Sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay in diets for goats: Performance, feeding behavior and carcass characteristics

Background: Novel feeding strategies should be developed to produce high-quality meat in current goat production systems. Objective: To evaluate the effects of castration and the association of spineless cactus with sugarcane bagasse or elephant grass hay on nutrient intake, digestibility, performance, feeding behavior and carcass traits of feedlot kids. Methods: A total of 24 male kids (12 castrated and 12 intact), with an average initial weight of 18.5 ± 3.8 kg were allotted to a completely randomized 2 x 2 factorial design (sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay; intact or castrated), and confined for 70 days. Results: Nutrient intake and animal performance were similar between treatments. Sugarcane bagasse increased, when compared to elephant grass hay, the digestibility of dry matter (66.12 vs 62.88; p=0.005), crude protein (74.26 vs 70.95; p=0.029) and non-fibrous carbohydrates (91.94 vs 83.07; p<0.001). The forage source affected the time spent resting, ruminating and total chewing time, but there was no effect of diet on feeding and rumination efficiencies. Elephant grass hay increased, when compared to sugarcane bagasse, hot carcass weight (9.87 vs 10.79; p=0.025) and hot carcass yield (43.81 vs 46.87; p=0.013). Intact kids produced heavier hot carcasses when compared with castrated kids (10.80 vs 9.86; p=0.014). Conclusion: Feeding intact or castrated kids with sugar cane bagasse or elephant grass hay do not affect nutrient intake and performance. Feedlot goats have improved carcass traits if kept intact and fed elephant grass hay.

Antecedentes: Se requiere desarrollar nuevas estrategias de alimentación para producir carne de alta calidad en los sistemas actuales de producción de cabras. Objetivo: Evaluar el efecto de la castración y asociación de palma forrajera con bagazo de caña de azúcar o heno de pasto elefante sobre la ingesta de nutrientes, digestibilidad, rendimiento, comportamiento de alimentación y caracteristicas de la canal de cabritos de engorde. Métodos: Un total de 24 cabritos (12 castrados y 12 intactos) con peso inicial promedio de 18,5 ± 3,8 kg fueron asignados a un diseño factorial 2 x 2 completamente al azar (bagazo de caña de azucar o heno de pasto elefante; castrados o intactos) y confinados durante 70 días. Resultados: La ingesta de nutrientes y el rendimiento animal fueron similares entre tratamientos. El bagazo de caña de azúcar aumentó, en comparación con el heno de pasto elefante, la digestibilidad de la materia seca (66,12 vs 62,88; p=0,005), de la proteína cruda (74,26 vs 70,95; p=0,029) y de los carbohidratos no fibrosos (91,94 vs 83,07; p<0,001). La fuente de forraje afectó el tiempo de descanso, de rumia, y el tiempo total de masticación, pero no hubo efecto de la dieta sobre la eficiencia alimentacia y de la rumia. El heno de pasto elefante aumentó, en comparación con el bagazo, el peso de la canal caliente (9,87 vs 10,79; p=0,025) y el rendimiento de la canal caliente (43,81 vs 46,87; p=0,013). Los animales intactos produjeron canales calientes más pesadas en comparación con los castrados (10,80 vs 9,86; p=0,014). Conclusión: La alimentación de cabritos enteros o castrados con bagazo de caña de azúcar o heno de pasto elefante no afecta la ingesta de nutrientes y el rendimiento. Los cabritos tienen mejores características de canal si se alimentan con heno de pasto elefante y se dejan enteros.

Antecedentes: Novas estratégias de alimentação devem ser desenvolvidas para produção de carne de qualidade nos atuais sistemas de produção de caprinos. Objetivo: Avaliar o efeito da castração e da associação da palma forrageira com o bagaço de cana de açúcar ou feno de capim elefante no consumo de nutrientes, digestibilidade, desempenho, comportamento ingestivo e características de carcaça de cabritos confinados. Métodos: Um total de 24 caprinos (12 castrados e 12 não castrados), com peso inicial médio de 18,5 ± 3,8 kg, distribuídos em um delineamento experimental inteiramente casualizado, em arranjo fatorial 2 x 2 (bagaço de cana de açúcar ou feno de capim elefante; inteiros ou castrados), confinados durante 70 dias. Resultados: O consumo de nutrientes e o desempenho dos animais foram semelhante entre os tratamentos. O bagaço de cana elevou, quando comparado com o feno, a digestibilidade da matéria seca (66,12 vs 62,88; p=0,005), proteína (74,26 vs 70,95; p=0,029) e carboidratos não fibrosos (91,94 vs 83,07; p<0,001). As fontes de fibra afetaram os tempos de ócio, ruminação e mastigação total, mas não houve efeito para as eficiências de alimentação e ruminação. O feno de capim elefante aumentou, quando comparado com o bagaço, o peso de caracaça quente (9,87 vs 10,79; p=0,025) e o rendimento de carcaça quente (43,81 vs 46,87; p=0,013). Os animais inteiros produziram carcaças quentes mais pesadas em comparação aos castrados (10,80 vs 9,86; p=0,014). Conclusão: Alimentar caprinos inteiros ou castrados com bagaço de cana ou feno de capim-elefante não interfere no consumo de nutrientes e desempenho. Caprinos confinados terão as características de carcaça melhoradas se mantidos intactos e alimentados com feno de capim elefante.

Multivariate optimization of a goat meat alkaline solubilization procedure using tetramethylammonium hydroxide for metals determination using FAAS.

In the present work, multivariate designs were used to optimize an alkaline dissolution, assisted by ultrasound energy, procedure of goat meat using tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH) aiming to determine Ca, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Na and Zn by flame atomic absorption (FAAS) and emission (FAES) spectrometry. The optimal conditions found for the dissolution were in the following ranges: 0.4-0.5 g for the sample mass, 12-15 min of sonication and using 700-1000 µL of 25% TMAH at a temperature of 50 °C. The obtained limits of quantification varied between 0.221 (Mg) and 7.60 (Ca) µg g-1. Accuracy was assessed by comparing the results obtained by applying the proposed method with the digestion in an acid medium using a digesting block and by analyzing bovine liver certified reference material. The application of a t-test revealed that, at a 95% confidence level, there were no significant differences between the values obtained.

Local Knowledge for Addressing Food Insecurity: The Use of a Goat Meat Drying Technique in a Rural Famine Context in Southern Africa.

Only 30% of households in Bairro Boroma (Boroma neighborhood) have a regular protein intake, mainly due to the lack of a proper cold chain. We analyzed the level of knowledge about a local dried meat called chinkui, examining the relationship between this knowledge and its value for strengthening local food security. Through surveys of Bairro Boroma goat herders (n = 23) about "chinkui awareness" and passive observation of chinkui preparation (n = 5) from local biotype goats, we found that chinkui was known to most goat herders (91.3%), but was used only irregularly, mainly because knowledge transmission has decreased over time. From passive observation, we found that the amount of dried meat obtained from an animal rarely exceeded a yield of 10% and its performance and safety depended on weather conditions and the absence of other animals in the area of preparation. It is, therefore, recommended to strengthen initiatives to increase the amount of chinkui, based on local knowledge, so as to enhance its frequency of consumption and the possibility of using it as a sustainable alternative source of protein.

Optimization of the protein extraction method of goat meat using factorial design and response surface methodology.

Protein extraction from goat meat was carried out based on the combination of response surface methodology and factorial design to optimize the variables: temperature (25-50 °C), extraction time (8-20 min), volume (3-10 mL) and extractor concentration (0.05-0.1 mol L-1). The proposed model did not present a lack of fit, explaining 96% of the total data variance (R2 = 0.96). The optimum extraction conditions were: 0.05 mol L-1 for extractor concentration, extraction time of 10 min, temperature of 44 °C and extractor volume of 3.5 mL. The protein content (19.3 g/100 g) obtained by the optimized method was higher than some results reported in the literature. HPLC-SEC-DAD analysis revealed that the extraction conditions used did not significantly modify the protein structure. The proposed method proves to be simple, fast, robust, cheap and adequate for native protein extraction, being a potential approach for proteomic research focusing in goat meat.

Fatty acid composition of polar and neutral meat lipids of goats browsing in native pasture of Brazilian Semiarid.

Thirty six male goats grazing Caatinga native pasture were randomly assigned to 4 concentrate supplementation levels (0, 5, 10 and 15g/kg of body weight) and slaughtered after 120days. Longissimus muscle meat lipids were extracted and fractionated into neutral (NL) and polar (PL) lipids. Supplementation of grazing goats increased linearly (P<0.05) intramuscular fat (1 to 1.5% of meat) and NL (0.3 to 1% of meat) but decreased linearly (P=0.044) the PL (0.66 to 0.50% of meat). On NL, supplementation increased linearly (P=0.047) the proportion of c9-18:1 (31 to 40% of FA) with supplementation. On PL, supplementation reduced linearly (P<0.03) the dimethyl acetals, 18:3n-3 and most of long chain polyunsaturated FA (PUFA) proportions but increased linearly (P<0.001) the c9-18:1. Considering the total meat FA, supplementation led to an increase of the saturated and monounsaturated FA contents and a decrease of the long chain n-6 and n-3 PUFA contents.

Adding Value to Goat Meat: Biochemical and Technological Characterization of Autochthonous Lactic Acid Bacteria to Achieve High-Quality Fermented Sausages.

Quality and safety are important challenges in traditional fermented sausage technology. Consequently, the development of a tailored starter culture based on indigenous microbiota constitutes an interesting alternative. In the present study, spontaneously fermented goat meat sausages were created and analyzed using a physicochemical and microbiological approach. Thereafter 170 lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains were isolated and preliminary characterized by phenotypic assays. The hygienic and technological properties, and growth and fermentative potential of isolates using a goat-meat-based culture medium were evaluated. All strains proved to have bioprotective features due to their acidogenic metabolism. Almost all grew optimally in meat environments. LAB isolates presented proteolytic activity against meat proteins and enriched amino acid contents of the goat-meat-based model. The most efficient strains were four different Lactobacillus sakei isolates, as identified by genotyping and RAPD analysis. L. sakei strains are proposed as optimal candidates to improve the production of fermented goat meat sausages, creating a new added-value fermented product.

Meat quality and fatty acid profile of Brazilian goats subjected to different nutritional treatments.

This study evaluated the effect of feed restriction and goat genotype on meat quality. Three genotypes (Brazilian native breed Canindé; Brazilian native breed Moxotó; and F1 Boer crossbred animals obtained by crossing Boer bucks with local breed does) and three different feeding regimens (ad libitum fed, AL; restricted fed at 75% of the ad libitum, R.75; or restricted fed at 50% of the average ad libitum intake, R.50) were used. There was no difference (P>0.05) in chemical composition, total and soluble collagen, and shear force of the Longissimus lumborum muscle among genotypes. However, AL had greater amounts of soluble collagen and crude protein in the muscle (P<0.05) than R.75. No difference (P>0.05) was observed for the myofibrillar fragmentation index. The goat genotype presented few differences in their fatty acid profiles. However, goats fed ad libitum had a more favorable fatty acid profile for human health with greater concentrations of oleic acid, unsaturated fatty acids, and conjugated linoleic acid.

Utilização de diferentes culturas starter no processamento de embutido fermentado de carne de caprinos

The effect of different starter cultures in the processing of goat meat fermented sausages was evaluated by using pH, water activity and lactic acid production besides sensory acceptance and safety of final products were determined. Commercial starter cultures containing 1. Staphylococcus xylosus and Pediococcus pentosaceus; 2. a mixture (50:50) of two strains of Pediococcus sp 3. Lactobacillus farciminis, Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus were tested. During processing, fermented sausages containing the different starter cultures showed distinct behaviour in relation to pH, water activity and lactic acid production, although sensory acceptance did not present significative differences. The safety of products evaluated by calculation of hours-degree in obtaining the products indicated that all tested cultures resulted in safe products in relation to Staphylococcus aureus growth. Results showed that all tested cultures can be used for processing of goat meat fermented sausages.

O trabalho verifica o efeito de diferentes culturas starter no processamento de embutido fermentado elaborado com carne de caprinos, avaliando pH, atividade de água e produção de ácido lático além de determinar a aceitação sensorial e a segurança dos produtos finais obtidos. Foram testadas culturas comerciais contendo 1. Staphylococcus xylosus e Pediococcus pentosaceus; 2. mistura 50:50 de duas cepas de Pediococcus sp. e 3. Lactobacillus farciminis, Staphylococcus xylosus e Staphylococcus carnosus. Os embutidos fermentados contendo as diferentes culturas, apresentaram durante o processamento comportamentos distintos (p 0,05) em relação ao pH, atividade de água e produção de ácido lático, porém a aceitação sensorial não apresentou diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os atributos estudados. A segurança do processo avaliada por cálculo de graus hora indicou que todas as culturas forneceram produtos seguros, em relação ao microrganismo Staphylococcus aureus. Concluiu-se que todas as culturas podem ser utilizadas para o processamento de embutido fermentado de carne de caprinos.

Utilização de diferentes culturas starter no processamento de embutido fermentado de carne de caprinos

The effect of different starter cultures in the processing of goat meat fermented sausages was evaluated by using pH, water activity and lactic acid production besides sensory acceptance and safety of final products were determined. Commercial starter cultures containing 1. Staphylococcus xylosus and Pediococcus pentosaceus; 2. a mixture (50:50) of two strains of Pediococcus sp 3. Lactobacillus farciminis, Staphylococcus xylosus and Staphylococcus carnosus were tested. During processing, fermented sausages containing the different starter cultures showed distinct behaviour in relation to pH, water activity and lactic acid production, although sensory acceptance did not present significative differences. The safety of products evaluated by calculation of hours-degree in obtaining the products indicated that all tested cultures resulted in safe products in relation to Staphylococcus aureus growth. Results showed that all tested cultures can be used for processing of goat meat fermented sausages.

O trabalho verifica o efeito de diferentes culturas starter no processamento de embutido fermentado elaborado com carne de caprinos, avaliando pH, atividade de água e produção de ácido lático além de determinar a aceitação sensorial e a segurança dos produtos finais obtidos. Foram testadas culturas comerciais contendo 1. Staphylococcus xylosus e Pediococcus pentosaceus; 2. mistura 50:50 de duas cepas de Pediococcus sp. e 3. Lactobacillus farciminis, Staphylococcus xylosus e Staphylococcus carnosus. Os embutidos fermentados contendo as diferentes culturas, apresentaram durante o processamento comportamentos distintos (p 0,05) em relação ao pH, atividade de água e produção de ácido lático, porém a aceitação sensorial não apresentou diferença significativa (p>0,05) entre os atributos estudados. A segurança do processo avaliada por cálculo de graus hora indicou que todas as culturas forneceram produtos seguros, em relação ao microrganismo Staphylococcus aureus. Concluiu-se que todas as culturas podem ser utilizadas para o processamento de embutido fermentado de carne de caprinos.