Effect of cottonseed oilcake inclusion on ostrich meat chemical composition.

Although ostriches were originally domesticated for the harvesting of their feathers, which was followed by high prices being paid for their skins, nowadays they are farmed to provide a healthy red meat. This study investigated the effect of replacing dietary soybean oilcake meal with increasing levels of cottonseed oilcake meal (CSOCM) on the meat (Iliofibularis muscle) chemical composition of ostriches in order to decrease total feed costs. Cottonseed oilcake, a textile industry by-product, offers an alternative to the commonly-used but more expensive soybean. The main problem that has limited its utilization in animal nutrition thus far is the presence of gossypol, a toxic polyphenol naturally found in the pigment glands of the cottonseed. A total of 105 ostriches were divided into five feeding groups according to the CSOCM inclusion level: Control (0% CSOCM), 3%, 6%, 9% and 12% CSOCM, and fed with experimental diets from 6 to 13 months of age. The proximate composition, cholesterol content, mineral and fatty acid profile of the meat remained unaffected. Considering all the results, CSOCM may be used as an alternative protein source to the more expensive soybean oilcake meal in ostrich nutrition.