Effects of ferulic acid on growth performance,serum biochemical indexes,and meat quality of finishing pigs

GAO Congyou; XU Qianming

doi:10.13557/j.cnki.issn1002-2813.2025.03.008

Abstract：The experiment aims to explore the effects of different levels of ferulic acid on the growth performance,serum biochemical indexes,and meat quality of finishing pigs.A total of 240 healthy'Duroc × Landrace × Yorkshire'finishing pigs were selected,and randomly divided into four groups,with six replicates in each group and 10 pigs per replicate.Each group of finishing pigs was fed experimental feed supplemented with 0,200,400,and 800 mg/kg ferulic acid.The pre feeding period was seven days,and the formal experimental period was 60 days.The results showed that compared with the control group,400 and 800 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly increase the average daily weight gain of finishing pigs(P＜0.05),and significantly reduce the feed to gain ratio(P＜0.05).400 and 800 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly reduce the activity of lactate dehydrogenase in serum of finishing pigs(P＜0.05),400 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly reduce the levels of triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum(P＜0.05),while 200 and 400 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly increase the levels of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol in serum(P＜0.05).400 and 800 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly increase the carcass weight of finishing pigs(P＜0.05),and 400 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly increase slaughter rate and eye muscle area(P＜0.05).400 and 800 mg/kg ferulic acid could significantly increase the muscle pH24h value of finishing pigs after slaughter(P＜0.05),and the shear force of muscles in all ferulic acid groups was significantly reduced(P＜0.05).400 mg/kg of ferulic acid could significantly increase the elasticity and adhesiveness of finishing pig muscles(P＜0.05).The results show that 400 mg/kg ferulic acid has the best effect on improving the growth performance,body health,and meat quality of finishing pigs.