Scientific Reports (Jan 2023)

Carcass traits and meat quality of goats fed with cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) silage subjected to an intermittent water supply

  • Gabriel Ferreira de Lima Cruz,
  • Edson Mauro Santos,
  • Gherman Garcia Leal de Araújo,
  • Paulo Sérgio de Azevedo,
  • Ítalo Reneu Rosas de Albuquerque,
  • Natália Matos Panosso,
  • Alexandre Fernandes Perazzo,
  • Anderson de Moura Zanine,
  • Daniele de Jesus Ferreira,
  • Anny Graycy Vasconcelos de Oliveira Lima,
  • Juliana Silva de Oliveira

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25923-7
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 13, no. 1
pp. 1 – 15

Abstract

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Abstract The effect of different proportions of cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica Mill) silage (CPS) and intermittent water supply (IWS) to crossbreed goats' diets on carcass traits and meat quality were evaluated. The IWS caused a reduction (p = 0.03) in the percentage of leg fat in the animals. The rib eye area, carcass weight, and physical–chemical characteristics were not affected (p > 0.05) by the CPS or IWS. The IWS reduced (p = 0.04) the elongase enzyme activity. The CPS inclusion in the diet reduced C22:0 (p = 0.01), some branched-chain fatty acid (BCFA), C20:1 (p = 0.03), c13-C18:1 (p = 0.01) fatty acids. Therefore, in situations of water scarcity, an intermittent water supply of up to 48 h and diets with up to 42% cactus pear silage, can be adopted in goat feedlot, without affecting carcass traits and meat quality.