Utilization of mineral and their content in longisimus dorsi muscle of lambs maintained on groundnut or mustard meal diets Tripathi M.K.*, Misra A.K., Mishra A.S., Karim S.A. Division of Animal Nutrition, Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar - 304 501, India *Reprint request: Dr. M.K. Tripathi, Tel.: +91-01437-20072; Fax: +91-01437-20163. E-mail: mktripathi@cswri.raj.nic.in
Abstract Twenty four weaner Avivastra (Russian Merino X Nali) male lambs were divided into two equal groups and fed concentrate mixtures containing groundnut meal (GN) or mustard meal (MM) to meet protein requirements. Ground cenchrus (Cenchrus ciliaris) was fed free choice to meet energy requirement. A digestibility trial of 7 days was conducted to assess mineral utilization. Animals were slaughtered after 90 days of experimental feeding to estimate mineral content of muscles. The content of Na was 1.25, 2.4 and 2.6; K 15.0, 19.9 and 2.6; Mg 3.4, 3.3 and 3.1 g/kg DM, respectively, in mustard meal, groundnut meal and cenchrus hay. The absorption of K and Mg was higher in MM fed lambs while Na absorption was higher in GN fed lambs. The Cu content was similar in groundnut and mustard meal. The Zn content was higher (45.36 mg) in groundnut meal, however, Mn was higher (87.5 mg/kg DM) in mustard meal. The absorption of Cu was higher in GN fed lambs than MM fed lambs. The Zn absorption was higher in GN lambs, while Mn absorption was higher in MM lambs. Muscle contents (g/kg) of Na, K and Mg were 7.1, 5.6 and 1.1 in GN group and 4.8, 6.6 and 4.7 in MM group, respectively. The Cu, Zn and Mn contents (mg/kg) were 2.76, 229.95 and 2.89 mg in GN group and 0.44, 189.25 and 2.36 mg in MM groups, respectively. The Na, Cu and Zn contents were higher in muscle of GN compared to that of MM fed lambs. It is concluded that macro (sodium, potassium and magnesium) and micro (copper and manganese) minerals were adequate in diet except zinc which was higher. Copper absorption was negative and muscle copper content was lower in lambs fed mustard meal containing concentrate mixture, this needs further investigations. Other minerals studied in muscle were adequate for human consumption. Top Key words Mineral utilization, Muscle minerals, Lambs. Top |