Ascorbic acid Supplementation Improves the Quality of Meat Characteristics in Sahel Bucks Exposed to Long Distance Road transport

This study assessed the meat quality of Sahel bucks treated with ascorbic acid and exposed to long term transportation stress during harmattan period. The animals were transported using; high and low stocking density. A total of 32 animals (16 for both the high and low stocking rate) were used for the study .Four goats were used in each of the treatment groups. Animals in groups 1, 2 and 3 were treated with ascorbic acid at 400, 300 and 200 mg/kg orally, while animals in group 4 were the control non-treated group. Ascorbic acid was administered prior and midway into the experimental journey. Twenty four animals were slaughtered, 3 from each group for assessment of goat meat (chevon) characteristics. Goats treated with 400mg and 200mg/kg ascorbic acid had higher dressing percentage compared to those treated with 300mg/kg (P 0.05). Excitatory score at slaughter was significantly (P 0.05) higher in group treated with 400mg/kg compared to groups treated with (200 and 300mg/kg). The ultimate pH in the group administered 400mg/kg was lower (P 0.05) compared to the other treatment groups (200mg/kg and 300mg/kg). The ultimate pH on dressing percent, excitatory score at slaughter and on ultimate pH of the meat at low stocking density is significantly (P 0.05) lower compared to the high stocking density. There was an interaction between the dose of ascorbic acid and stocking rate. The study showed that, ascorbic acid possesses anti-stress property that could be used to improve food animal welfare and chevon quality.