Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Antinutritional factors (ANFs) are naturally occurring substances in plant ingredients that interfere with nutrient utilization or adversely affect animal performance.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
Gossypol is a toxic polyphenolic pigment found primarily in the seeds and glands of the cotton plant, which belongs to the family Malvaceae.
When cottonseed meal is used as a plant-protein replacement in fish feeds, free gossypol can cause physiological issues like liver damage, reduced growth, and anemia.
Mustard and rapeseed contain glucosinolates, soybean contains trypsin inhibitors, and spinach contains oxalates.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Therefore, gossypol is an antinutritional factor found in the cotton plant and other members of the Malvaceae family.