Cottonseed in animal feed: First remove the gossypol

Cottonseed and cottonseed meal are widely used as protein supplements in animal feed. However, the benefits of cottonseed meal are mitigated by the drawback of high gossypol content. However, gossypol can be adsorbed by highly-refined montmorillonite enterosorbents, in vitro studies have shown. Gossypol is a polyphenolic yellow pigment in the cotton plant (Gossypium spp); it functions as a toxin to protect the plant from attack by some insects. The toxicity of gossypol extends to mammals, as we