Bioactive Compounds of Barbatimao (Stryphnodendron sp.) as Dietary Additive in Lamb Diets

This study aimed to evaluate barbatimao bark extracts as a feed additive and substitute for lasalocid sodium (LAS) for feedlot lambs. Lambs were distributed into three treatments: LAS (0.018 g of lasalocid sodium), DBB (1.500 g of dried and milled barbatimao bark), and BHE (0.300 g of barbatimao hydroalcoholic extract). There was no effect (p = 0.32) of the inclusion of DBB and BHE extracts on the average daily gain. Inclusion of BHE in lamb diets reduced (p < 0.05) the fatness score compared to LAS, which was similar to DBB. The BHE decreased the yellowness intensity and hue angle (p < 0.05) of meat compared to the LAS. Animals that consumed DBB and BHE had a reduced (p = 0.04) total cholesterol level. Thus, the use of barbatimao bark extracts can replace lasalocid sodium in the diet of feedlot lambs, with no detrimental effects on performance or metabolic parameters.

Automated summary

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of barbatimao bark extracts as a feed additive and substitute for lasalocid sodium on feedlot lambs. The results showed that the inclusion of barbatimao bark extracts did not affect the average daily gain of the lambs. However, it reduced the fatness score and improved the meat quality compared to lasalocid sodium. In addition, animals that consumed barbatimao bark extracts had a lower total cholesterol level. Therefore, barbatimao bark extracts can be used as a replacement for lasalocid sodium in the diet of feedlot lambs without detrimental effects.