Evaluation of Effect of Dietary Supplementation with Microencapsulated Hydrolyzed Tannins on Growth, Slaughter Performance, Meat Quality, and Lipid Metabolism of Zhongshan Shelducks

This study investigated the effects of microenapsulated hydrolyzed tannins (MHTs) on the growth performance and meat quality of Zhongshan shelducks. A total of 288 healthy Zhongshan shelducks with an average initial weight of 1790.27 ± 0.14 kg were randomly divided into four groups through a 56 d experiment period and were fed a basal diet supplemented with 0 (CON), 400, 800, and 1600 mg/kg MHTs, respectively. Results showed that 400 and 800 mg/kg MHTs improved the final body weight, average daily gain, glutathione peroxidase activity, and total antioxidant capacity compared to CON (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). The diet supplemented with 400 mg/kg MHTs decreased shear force and 800 mg/kg MHTs increased the yield of <i>pectoralis major</i> muscle compared to CON (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Dietary MHTs increased inosine monophosphate content and decreased percentage C14:0 content in meat; however, the b*45 min value, 48 h drip loss, and shear force were increased but the percentage intramuscular fat (IMF) content was decreased in <i>pectoralis major</i> muscle with the increase in MHTs (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Compared to CON, 400 and 800 mg/kg MHTs increased the percentage content of IMF, C18:1n-9, C18:2n-6, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and unsaturated fatty acids in <i>pectoralis major</i> muscle (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.05). Furthermore, 400 and 800 mg/kg MHTs improved the lipid metabolism of IMF deposition, fatty acid uptake, and adipogenesis by activating the <i>peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma</i> pathway to regulate <i>fatty acid synthetase</i> and <i>lipoprotein lipase</i> genes. In conclusion, diets supplemented with 400 and 800 mg/kg MHTs could improve growth, meat quality, antioxidant capacity, and lipid metabolism in Zhongshan shelducks.