Effect of oil supplementation extracted from nontoxic purging nut (Jatropha curcas L) on carcass traits, tissue composition, muscle CLA concentration, and visceral mass of feedlot lambs

Abstract

The effects of purging nut (Jatropha curcas, JCO) supplementation (0, 2, 4, and 6%, DM basis of diet) on carcass traits, tissue composition and conjugated linoleic acids (CLA) concentration in muscle was evaluated in twenty intact male lambs fed a finishing diet during 56 d. The linoleic acid proportion in JCO was 50%. Lambs were harvested at a final weight of 54.03±2.9 kg. There were no treatment effects on hot carcass weight (HCW), longissimus muscle (LM) area nor kidney-pelvic fat. However, as JCO supplementation increased, dressing percentage was decreased and fat thickness was increased. Increasing JCO in diet decreases the proportion of muscle and increases the proportion of fat in whole shoulder clod. Content of stearic acid (C18:0) in LM was not affected by JCO. However, JCO linearly increased total CLA, and hence, the CLA:C18:0 ratio. Empty body or visceral mass were not affected by JCO. Increasing JCO in diet increases visceral fat mainly through increased mesenteric fat. It is concluded that supplemental JCO does not negatively affect HCW and LM area, and represents a viable alternative for increasing CLA concentration in meat of finishing feedlot lambs.