The inclusion of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage increases the carcass weight and the content of unsaturated fatty acids in lamb meat

The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance and meat quality of lambs fed sugarcane silage containing increasing levels of detoxified castor bean meal (DCBM). Twenty-four Santa Ines male sheep were used, with initial body weight of 25.34 +/- 2.57 kg, distributed in a completely randomized design with four treatments (0, 70, 140, and 210 g/kg of DCBM in the sugarcane silage). Intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM) and crude protein (CP) were positively influenced (P < 0.05) by the levels of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.05) on the intake and digestibility of neutral detergent fiber with the inclusion of DCBM. The daily and total gains showed a quadratic effect (P < 0.05) with the inclusion of DCBM, with a maximum point of 241.64 g/d and 18.12 kg at the level of 161.9 g/kg of DCBM. There was a linear increase (P < 0.01) on the hot carcass with the inclusion of DCBM. The inclusion of DCBM did not influence (P > 0.05) the levels of total lipids (2.1%) in lamb meat, but the levels of oleic acid (C18:1 n-6c) and total monounsaturated fatty acids presented a quadratic effect (P < 0.05). It is recommended to include 160 g/kg of detoxified castor bean meal in sugarcane silage.