Physiological Evaluation of Solvent‐Treated Cottonseed Meals in Rations for Laying Hens

Abstract

Abstract Two commercial cottonseed meals, a direct solvent‐extracted meal and a screw‐pressed meal, were subjected to successive solvent‐extraction procedures by using an acetone/hexane/water azeotrope to reduce their cyclopropenoid fatty acid content. The two original commercial meals, as well as a double‐ and triple‐extracted portion, were then incorporated at 20 wt % levels in the rations of laying hens. A negative control containing 25% soybean meal and a positive con‐trol containing 2 % refined cottonseed oil of known CPA content were also employed. During a four‐week feeding period the eggs were collected dur‐ing the third and fourth week and stored at 35F for periods of three and six months. Over‐all egg quality and the fatty acid distribution of the extracted yolk lipids were determined after the three‐ and six‐month storage period.