Effect of ricinoleic acid from castor oil (Ricinus communis L.) inclusion in equine diet on total apparent digestibility

摘要

The aim of the study was to evaluate the inclusion of ricinoleic acid deriving from castor oil as an additive in equine diet on total apparent digestibility. Eight Criollo adult horses, weighting 362.12+-16.15 kg, were distributed in 4 treatments: 0 gof ricinoleic acid per day; 1 g of ricinoleic acid per day; 2 g of ricinoleic acid per day, and 3 g of ricinoleic acid per day; distributed in two 4x4 Latin squares. Feces total collection was done with the animals in stalls, with concrete floor, without bed, during 5 consecutive days. There was no effect of ricinoleic acid on total apparent digestibility neither on dry matter nor on nutrients. The quantity of ricinoleic acid used in this study did not influence total apparent digestibility of equines.