Department of Animal Science

The use of sweet potato (Ipomoea Batatas) starch as binder in beef and pork frankfurter-type sausages

2021-01-08T09:43:44Z

The use of sweet potato (Ipomoea Batatas) starch as binder in beef and pork frankfurter-type sausages Teye, M.; Teye, G.A This study was conducted to find an alternative ingredient for use as a binder in comminuted sausages. Sweet potato starch (SPS) was used to formulate products at three levels of inclusion (2%, 4% and 6% of minced meat) and compared with products formulated with polyphosphates (5g/kg meat) as binder, to determine the storability and sensory characteristics of the products. The single factor design was used in this study. Each treatment contained 3kg meat (2kg pork and 1kg beef). The products were formulated in duplicates, vacuum sealed in transparent polythene bags and refrigerated at 2°C for laboratory and sensory analyses. The results indicated that SPS up to 4% inclusion had no significant effect on cooking loss, meat flavour intensity, flavour liking and overall acceptability of the products. The 6% level of SPS inclusion however, significantly minimized the meat flavour intensity, flavour liking, overall acceptability and also increased cooking losses in the products. The use of SPS minimized the rate of lipid per-oxidation, but had no effect on the microbial quality of the products. It was cheaper using SPS up to 4% inclusion (US$55.12 or GH¢ 83.00) than polyphosphates (US$83.00 or GH¢125.00). SPS could be used up to 4% inclusion in meat products, to minimize formulation costs and consumers‟ worry over the excessive use of chemical ingredients in meat products 8p:, ill.

The productive performance of local chickens in three ecological zones of Ghana

2021-01-08T09:37:55Z

The productive performance of local chickens in three ecological zones of Ghana Hagan, J. K.; Bosompem, M.; Adjei, I. A. A survey was carried out in three Agro-ecological zones (coastal savannah, rain forest and guinea savannah) of Ghana to find out the productive performance of local chickens. A total of 180 local chicken keepers (60 each from the three zones) were randomly selected with the help of the Agricultural Extension Agents in the zones. Data were collected through the administration of pre-tested semi-structured questionnaires, direct observations and measurements of productivity indices. Data collected included clutch sizes, number of clutches per year, egg production per year with and without hatching, age at sexual maturity, flock size and composition, hatchability and chick survival rates. Egg and body weights of birds were measured. Results obtained showed an average flock size per household of 17.5, 24.3 and 11.7 for the coastal, forest and savannah zones respectively, with an estimated inbreeding coefficient of 0.04. The mean clutch number was 3.0 with a clutch size of 12.8 eggs. The local birds were found to reach sexual maturity at 5.7 and 6.4 months for cocks and hens respectively. The annual egg production with hatching was 38 eggs with an egg size of 41.3g and 84.5% hatchability rate. The birds were found to be reared under the traditional extensive system with little or no care. Diseases (Newcastle), predation and theft were found to be the main causes of loss of bird or reduction in flock size. It is advocated that extra effort in the management and improvement of local chickens in the areas of housing, breeding, feeding and health care can go a long way to improve the productive performance of local chickens in Ghana 6p:, ill.

The potential of soya oil and egg-yolk as sources of fat in beef sausages

2021-01-08T09:33:01Z

The potential of soya oil and egg-yolk as sources of fat in beef sausages Teye, M.; Teye, G.A.; Odoi, F.N.A. A study was conducted to assess the effects of less-saturated fats [Egg yolk (EY) and soya oil (SO)] on characteristics and acceptability of beef sausages. Each of the fats was incorporated in beef sausages at three levels (5%, 10% and 15%), and compared with products formulated with only lean beef (Control). Fresh boneless beef was obtained and thoroughly trimmed of excess visible fats, and then minced. The minced beef was divided into portions of 4kg, and were randomly assigned to the fats. The fats were then mixed with the minced meats and allowed 15 minutes for the meat to absorb the fat. The products were formulated and evaluated for their sensory characteristics using BSI (1993) method, and storability by laboratory analyses. Addition of both fats up to 15% improved (P0.05) on flavour liking and reduced acceptability of the EY3 products. Increasing levels of SO improved (P0.05) effect on product storability. Comparatively, inclusion of SO up to 15% in beef sausages was preferred (P

The growth and reproductive performance of different breeds of rabbits kept under warm and humid environments in Ghana

2021-01-08T09:27:42Z

The growth and reproductive performance of different breeds of rabbits kept under warm and humid environments in Ghana Apori, S.O.; Hagan, J.K.; Osei, D. The potential of rabbit production in solving the problem of inadequate animal protein supply cannot be overemphasized. A study was therefore conducted to assess the growth and reproductive performances on 488 bunnies and 87 does of Blue Vienna and 474 bunnies and 80 does of Chinchilla rabbits reared under hot and humid environment in Ghana. The reproductive performance of the two breeds, in terms of litter size at birth and weaning, litter weight at birth and weaning, kindling interval, age at first kindling and gestation length as influenced by season of kindling (rainy and dry), year of kindling (2005-2012) and parity (first to sixth and over) were determined. The overall least square means for litter size at birth, bunny weight at birth, litter size at weaning, bunny weight at weaning, gestation length, kindling interval, age at first kindling, preweaning growth rate and post-weaning growth rate of Blue Vienna were 5.6±0.1, 51.3±0.3 g, 4.4±0.1, 601.5±0.9 g, 30.0±0.1 days, 94.7±0.4 days, 159.7±0.4 days, 13.1±0.1 g/day and 15.4±0.1 g/day respectively. Those of Chinchilla were 5.9±0.1, 54.2±0.3 g, 4.8±0.1, 601.9±0.9 g, 30.1±0.1 days, 94.6±0.3 days, 159.8±0.2 days, 13.0±0.1 g/day and 15.3±0.2 g/day respectively. Year of kindling had significant (P<0.05) effect on litter size at weaning, litter weight at kindling, gestation length, age at first kindling, post weaning growth rate, body weight at 14 weeks and mortality in both breeds. Season of birth on the other hand had significant effect (P<0.05) on litter weight at birth, gestation length and mortality in both breeds. The number of times the doe has kindled (parity) significantly (P<0.05) influenced all the parameters apart from kindling interval, gestation length, age at first kindling and pre-weaning growth rate performance of both breeds. The growth performances of the breeds studied were indications of their potential of being developed in future into meat types 9p:, ill.