Dehydrated citrus pulp in broiler diets

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of citrus pulp in diet for broilers on weight of gastrointestinal organs, intestinal morphometry, and quality and lipid oxidation of broiler meat during the storage time. A total of 966 Cobb male broiler chicks were fed six increasing levels of dietary citrus pulp (0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, 8%, and 10%) with seven replications of 23 birds each. The inclusion of citrus pulp in the diet of broilers from 1 to 21 d of age did not significantly affect organ weight and intestinal morphology (P > 0.05). However, the citrus pulp can be used up to 10% inclusion in diets for broilers from 1 to 42 d of age, without impairing broiler performance, carcass yield, intestinal morphometry, and meat quality. For lipid oxidation, samples of thigh were used in a 6 x 4 factorial design (six dietary levels of citrus pulp and four storage periods) with four replications. In the treatments with 10% citrus pulp, the phenolic compounds present in the by-product led to a delayed and reduced oxidation.