Chevon characteristics of goats fed diets with water washed neem ( Azadirachta indica) seed kernel cake

Abstract

Neem seed kernel cake (NSKC), a protein rich (34–40% CP) by-product of the oil industry in developing countries, is not suitable for livestock feeding due to the presence of bitter and toxic triterpenoids. It was water washed (WWNSKC) and fed to 15 male growing goats of 5–6 months old, divided into three equal groups in a completely randomised design, for 180 days as a major source of protein by incorporating it at 15% (Group II) and 25% (Group III) in the concentrate mixture and compared with a control (Group I) diet which contained mustard ( Brassica sp.) meal as protein source, with oats ( Avena sativa) hay ad libitum as sole source of roughage. Incorporation of WWNSKC in diets of goats even up to 25% did not significantly effect the dressing percentage on empty BW (42.2–43.8%) and slaughter weight (51.2–51.9%) basis. Weight and percent yield of wholesale cuts (neck, shoulder, breast and shank, rack and legs) on WWNSKC feeding were comparable with those of conventional oil cake fed goats. Though non-significant between 15 and 25% WWNSKC fed goats, the carcasses from these goats were significantly leaner than those from control diet fed goats as evidenced by higher proportion of meat in cuts and whole carcass, wider bone/meat ratio and larger loin eye ( longissimus dorsi, LD) muscle area. Fat (EE) % in LD muscle significantly decreased with incorporation of WWNSKC, probably due to an antihyperglycaemic effect of residual neem bitters left in washed cake. Organoleptic evaluation of pressure cooked (with and without salt) LD muscle on a seven point Hedonic scale by a panel of 15 semi-trained judges did not reveal any untoward bitter taste due to WWNSKC feeding. Thus NSKC after water washing can be a suitable vegetable protein substitute in diets of goats for profitable chevon production in developing countries, for mitigating chronic shortage of oil cakes for livestock feeding.