Effect of dietary carob wholemeal on blood parameters in weaned pigs

Sa？etak The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary carob wholemeal (Ceratonia siliqua L.) through monitoring the changes in some blood parameters (RBC, LEU, CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, CD21+) on the growth and development of weaned pigs (Swedish Landrace and Yorkshire cross-breeds). Thirty pigs were divided into two groups. In the control group the pigs were fed with a standard feed mixture. In the second, the experimental group (EXP), the feed mixture was enriched daily with carob wholemeal in a dose of 40 g/ kg diet. Both groups were fed ad libitum. At the end of the 42-day experiment the pigs in the EXP groups were on average 23% heavier. The total sugar content, total phenolic content, flavonoids, anthocyanins, tannins and total antioxidant content of the carob wholemeal was determined. Carob wholemeal contains high carbohydrate content (73%). The total phenolic content value was 9.98 ± 0.18 mg GAE/g. The total flavonoid value was 6.56 ± 0.19 mg GAE/g, or 65% of total polyphenols, from which it can be seen that antioxidant activity is correlated to the total phenolic content. The total anthocyanins content was 34.00 ± 0.07 mg CE/g while the total tannin content was 658.75 ± 18.75 μg TAE/g. The ABTS method values were 89.50 ± 0.17 μmol TE/g sample while antioxidant activity determined by the DPPH method was 56.87 ± 0.66 μmol TE/g sample. Carobsupplementation did not affect the amount of red blood cells and leucocytes, but did affect the proportions of the proliferation rate of CD45+ lymphoid cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells and CD21+ B cells in peripheral blood. Between days 14 and 42 an increase in the proportions of CD45+, CD4+, CD8+, CD21+ cells (at p≤0.05 or p≤0.01, respectively) was observed. Dietary supplementation of weaned piglets with 4% carob wholemeal showed an advantageous or beneficial effect on the immunity and productivity of the weanlings