Oilseeds contain different constituents with antioxidant activity especially phenolic compounds and tannins, this study was conducted to evaluate the possible effects of some domestic processes such as dehulling, soaking, ordinary and pressure cooking, germination, fermentation and microwave heating on the contents of phenolic compounds and tannins in some oilseeds. The data revealed that oil seeds could be considered as a rich source of oils and proteins. Phenolic compounds contents of raw oil seeds were; 978.4, 968.0, 862.75, 915.0 and 1063.4 mg/100 g, while, tannin contents were; 510.0, 490.0, 457.0, 457.0 and 440.0 mg/100 g on dry weight basis in peanut, sesame, soybean, safflower and sunflower, respectively. All processing treatments reduced the phenolic compounds except dehulling of sunflower seeds which was increased by 9.6%. Dehulling of oil seeds reduced tannin content by 9-26.5%, while during cooking processes, tannin leaching out in cooking water resulted in a reduction in its content by 4.5-19.6% for ordinary cooking and 5.2-20.2% for pressure cooking. Germination and fermentation processes decreased tannin by 12.5-34.7 and 13.6-49.0%, respectively. Microwave heating treatment had an effect in removal of tannins from seeds than other cooking methods. The reduction ranged between 8.8-24.4% of its initial content in raw oil seeds. The study concluded that all processing treatments used in the study had an effect on the oilseeds content from both phenolic compounds and tannins.

Phytochemical plant tannins are phenolic compounds that interfere with biohydrogenation (BH) of monounsaturated-(MUFA) and poly-unsaturated fatty acids(PUFA). The objective of the present animal study was to investigate the effects of three different levels of phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark diet on fatty acid profiles of goat meat, with particular reference to MUFA and PUFA. The saturated fatty acids (SFA), PUFA, and PUFA/SFA ratios in subcutaneous adipose tissue as well as MUFA and PUFA composition of mesenteric kidney fat were increased with increasing phytochemical tannin-containing ground pine bark supplementation. The study showed that phytochemical plant tannins could be a means to moderate the accumulation of unsaturated fatty acids with the aim of improving percentage of these PUFA/SFA ratios in goat meat. The effects would be useful to improve carcass fatty acids composition and human health.

Twenty-two Kiko crossbred male goats (Capra hircus; initial BW = 27.5 ± 1.04 kg) were used in a randomized complete block design to determine the effects of feeding pine bark (PB; Pinus taeda L.) on animal performance, rumen fermentation, blood parameters, fecal egg counts (FEC), and carcass characteristics in goats. Experimental treatments included the control diet [0% PB plus 30% wheat straw (WS)], 15% PB plus 15% WS, and 30% PB plus 0% WS (on as-fed basis), where PB replaced WS. Freshly air-dried PB and WS were finely (1.5 to 3.0 mm) ground and incorporated in the grain mixes. Experimental diets provided a total of 1.9, 16.3, and 32 g of condense tannins (CT)/kg DM in 0%, 15%, and 30% PB diets, respectively. The grain mixes were fed daily at 85% of the feed offered, with remaining 15% consisting of Bermuda grass hay (Cynodon dactylon). Animals were fed once a day at 0800 h, and feed offered and refused was monitored for an 83-d performance period. Rumen and blood samples were collected at d 0, 50, and 80 of the study. Carcass traits were assessed after slaughter at the end of performance period. There was no difference in initial BW, hay, and total NDF intake among treatments; however, final BW (P = 0.06), ADG (P < 0.01), grain mix intake (P < 0.001), total DMI (P < 0.001), and G:F (P < 0.04) increased linearly as the PB increased in the diets. Rumen ammonia N, acetate, isovalerate and acetate-to-propionate ratio were reduced linearly (P < 0.05). There was no difference in carcass traits except cold carcass weight (P = 0.06), which tended to increase linearly in goats fed 15% and 30% PB. Breast, sirloin, trim trait, liver, and hide weight increased (linear; P < 0.01) with addition of PB. Blood basophils, alanine transaminase, aspartate aminotransferase, albumin, Na, and Cl concentrations decreased (linear; P < 0.02 to 0.01) as PB supplementation increased. Supplementation of PB reduced (linear; P < 0.01) average FEC. Addition of PB in the diets improved performance, reduced FEC, and favorably modified rumen fermentation.

Twelve purebred Boer and Kiko male goat kids (n=6) were randomly selected from a group of 24 counterparts for each breed to determine intake of forage vs. concentrate, growth performance, feed efficiency, different organ growths, and carcass quality. Three sire lines represented each breed group. Goat kids were weaned at 3 months of age and had average body weight (BW) of 24.6 and 22.8±1.34kg for Boer and Kiko kids, respectively. Goats were offered a commercial concentrate mix and bermudagrass hay at 80:20 ratio, respectively. Feed intake and growth performance were monitored for 85 days. At the end of the study goats were transported about 370km to Mississippi State University Meat Lab and were slaughtered according to USDA guideline. Upon slaughter, carcasses were evaluated and different organ weights were recorded. There was no difference (P=0.37) in initial BW for two breeds; however, final BW (P=0.09) and average daily gain (P=0.06) of Boer kids tended to be higher than Kiko kids. Although there was no difference in total dry matter intake (DMI; P=0.48), given a choice, concentrate intake tended to be higher (P=0.07) for Boer kids and hay intake was higher (P=0.05) for Kiko kids. Gain efficiency (gain:feed intake) tended to be higher (P=0.06) for Boer kids. Boer kids preferred less hay (23.1% vs. 31.5% DMI; P=0.004) and more grain (76.9% vs. 68.5% DMI; P=0.004) in their diet. There were no differences (P>0.10) in dressing percentage and carcass characteristics between two breeds, except Boer kids had higher fat thickness over 12th rib (P=0.04), higher total % fat (P=0.001), and lower total % bone mass (P=0.05) in carcass, with no difference in muscle mass (P=0.22) between breeds. All the body organs as a % of fasted BW were similar between two breeds, except Boer kids tended to have heavier head and scrotum (P=0.05). In conclusion, Boer kids preferred and consumed more grain and tended to have higher ADG than Kiko kids; however, they gained more fat, and less bone mass.

Chicory (Chicorum intybus) is becoming popular as a warm-season forage for ruminant livestock in the United States. A study was conducted with weaned crossbred meat goats to elucidate how growing / finishing meat goats grazing Joy chicory pasture respond to supplementation with varying levels of dietary protein. Thirty 6 weaned crossbred kids (26 ± 3 kg) were blocked by body weight and genotype and divided into 3 treatment groups. Each treatment group was replicated in 2 0.4 ha Joy chicory and native grass paddocks with 6 kids per paddock and supplemented with isocaloric grower / finisher ration containing 11, 16 or 21% crude protein for 56 d. The data generated from the study was subjected to Analysis of Variance for randomized complete block design. Grower / finisher ration intake (1.13, 1.31 and 1.31 kg / day) and cost (0.41, 0.51 and 0.51 dollars / day) for the 11, 16 and 21% protein supplemented groups, respectively) were not affected by protein content of the diet. Total live weight gain (7.7 kg) and average daily gain (145.0 g) for the16% protein level were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for the 11% (2.7 kg and 52.0 g, respectively) and 21% (6.0 kg and 113.0 g, respectively) protein levels. Feed cost per kg gain was significantly lower (P < 0.05) for the 16% protein level than for the 11 and 21% protein levels (3.5 versus 7.8 and 4.5 dollars / day, respectively). Boneless retail cut from the leg, loin, shoulder and rack followed similar trend as weight gain, being significantly higher (P < 0.05)for the 16% protein level than for the 11 and 21% while the 21% level was higher than the 11%. Back fat thickness and fat cover over the carcass tended to increase (P < 0.05) with protein level in the diet. It is concluded that optimum performance and return from meat goats grazing Joy Chicory is obtained when they are supplemented with 16% protein in the diet as compared with lower (11%) and higher (21%) levels.