Cottonseed meal is a type of meal that is widely used in poultry diet after oil-pressing. The nutritional value of this meal depends on its protein content. Cottonseed meal is the by-product of oil extraction from cottonseeds. As a protein-rich feed, cottonseed meal is a common source of protein for ruminants. In general, its protein is deficient in the amino acid cysteine, methionine and lysine, calcium and carotene. The most important limitation of its use for animal feed and monogastric feed is the presence of gossypol that is as anti-nutritional substance.

When cotton flower seeds are cut, there are dark particles that are may vary in color from yellow to reddish brown. These colored particles contain various pigments; one of these pigments is gossypol. Gossypol is a yellow polyphenolic pigment that has acidic properties. If it is accumulated in large amount, cause poisoning. So, the main reason for this subject is the presence of large number of raw fibers and gossypol that you know gossypol is a polyphenolic pigment and it has yellow color.

In most meal, the amount of gossypol is 1%, that only about 0.1% will be free gossypol.

Due to high level of protein in cotton seed meal so, it is used in fodder and for poultry and livestock feeds.

One point that we need to know about cotton seed meal is related to amount of protein that is used for livestock feed. Cotton seed meal contains substance called gossypol pigment, which causes poisoning in livestock, so it should not be used alone for fodder.

Cotton seed meal due to amino acid lysine, tryptophan and nonvitamins and high protein is welcomed by stockman and breeders. All types of meal are supplied by KIMIYA ZARI JAHAN POSHESH.