Effects of the Inclusion of Dietary Bitter Gourd (Momordica charantia) on the Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Pigs: Potential Application in the Feed Chain

SIMPLE SUMMARY: One of the goals of the Feed Sustainability Charter is the inclusion of a circular feed concept in animal production. Although it is still not possible to replace traditional feed production, the supplementation of diets with alternative ingredients able to maintain animal production appears to be a promising step. This study investigated the effects of supplementing a commercial diet with leftovers (stems and leaves) of bitter gourd (6.5 or 13 g/kg) on the performance, carcass characteristics, and serum parameters of growing-finishing pigs. None of the tested inclusion levels of bitter gourd affected pig production, mortality, or carcass quality, as well as serum levels of urea, insulin, or leptin. In conclusion, bitter gourd leftovers can be included in the diet of growing-finishing pigs. ABSTRACT: The objective of this study was to determine the effect of bitter gourd (BG) leftovers (stems and leaves) as an alternative dietary ingredient on pig performance, carcass characteristics, serum parameters (urea, insulin, and leptin levels), and faecal consistency. Healthy Tempo × Great Yorkshire and Landrace pigs (N = 240; 120 gilts and 120 boars) weighing 25.8 kg (9–10 weeks of age) were randomly assigned to three treatments (eight pens per treatment; each pen with five gilts and five boars). The three treatments consisted of a non-supplemented commercial diet (control; CON) and a CON diet supplemented with 6.5 g/kg BG (BG1) or 13 g/kg BG (BG2). Pigs were fed the experimental diets until slaughter (120 kg body weight; BW). Feed intake was recorded daily and calculated for each experimental phase (i.e., days 0–36, days 36–66, days 66–98, and the overall experimental period). Average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily gain (ADG), and feed conversion ratio (FCR) were calculated. The frequencies of visiting the feed station and of feeding were recorded daily. Faecal scores (FS) for consistency were measured per pen twice weekly. On the day of slaughter, two pigs per pen (one male and one female) were randomly selected for the measurement of muscle thickness and blood collection. At the slaughterhouse, carcass weight, dressing percentage, back fat thickness, muscle depth, and lean meat percentage were recorded. Data were analysed using ANOVA, with the pen as the experimental unit. Diets BG1 or BG2 did not affect the performance of the pigs, except for a significant decrease in the ADG of the pigs fed the BG2 diet in the feeding period of 50–80 kg. However, no differences in performance were observed in the overall experimental period. Faecal scores, carcass quality, and serum levels of urea, insulin, and leptin were also not affected by the diet. In summary, leftovers (stems and leaves) of BG can be successfully added to the diet of growing-finishing pigs without interfering with performance and carcass characteristics.