Abstract

    In the present study, gossypol contents of cottonseed cakes (CSC), prepared from different varieties of cotton grown in the Punjab province of Pakistan, were determined. For this purpose, cottonseed cake samples were collected from 14 districts of the Punjab including Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Faisalabad, Jhang, Kasur, Khanewal, Lahore, Multan, Okara, Sahiwal, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh and Vehari. These samples were analyzed for the free and the total gossypol contents applying American Oil Chemist Society Official Methods, Ba 7-58 and Ba 8-78, respectively. The results showed that the free and the total gossypol contents of cottonseed cakes averaged 0.28 ± 0.02 and 1.44 ± 0.04 per cent, respectively. The highest values of the free and the total gossypol contents, 0.36 ± 0.02 and 1.59 ± 0.03 per cent respectively, were recorded in cottonseed cake samples collected from Vehari district, while the lowest values, 0.21 ± 0.01 and 1.29 ± 0.01 per cent respectively, were found in those collected from Lahore district. Analysis of variance revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in the free and the total gossypol contents of cottonseed cakes among districts. It was concluded that the free and the total gossypol contents of cottonseed cakes available in different parts of the province differed significantly (P<0.05).