Optimization strategies for mulberry leaf powder supplementation in Zhedong White Geese diets: an analysis of growth performance and meat quality

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of mulberry leaf powder (MLP) supplementation on the growth performance, serum biochemical markers, antioxidative capacity, and meat quality in Zhedong White Geese. With a focus on identifying the most beneficial MLP dosage, the study aimed at examining its capacity to improve poultry health and meat characteristics, supporting sustainable and health-oriented approaches to poultry farming. In this study, we allocated 240 healthy, 35-day-old Zhedong White Geese into four groups to examine the effects of differential MLP dosages (0%, 1.50%, 2.25%, and 3.00%) incorporated into their diets. Each groups consisted of six replicates, each containing ten geese, each group consisted of an equal number of male and female geese to ensure sex parity. The investigation focused on evaluating growth performance indicators, conducting serum biochemical analyses, assessing antioxidative capacities, and determining meat quality. The findings revealed that geese in the 1.50% and 2.25% MLP groups exhibited marked improvements in final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) compared to the control group (p < 0.01). However, there was no significant difference in ADG between the control group and the 2.25% MLP group. Although feed-to-gain ratio (F/G) in these groups showed positive trends, they did not achieve statistical significance (p > 0.05). Serum analyses showed a significant upsurge in total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) levels for the MLP-supplemented groups (p < 0.05), indicating enhanced antioxidative capacity. Furthermore, carcass trait evaluation demonstrated a significant increase in breast muscle yield (p < 0.05) and a decrease in shear force (p < 0.01) at 1.50% MLP supplementation. Texture Profile Analysis (TPA) showed significant ameliorations in the textural attributes of breast muscle, notably as reduced hardness and chewiness, at the 1.50% MLP dosage (p < 0.05). In contrast, the 3.00% MLP supplementation group exhibited a significant decrease in final body weight (FBW) and average daily gain (ADG) (p < 0.05), indicating that a higher dose of mulberry leaf powder may negatively impact growth performance and did not yield significant improvements in muscle texture (p > 0.05). To summarize, the study suggests that MLP supplementation, particularly within the 1.50% to 2.25% range, substantially bolsters growth performance and meat quality in Zhedong White Geese, with 1.50% MLP dosage being especially efficacious in refining muscle texture.