Moringa Leaf Silage: A Local Feed Innovation to Improve Boer Goat Meat Quality
Keywords:
Moringa oleifera, leaf silage, goat meat quality, fatty acid profile, sustainable feedAbstract
Moringa oleifera leaf silage (MLS) has emerged as a promising local feed resource for small ruminant production systems in tropical regions due to its high crude protein content, balanced amino acid profile, and abundance of bioactive antioxidant compounds. This study evaluated the effects of dietary inclusion of MLS on growth performance, carcass characteristics, and meat quality attributes of growing goats. Twenty-four male Boer goats were assigned to either a control diet based on conventional forage and concentrate or a diet supplemented with MLS for a 12-week feeding period. Parameters assessed included average daily gain, carcass weight, proximate composition of meat, fatty acid profile, and lipid oxidation levels. Goats fed MLS exhibited significantly higher growth performance and carcass yield compared with the control group. Moreover, MLS supplementation improved intramuscular fat content and modified the fatty acid composition of goat meat, characterized by increased oleic and linoleic acid levels and a reduced n-6/n-3 ratio. Lipid oxidation values were significantly lower in meat from goats receiving MLS, indicating enhanced oxidative stability. These findings demonstrate that Moringa leaf silage can serve as a sustainable and locally available feed innovation capable of improving goat meat quality while reducing reliance on conventional protein sources. The use of MLS offers substantial potential for enhancing both livestock productivity and meat nutritional value in smallholder farming systems.
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