Effect of partially replacing dietary barley with 20% carob pulp on post-weaning growth, and carcass and meat characteristics of Comisana lambs.

Sixteen male Comisana lambs were divided into two groups of eight at age 45 days. One group received a commercial pelleted diet (control) and the other group (carob) received a diet in which 20% carob pulp was used in partial replacement of barley. The animals were slaughtered at 100 days. No significant differences were observed for live weight, although the carob group ate 14% more dry matter, showing a higher conversion index (2.68 and 3.22kg dry matter per kg weight gain respectively for control and carob). The dressing percentage was higher (p < 0.05) for the control group; however, the carcasses showed no differences in the European classification system. Lightness (lean colour) was the only meat quality parameter (p < 0.05) affected by diet treatment: the carob group lambs had a higher L (∗) value. This could not be attributed to ultimate pH, which was not significantly different between the two groups. In triangle tests, sensory panelists were unable to distinguish one diet treatment from the other. Instrumental tenderness was also unaffected by diet treatment.