Utilization of ensiled metabolizable mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure as energy source in broiler diets

An experiment was carried out in which dried cassava peel and dried caged layers’ manure mixed in ratio 5:1 (w/w) was ensiled for 14 days and the mixture used to partially replace maize, an expensive energy source in broiler diets in most developing countries at 0%, 25% and 50% dietary inclusion levels. The response of the birds to the different dietary inclusion of fermented mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure (FCPCLM) as it affected performance, carcass cut-parts, serum proteins and enzymes was monitored in a completely randomized design trial. The study also evaluated the cost of feed and the suitability of FCPCLM as an alternative unconventional source of energy in broiler starter diet. A total of 90 day old chicks of Anark breed were divided into three groups containing three replicates each. There were ten birds per replicate. Each group of birds were fed each of the dietary treatment ad libitum for 56 days, divided into starter phase (0 to 28 days) and finisher phase (29 to 56 days). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) protein efficiency ratio (PER), total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.1), alanine amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.2) and carcass cut parts were determined. Results showed linear increase (p<0.05) in feed intake, live weight, body weight gain, FCR, and PER for all the phases during the experiment. The serum proteins and enzymes were not (p>0.05) influenced by treatments. The eviscerated weight, wings, breast and large intestine length were higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. The cost of feed per kilogramme and cost per kilogramme flesh gained was lowest and best (p<0.05) in broilers chicks fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. Therefore, FCPCLM in broiler starter diet at 50% dietary level support good performance, enhanced gain in eviscerated weight and reasonable cost per kilogramme gain without any noticeable effect on the serum indices and enzymes hence can be recommended for use by poultry farmers on subsistence production.Key words: Fermentation, performance, carcass, cost, fee

Proximate composition and amino acid profile of rice husk biodegraded with Pleurotus ostreatusfor different periods

Native rice husk (NRH) was fermented with Pleurotus ostreatus for 7, 14 and 21 days to improve the nutritional values. The proximate composition and amino acid profiles were determined. The results showed that crude fibre (CF), nitrogen free extract (NFE), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) were significantly higher (p<0.05) in the NRH (with values 13.37%,42.93%, 17.45% and13.42%, respectively) while corresponding lowest values of 12.14%, 34.26%, 12.27% and 12.41% were obtained in the 14 days samples. Crude protein (CP) was significantly highest (p<0.05) in the 7 days fermentation (12.37%) but lowest in the 21 days (7.94%). The nitrogen free extract (NFE) values were similar and higher (p<0.05) in the NRH (control), 7 and 21 days fermentation that is 42.93%, 40.37% and 39.53%, respectively. The calculated metabolizable energy (ME) was similar and higher (p<0.05) for the fermented native rice husk at 7, 14 and 21 days that is 2289.19, 2308.77 and 2328.59 kcal/kg, respectively. Dry matter (DM), ash, calcium and phosphorous values were not influenced (p<0.05) by the fungi treatment of the NRH. Essential amino acids (EAA) values viz; lysine (4.94 g/100g), valine (7.34 g/100g), threonine (4.81 g/100g), isoleucine (4.83 g/100g) and phenylalanine (5.59 g/100g) were higher (p<0.05) in the 14 days fermentation with p. ostreatus while others that are non-essential amino acids (NEAA) in this group include alanine (7.06 g/100g) and tyrosine (4.12 g/100g). Glycine (6.02 g/100g), serine (5.18 g/100g), proline (4.85 g/100g), leucine (7.44 g/100g), glutamate (14.54 g/100g) and arginine (8.51 g/100g) values were higher (p<0.05) in the 21 days while aspartate (8.70 g/100g), histidine (2.37 g/100g), methionine (2.69 g/100g), tyrosine (4.20 g/100g) and cystine (2.09 g/100g) were higher (p<0.05) in the 7 days treatment. All the amino acids with the exception of glycine, alanine and aspartate had lowest (p<0.05) values recorded in the native rice husk. The total amino acids (TAA), total essential amino acids (TEAA), total non-essential amino acids (TNEAA) were all significantly higher in the 7 days fermentation (95.43, 45.01 and 50.42, respectively) and the lowest values in the NRH. Percent EAA followed the same trend while %NEAA was highest in the NRH. Fermentation of native rice husk for 7 days improved its nutritive value and consequently increased its usage as a component of livestock feed.Key words: Native Rice Husk, Fermentation, Proximate Composition, Amino Acid

In vitro Anticancer Screening of 24 Locally Used Nigerian Medicinal Plants

Background: Plants that are used as traditional medicine represent a relevant pool for selecting plant candidates that may have anticancer properties. In this study, the ethnomedicinal approach was used to select several medicinal plants native to Nigeria, on the basis of their local or traditional uses. The collected plants were then evaluated for cytoxicity. Methods: The antitumor activity of methanolic extracts obtained from 24 of the selected plants, were evaluated in vitro on five human cancer cell lines. Results: Results obtained from the plants screened indicate that 18 plant extracts of folk medicine exhibited promising cytotoxic activity against human carcinoma cell lines. Erythrophleum suaveolens (Guill. & Perr.) Brenan was found to demonstrate potent anti-cancer activity in this study exhibiting IC50 = 0.2-1.3 $\mu$g/ml. Conclusions: Based on the significantly potent activity of some plants extracts reported here, further studies aimed at mechanism elucidation and bio-guided isolation of active anticancer compounds is currently underway.Chemistry and Chemical Biolog

Performance and haematological evaluation of weaner rabbits fed loofah gourd seed meal (Luffa cylindrica [M.J. Roem]).

Twenty-four weaner rabbits of mean initial body weight of 554.8 ± 55 g, of New Zealand X Chinchilla cross breed were divided into four groups of three replicates with two rabbits each, in a completely randomized design experiment. They were fed experimental diets in which loofah gourd seeds ground into meal (LGSM) replaced soybean meal (SBM) on weight basis at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% dietary levels in a 56 day feeding trial. Performance, nutrient digestibility and haematological parameters were monitored. The feed intake though not significantly affected (P>0.05) ranged from 57.1 g at 15% inclusion of LGSM to 60.13 g for 10%. The values for the final body weight (1564.04 g), daily body weight gain (18.46 g), feed conversion ratio (3.26), and protein efficiency ratio (0.52) were similar for 5% and 10% inclusion of LGSM and significantly highest (

Utilization Of Ensiled Metabolizable Mixture Of Cassava Peel And Caged Layers’ Manure As Energy Source In Broiler Diets

An experiment was carried out in which dried cassava peel and dried caged layers’ manure mixed in ratio 5:1 (w/w) was ensiled for 14 days and the mixture used to partially replace maize, an expensive energy source in broiler diets in most developing countries at 0%, 25% and 50% dietary inclusion levels. The response of the birds to the different dietary inclusion of fermented mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure (FCPCLM) as it affected performance, carcass cut-parts, serum proteins and enzymes was monitored in a completely randomized design trial. The study also evaluated the cost of feed and the suitability of FCPCLM as an alternative unconventional source of energy in broiler starter diet. A total of 90 day old chicks of Anark breed were divided into three groups containing three replicates each. There were ten birds per replicate. Each group of birds were fed each of the dietary treatment ad libitum for 56 days, divided into starter phase (0 to 28 days) and finisher phase (29 to 56 days). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) protein efficiency ratio (PER), total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.1), alanine amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.2) and carcass cut parts were determined. Results showed linear increase (p<0.05) in feed intake, live weight, body weight gain, FCR, and PER for all the phases during the experiment. The serum proteins and enzymes were not (p>0.05) influenced by treatments. The eviscerated weight, wings, breast and large intestine length were higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. The cost of feed per kilogramme and cost per kilogramme flesh gained was lowest and best (p<0.05) in broilers chicks fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. Therefore, FCPCLM in broiler starter diet at 50% dietary level support good performance, enhanced gain in eviscerated weight and reasonable cost per kilogramme gain without any noticeable effect on the serum indices and enzymes hence can be recommended for use by poultry farmers on subsistence production

Utilization of ensiled metabolizable mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure as energy source in broiler diets

An experiment was carried out in which dried cassava peel and dried caged layers’ manure mixed in ratio 5:1 (w/w) was ensiled for 14 days and the mixture used to partially replace maize, an expensive energy source in broiler diets in most developing countries at 0%, 25% and 50% dietary inclusion levels. The response of the birds to the different dietary inclusion of fermented mixture of cassava peel and caged layers’ manure (FCPCLM) as it affected performance, carcass cut-parts, serum proteins and enzymes was monitored in a completely randomized design trial. The study also evaluated the cost of feed and the suitability of FCPCLM as an alternative unconventional source of energy in broiler starter diet. A total of 90 day old chicks of Anark breed were divided into three groups containing three replicates each. There were ten birds per replicate. Each group of birds were fed each of the dietary treatment ad libitum for 56 days, divided into starter phase (0 to 28 days) and finisher phase (29 to 56 days). Feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) protein efficiency ratio (PER), total protein, albumin, globulin, aspartate amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.1), alanine amino transaminase (EC 2.6.1.1.2) and carcass cut parts were determined. Results showed linear increase (p<0.05) in feed intake, live weight, body weight gain, FCR, and PER for all the phases during the experiment. The serum proteins and enzymes were not (p>0.05) influenced by treatments. The eviscerated weight, wings, breast and large intestine length were higher (p<0.05) in birds fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. The cost of feed per kilogramme and cost per kilogramme flesh gained was lowest and best (p<0.05) in broilers chicks fed 50% replacement of maize by FCPCLM. Therefore, FCPCLM in broiler starter diet at 50% dietary level support good performance, enhanced gain in eviscerated weight and reasonable cost per kilogramme gain without any noticeable effect on the serum indices and enzymes hence can be recommended for use by poultry farmers on subsistence production

Performance And Haematological Evaluation Of Weaner Rabbits Fed Loofah Gourd Seed Meal ( Luffa Cylindrica { M.J.Roem})

Twenty-four weaner rabbits of mean initial body weight of 554.8 ± 55 g, of New Zealand X Chinchilla cross breed were divided into four groups of three replicates with two rabbits each, in a completely randomized design experiment. They were fed experimental diets in which loofah gourd seeds ground into meal (LGSM) replaced soybean meal (SBM) on weight basis at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 15% dietary levels in a 56 day feeding trial. Performance, nutrient digestibility and haematological parameters were monitored. The feed intake though not significantly affected (P>0.05) ranged from 57.1 g at 15% inclusion of LGSM to 60.13 g for 10%. The values for the final body weight (1564.04 g), daily body weight gain (18.46 g), feed conversion ratio (3.26), and protein efficiency ratio (0.52) were similar for 5% and 10% inclusion of LGSM and significantly highest (P<0.05) when compared to 0% and 15% replacement of soybean meal by the test diet. The percent dry matter digestibility at 15% inclusion (57.47%) and nitrogen digestibility values at the same dietary level (55.98%) were significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared to other inclusion levels of LGSM. However, the values were similar for other dietary levels of inclusion. Rabbits fed the control diets had the highest values (P<0.05) for ether extract digestibility (67.28%). Also 5% LGSM inclusion had the highest (P<0.05) crude fibre digestibility (65.51%). The mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular concentration and the mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration were not affected (P>0.05) by the inclusion of LGSM in rabbit diet, however the values of the packed cell volume (43.00%) and haemoglobin (12.57 g/dl), were higher for the 5% and 10% replacement of SBM by LGSM. The values recorded for the red blood cell count, white blood cell count, total protein, albumin and globulin were all similar for rabbits on the control diet, 5% and 10% LGSM inclusion levels but significantly higher (P<0.05) than those fed 15% LGSM in the diet. Rabbits fed 15% LGSM gave higher values for the blood urea (7.97 g/100ml) indicating wastage of the dietary protein. The investigation showed that rabbits fed 5% LGSM replacement for SBM exhibited a better performance when compared to other dietary levels of inclusion of the test diet

Evaluation of water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) as feed ingredient and yolk colouring agent in layers diets.

Sixty-four Black Harco breed of laying hens, 39 weeks in lay were fed water hyacinth Eichhonia crassipes at dietary levels of 0, 5, 10 and 15% for 56 days. The experiment had eight birds in each of the 2 replicates per treatment with the E. crassipes levels of inclusion as treatments. Parameters studied included body weight change, feed intake, egg weight, egg yolk colouration, egg shell thickness and feed conversion ratio (Feed/kg egg). The mean feed intake significantly decreased (P &lt; 0.05) among the mean values of 126.98, 127.29, 127.27, and 122.59 g/day for 0, 5, 10 and 15% inclusion levels respectively. The egg shell thickness increased significantly (P &lt; 0.05) among the mean values obtained i.e from 0.51-0.67 mm. However, egg weight changes, egg yolk colouration and feed conversion ration did not show any significant difference (P &gt; 0.05) among the respective means. E. crassipes appears to be optimally utilized at 5% dietary level in layers ration and could be used as pigmenter for egg yolk colouration at this level.Key words: Water hyacinth, feed ingredient, yolk colouring agent, old layer

The performance of rabbits fed diets containing water hyacinth (Eichhornia Grassipes) leaf meal

No Abstract

Determination of enegry values of locally produced palm kernel and coconut meal in growing poultry chicks

Fifty-four Warren Cockerels at four weeks of age were used for the energy evaluation of locally processed coconut meal and palm kernel meal (PKM). The birds were housed in an adapted layer cage, supplied with feed and water for a period of 21 days. The reference diet (Diet 1) contained 210.20gkg (I) crude protein. The PKM and coconut meal were used to replace 30% of the reference diet which constitute diets II and III respectively. The apparent metabolisable energy (AME) nitrogen corrected apparent metabolisable energy (AMEn), true metabolisable energy (TME) and the nitrogen corrected true metabolisable energy (TMEn) were monitored. Birds on the coconut meal diet recorded 12.55 MJKg1 AME, 11.10 MJKG1 AMEn, 12.50 MJKg1 TME, 11.36 MJKg1 TMEn which were significantly (P&lt;0.01) higher than 12.21 MJKg-1 AME; 9.97 MJKg-1 AMEn 11.22 MJKg-1 TME, and 10.01 MJKg1 TMEn of the PKM. The obtained values of AME and TME were almost the same for the coconut meal and PKM. The AME, AME, TME and TMEn correlate positively with dietary levels of fat. The coefficient of determination R = 0.95; 0.93; 0.88; and 0.91 respectively for the listed parameters Keywords: Coconut meal, palm kernel meal, AME, TM