Utilização do farelo do resíduo do guaraná (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) na alimentação de ovinos confinados

Abstract

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of including guarana residue meal (Paullinia cupana var. sorbilis) in the diet of feedlot sheep on productive performance, ingestive behavior, blood biochemical parameters, and carcass characteristics. Sixteen non-castrated mixed-breed male sheep, approximately 180 days old and with an average initial body weight of 23.06 ± 1.86 kg, were used in a completely randomized design with two treatments and eight replicates. The treatments consisted of diets containing 0% and 20% guarana residue meal as a partial replacement for corn. Diets were formulated to be isoenergetic and isonitrogenous, containing 20% Mombasa grass hay and 80% concentrate. The experimental period lasted 45 days, including 15 days for adaptation and 30 days for evaluations. Dry matter intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, ingestive behavior, serum biochemical parameters, and quantitative carcass traits were assessed. No significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed between treatments for any of the evaluated variables. However, a numerical increase in average daily gain and an improvement in feed conversion ratio were observed in animals fed the diet containing guarana residue meal. Biochemical parameters remained within the physiological range for the species. It was concluded that the partial replacement of corn with up to 20% guarana residue meal does not impair productive performance, ingestive behavior, blood metabolism, or carcass characteristics of feedlot sheep, representing a viable nutritional alternative for small ruminant production systems.