Effect of Hibiscus seed-based diet on chemical composition,carcass characteristics and meat quality traits of cattle
This study investigated the effects of Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.) seeds inclusion in diet of cattle. Fifty-five Sudan Baggara bulls were selected and divided into five treatment groups, and fed iso-caloric and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets where groundnut cake was the source of protein in the control diet (0% Hibiscus seeds), while in the other experimental diets, Hibiscus seeds replaced groundnut at a rate of: 25, 50, 75, and 100%. The crude protein was significantly lower in the 100% group than in the control group, whereas muscle fat content was significantly lower in the 25, 75, and 100% groups than in the control group. There were no significant differences between the tested groups for the carcass linear measurements, but there were so for the redness and yellowness color components of the fat, water-holding capacity, and cooking loss. In conclusion, the growth performance and meat quality attributes of the cattle were improved as the level of Hibiscus seeds increased up to 75%, without any adverse effect.