluated the potential of mulberry leaf powder as an unconventional feed material for finishing pigs. We assessed the growth performance, antioxidative capacity, and lipid metabolism of a total of 180 Xiangcun Black pigs fed a control diet or a diet in which corn, soybean meal, and wheat bran were partly replaced by 3%, 6%, 9%, or 12% mulberry leaf powder. Study pigs (initial BW 71.64 ± 1.46 kg) were randomly assigned to 5 treatment groups; each with 6 replicates (pens) of 6 pigs per pen. Blood and muscle samples were collected after the 50-day feed experiment. Mulberry leaf powder had no negative effect on the growth performance of Xiangcun Black pigs, except in the 12% group, in which the final BW and average daily gain decreased (P