Effects of feeding Melilotus albus on growth performance, carcass traits, and meat quality of Hu sheep

This investigation sought to evaluate the effects of Melilotus albus (M. albus) instead of alfalfa hay on Hu sheep's growth performance, carcass traits, and physiological parameters. Twenty Hu sheep were randomly distributed into two dietary trials (n = 10) and fed a basal diet ad libitum for 80 d. One group was given a diet containing M. albus, while the other was given the basal diet, which involved alfalfa hay. According to the study, there were no significant differences in FBW, BWG, F/G, nutrition effectiveness, digestible energy, or ruminal papillae growth between animals fed alfalfa hay and M. albus. The research found no significant differences in pH, microbial protein, acetate, propionate, valerate, and acetate/propionate among treatments but significantly lower NH3-N, total volatile fatty acid, butyrate, and lactate levels in alfalfa hay animals. Also, the study revealed that animals fed M. albus had higher shear force in the longissimus dorsi but no significant differences in meat quality parameters like pH, water-holding capacity, brightness, and yellowness. Dynamic changes in microbial communities were discovered. Feeding M. albus affects the β diversity index but not the α diversity index. The LEfSe analysis revealed higher Firmicutes and Proteobacteria abundances in M. albus compared to alfalfa, as well as higher genus abundances of Ruminococcus, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group, and uncultured Marinifilaceae. Although melilotus clover has not affected the growth performance of Hu sheep compared with alfalfa, it is beneficial in improving the fatty acid composition of Hu sheep muscle. It affects the flavour and nutritional value of meat to a certain extent. Furthermore, the price of melilotus is low and can be supplied in large quantities to be used as an alternative to alfalfa.