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Abstract

There are claims of differences in palatability between captive bred and wild grasscutter meat. This study compared nutrient, mineral composition, and palatability of captive bred versus wild grasscutter meat. Eight young captive grasscutters were compared with six wild grasscutters. The animals were weighed, slaughtered, roasted on open fire, washed with water and sectioned. The heart, neck, chest, hip, shoulder, and stomach region were used for determination of proximate composition, while leftover carcases were used for palatability test. Proximate and statistical analysis revealed that slaughter weight of captive and wild grasscutters was similar (P > 0.05). The crude protein, calcium, phosphorus and iron content were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in wild grasscutter meat while fat and moisture content were significantly higher (P < 0.05) in captive grasscutter meat. Wild grasscutter meat was also more palatable than that of the captive one owing to variations in protein, fat, moisture content and organoleptic properties. Therefore, feeding of captive grasscutters should be improved to compensate for nutrient deficiencies. Late weaning should be encouraged to enable young grasscutters acquire enough calcium and phosphorus from breast milk, and semi-intensive method of housing should be adopted to promote exercise, which could reduce fat in captive grasscutters.