Evaluation of mushroom waste compost on broiler body composition, nutrient absorption and adipose metabolism

Abstract

Mushroom waste compost is the main byproduct when cultivating mushrooms. Containing many mycelia, it has a positive effect on animal health but its high fibre content may be detrimental to growth. In order to reduce the environmental problems caused by mushroom waste compost and possibly increase the use of agriculture byproducts, this study aimed to investigate the effects of replacing broiler feed withPennisetum purpureum schumcompost (PWMC) and its effect on meat quality and fat metabolism. Totally 240 broilers were used and allocated to 4 different treatments, including control group, 5% PWMC,Saccharomyces cerevisiaefermented PWMC (FPW) andPennisetum purpureum schum(PP). Each treatment had 3 replicates and 20 broilers in a pen. The results show that replacing 5% broiler feed with PWMC, FPW and PP decreased the depth of subcutaneous fat in broilers from 3.6 to 2.6, 2.7 and 2.8 mm, respectively (p = .0132). Furthermore, adipolysis mRNA expression increased in all treatment groups, slightly increasing breast and thigh meat accumulation. Overall, mushroom waste compost at 5% in broiler diets could improve the body composition of broilers and adipolysis-related mRNA expression.