Dried cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata) waste meal decreases blood cholesterol but does not alter growth performance, and physiological indices of weaned pigs

The study investigated the potentials of dried cabbage waste meal (DCWM) on growth performance, blood biochemical characteristics, physiological indices, and economics of production of weaned pigs. Ninety crossbred (Large white X Landrace; 8.01 ± 0.18 kg body weight) clinically certified weaned pigs of equal sexes were randomly allocated to five dietary treatments containing DCWM. Each treatment consisted of 18 pigs replicated thrice in a completely randomized design. Diet 1 (control diet) contained no DCWM whereas diets 2, 3, 4 and 5 had 50, 100, 150 and 200 g/kg levels of inclusion of DCWM, respectively, replacing parts of the feed. The study lasted for 8-weeks. Feed and water were available ad-libitum. Average daily feed intake (715.76–780.03 g/d) increased (p < 0.05) while average daily weight (294.17–301.74 g/d) and feed conversion ratio (2.39–2.65) were similar (p > 0.05). White blood cell (12.11–14.62 × 10(9)/L), lymphocytes (62.93–70.30%), Uric acid (7.74–9.99 mmol/L), HDL (0.89–1.27 mmol/L) and K (130.90–145.72 mmol/L) concentrations increased (p < 0.05) whereas cholesterol (2.30–5.06 mmol/L) and triglyceride (0.33–0.87 mmol/L) concentrations decreased (p < 0.05) in response to increased DCWM in the diets. Total cost of feeding ($17.96–20.89) reduced (p < 0.05) while gross benefits ($48.97–52.30) were significantly better (p < 0.05) for pigs fed 100, 150 and 200 g/kg DCWM compared to those fed 0 and 50 g/kg diets. DCWM in pig diets up to 200 g/kg had positive influence on blood cholesterol and economics of production.