Effect of xylose hydrolysate as a feed supplement on growth performance, blood parameters, carcass characteristics and biological safety of goats

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the use of xylose hydrolysate as a dietary supplement by assessing its effects on the growth performance, blood parameters, and carcass traits of goats. Fourteen three-month-old goat wethers were randomly assigned to two groups, namely the control (CON) and xylose (XYL) groups and fed in the growing period for 3 months and finishing period for 6 months. The diet contained 60% basal roughage diet and the remaining 40% contained 5 % molasses or 5% xylose hydrolysate in CON and XYL groups, respectively. The initial average body weights of goats were 24.09±2.47 kg and 34.02±5.12 kg in the growing and finishing periods, respectively. Water and feed were provided ad libitum. The heavy metals and pesticide residues of xylose hydrolysate were fully in accordance with the Taiwan norms. There was no biological safety concern with the use of xylose hydrolysate. During the growing period, the average daily gain (ADG) of the goats was 110.59 g and 117.26 g in CON and XYL groups, respectively, and the feed conversation ratio (FCR) was 11.82 and 9.92 in CON and XYL groups, respectively. During the finishing period, the ADG of XYL group was 175.71 g, which was higher than that of CON (P=0.0988), and the FCR of XYL group was also better than that of CON (P=0.0719). The feed cost per kilogram of body weight gain for XYL and CON groups was US$ 3.44 and 4.08 in die growing period and US$ 4.36 and 5.44 in the finishing period, respectively. Blood parameters, carcass traits, and meat characteristics showed no significant difference between the two groups. In conclusion, using xylose hydrolysate as a feed supplement for goats can benefit the growth of goats and reduce the feed cost.