Influence of cashew nut bran on performance in vivo, plasma and meat composition in goats.

In order to verify the effect of cashew nut bran supplementation on performance and characteristics of plasma and meat in goats, twelve local weaned (5-6 month) male goats with similar (mean ± SEM) live weight (14.3 ± 1.1 kg) were used. For six months, two groups (n=6) were submitted to two diets, without (WC) or with 13 % cashew nut bran supplementation (SC). The rations were offered at 2.5% of BW and corrected every seven days. Immediate before slaughter, blood samples were collected by venipuncture in order to determine cholesterol, lipids and protein concentrations in the plasma. After slaughter Longissimus dorsi muscle was removed for cholesterol, total lipid and protein levels analyses. During the experimental period the mean daily weight gain(mean ± SEM) recorded was similar for WC and SC groups (66.1 ± 14.9 g vs. 53.9 ± 11.4 g, P > 0.05). Results showed a significant increase (P < 0.05) for total lipids concentrations in plasma and meat in SC. However the cholesterol and proteins levels were statistically similar between groups (P > 0.05). In conclusion supplementation with cashew nut bran did not affect the in vivo performance of goats. In addition cashew nut bran increased the lipid amounts in plasma and meat but did not modify the protein and cholesterol levels.