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Solid-State Fermented Discarded Dates as a Functional Feed Ingredient: Effects on Meat Quality, Fatty Acid Profile,
Ali Mujtaba Shah1, Dongxu Xia2, Wence Wang1
1State Key Laboratory of Swine and Poultry Breeding Industry, College of Animal Science, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China.
Veterinary Sciences
|July 28, 2026
Summary
Solid-state fermentation upgrades discarded dates (DD) into a valuable goat feed ingredient. Fermented DD improved goat growth, meat quality, and antioxidant status, offering a sustainable solution for agricultural waste.
Area of Science:
- Agricultural Science
- Animal Nutrition
- Food Science
Background:
- Palm fruits generate significant agricultural waste, with over 20% of discarded dates (DD) being of inferior quality.
- Valorization of DD is crucial to mitigate economic losses and reduce environmental impact.
Purpose of the Study:
- To upgrade the nutritional quality of DD using solid-state fermentation (SSF).
- To evaluate the potential of SSF-treated DD as a functional feed ingredient for goats.
Main Methods:
- Twenty-four male goats were assigned to three dietary groups: control, 10% raw DD (D1), and 10% SSF-DD (D2).
- Evaluated growth performance, rumen fermentation, blood biochemistry, antioxidant status, meat quality, and fatty acid profiles.
Main Results:
- SSF-DD inclusion significantly enhanced average daily gain, final body weight, and feed efficiency.
- Rumen fermentation, total protein, albumin, and globulin levels increased; antioxidant status improved with SSF-DD.
- Meat tenderness, water-holding capacity, protein, fat, and essential amino acid content improved with SSF-DD.
Conclusions:
- Solid-state fermentation effectively upgrades discarded dates for goat feed.
- Incorporating SSF-DD into goat diets is a sustainable strategy to improve animal performance and meat quality.
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