No abstract

A study on the physical characteristics of buck West African dwarf (WAD) goat as influenced by post-mortem processing methods was carried out. Nine WAD (bucks) with an average weight of 18.00 0.65Kg were allotted to three post-mortem processing methods, viz: singeing, scalding and skinning, as treatments; in three replicates. The experimental model was the completely randomized design. Parameters measured were, carcass weights and measurements, primal or wholesale cuts, as well as temperature and pH of carcass. The results showed that singeing significantly (P<0.05) increased intact carcass weight from 5.64 Kg and 6.47 Kg recorded in the skinned and scalded carcasses to 6.48 Kg, and relative weight from 3.97 Kg recorded in both the skinned and scalded carcasses to 4.67Kg. Length of carcass was significantly (P<0.05) higher in the scalded carcass (36.67 Kg) compared to the skinned and singed carcasses which recorded 30.67 and 28.67Kg respectively. While, skinning recorded a significant (P<0.05) higher weight for depth of chest and maximum width of leg, having 17.67 and 13.67cm compared to singeing and scalding having 16.67cm each for depth of chest, 11.67 and 10.67cm respectively for maximum width of leg. Also, primal cuts yield of rack, neck, shoulder and shank were significantly (P<0.05) higher in singeing, while those of loin and leg were significantly (P<0.05) higher in skinning. Scalding recorded the least yields in all the primal parts measured. The study further revealed that temperature fall was significantly (P<0.05) higher in singeing, followed by scalding and least in skinning, as post-mortem time progressed from 0 – 60mins. While, fall in pH was also significantly (P<0.05) higher in singeing, followed by skinning and least in scalding, as postmortem time progressed from 0 – 60mins. By this result, singeing as a processing method should be adopted by meat processors and home consumers, as it recorded higher carcass weights and primal cuts among other post-mortem processing methods.

No abstract

A study on the microbiological analysis of beef meat collected at different hours of the day in Ekpoma market was carried out. 1 Kg of meat sample was purchased from the market at the different times (8 am, 12 noon and 5 pm) respectively. A part was cut into ten samples of ten grams each, which served as replicates. They were put in a clean polythene bag, labeled accordingly, and taken to the laboratory for microbiological analysis. Ten grams of the meat samples were weighed and homogenized into 90 mls of sterile distiller de-ionized water, using a sterile warring blender and ten folds dilution of the homogenates was made using sterile pipettes. Mean counts of total proteolytic bacteria count (TPC), total viable count (TVC), Coliforms, Salmonella spp, Pseudomonas organisms and Bacillus spp, were all determined in the collected samples. Results from the study showed that total proteolytic bacteria count (TPC) was significantly (P<0.05) higher in samples collected at 5pm having 7.867, compared with those collected at 12 noon and 8 am having 6.050 and 5.267 log10 CFU/g respectively. Total viable count (TVC) were significantly (P<0.05) lesser at 8am having 4.517, compared with 12 noon and 5 pm which recorded 5.520 and 7.723 log10 CFU/g respectively. Also, coliforms counts were significantly (P<0.05) higher at 5 pm when compared at 12 noon and 8 am, while Pseudomonas count recorded significantly (P<0.05) lesser value at 8 am having 1.193, compared with 12 noon and 5 pm which had 2.500 and 3.557 log10 CFU/g respectively. Total Bacillus counts also recorded a significantly (P<0.05) lesser values of 1.100 at 8am compared with 1.823 at 12noon and 3.030 at 5 pm, while those of Salmonella spp. recorded significantly (P<0.05) higher value of 3.030 at 5 pm compared with 3.283 and 2.937 log10 CFU/g recorded at 12 noon and 8 am respectively. This shows that microbiological analysis of beef meat were higher as the time (hours) of the day progressed. In conclusion, meat should be bought from the market in the early hours (8 am) of the day.

A feeding trial that lasted for 90 days was carried out to determine the effect of dietary supplementation of Eclipa alba and Polyalthia longifolia foliages on digestibility, feeding behaviour, blood profile and carcass characteristics of goats. A total of thirty two West African dwarf goats of about 7–8 months old were randomly assigned to four treatment diets. Each treatment was replicated four times with two goats per replicate in a completely randomized design. The four formulated treatment diets were, D1 (90% guinea grass with 10% maize straw), D2 (50% guinea grass with 10% maize straw and 40% Eclipta alba foliage), D3 (50% guinea grass with 10% maize straw 20% Eclipta alba  with 20% Polyalthia longifolia foliages) and D4 (50% guinea grass with 10% maize straw and 40% Polyalthia longifolia foliage). The results indicated that goats on D1 were significantly (P < 0.05) highest in eating rate, feed conversion ratio, urinary-N-output, urea and creatinine while cholesterol was greater in goats on D2. Crude fiber and ether extract digestibility with white blood cell was significantly (P < 0.05) higher for goats on D3 than other treatment diets. Feed intake, ruminating rate, live weight gain, dry matter with crude protein digestibility, nitrogen intake with retention, red blood cell, total protein, dressing weight and stomach were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in goats on D4 compared with those on D1, D2  and D3.  Eating with ruminating time, initial weight, faecal-N-output and most of the carcass cuts with relative organs showed no significant different (P > 0.05) among treatment diets. It could therefore be concluded that supplementation with Eclipta alba and Polyalthia longifolia foliages or their mixture in diets enhance digestibility, feeding behaviour, blood profile and carcass characteristics without any deleterious effect in goats.