Performance and toxicological effects of cooked baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed meal on West African dwarf goats

Twelve West African dwarf bucks aged 5-7 months of age, and having an average weights 6.67 kg were used to evaluate the effect of cooked baobab seed meal (CBSM) on the performance and blood profile of West Africa dwarf (WAD) goats for 12 weeks. The bucks were distributed into four treatment groups (n=3), using completely randomised design. Baobab seeds were cooked in boiling water for one hour, sun-dried and crushed into a meal. Four diets were compounded and designated; A (0%), B (25%), C (50%) and D (75%) CBSM. Results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in all the performance indices measured. The mean daily feed intake values (345.50-367.47 g/day) and mean daily weight gains (7.54-17.06 g/day) were similar (P>0.05) across the treatments. Haematological parameters; packed cell volume, white blood cells, haemoglobin, lymphocytes and neutrophils all showed treatment effect (P<0.05). Treatment effects (P<0.05) were also observed in values of serum albumin, serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and triglyceride among the treatments, however, all the treatment values were within normal ranges. Cooked baobab seed meal up to 75% could be used by farmers as replacement for soybean in the diets of WAD goats with no toxic effects on blood profile or performance. Keywords: West African dwarf goats, Adansonia digitata, performance, toxic effects, blood profile

Correlation between chemical composition and in vitro Dry Matter Digestibility of Leaves of Semi-arid Browses of North-East Nigeria

The potential nutritive values of eight browse forages namely: Olea hochstteteri, Ziziphus mauritiana, Ziziphus spinzchristi, Pterocarpus erinceus, Sterculia setigera, Balanites aegyptiaca, Ficus sycomorus and Adansonia digitata of North-east Nigeria were evaluated by chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility. The samples were collected and analyzed in triplicates. There were significant differences among species in terms of chemical composition. A range of 2.00 to 6.00% and 12.00 to 18.00% DM were recorded for EE and Ash values for the eight browses. Their fiber parameters showed a range of 34.40 to 54.80, 16.55 to 33.40, 9.70 to 67.17, g/100g DM for NDF, ADF and ADL, respectively. The values reported for anti-nutritive factors range from 0.12 to 0.41 mg/g MD for TCT and 0.24 to 0.81 mg/g MD for phenolic. Dry samples (leaves) of eight semi-arid browses were used as substrates. Crude protein (CP) in leaf dry matter ranged from 13.23 in Olea hochstteteri to 18.31% DM in balanites aegyptiaca. The IVDMD had the lowest IVDMD (45.00% DM) and lowest CP content (13.23%). The result also reveals a negative correlation of IVDMD with cell wall contents (NDF, ADF and ADL) and a positive correlation with TCT, and a positive correlation between CP and phenolic. The result for methane production shows that Ziziphus spinachisti had the highest methane value (4ml/200mg DM). Based on chemical composition and in vitro dry matter digestibility, the browse species forage have high potential nutritive value, especially as protein supplements to poor quality forage for ruminant animals in the tropics and in terms of rumen and whole tract digestibility

Growth response and blood profile of Kano brown goats fed Gmelina arborea leaves and supplemented with diets containing water soaked sweet orange (Citrus sinensis) peels

Twenty male Kano brown grower goats weighing 116.75 kg - 9.00kg, and aged between 5 - 8 months were used in a completely randomized design to assess the growth performance and blood profile of Kano brown goats fed Gmelina arborea leaves and supplemented with concentrate diets containing different levels of water soaked sweet orange peel meal (WSSOPM). The orange peels were collected from markets within Makurdi township and immediately soaked in a large plastic container for 24 hours, thereafter it was drained using baskets and sun-dried 3days. The dried orange peels were packed and crushed into a meal and bagged in synthetic bags for use. Four diets were formulated and compounded to contain 0%, 50%, 60% and 70% WSSOPM, and these were designated T1, T2, T3 and T4 respectively in a forty-two day feeding trial. Results showed that there were no treatment effects (P>0.05) on mean daily weight gain, total forage intake and feed conversion ratio. However, treatment effect was apparent (P<0.05) on the total concentrate intake, total feed intake and mean daily feed intake. The haematological parameters measured did not show significant differences (P>0.05) except in neutrophil values. The neutrophil values of T4 (40.80%) were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of T1 (32.40%), T2 (37.40%) and T3 (38.60%). The serum biochemistry values were all similar (P>0.05) among the treatments except the cholesterol values. The cholesterol value of T1 (142.34mg/dl) was significantly higher than the rest treatments, while T2 (85.82mg/dl) was lower (P<0.05) than T3 (108.12mg/dl). Water soaked sweet orange peel meal can replace up to70% of maize offal in goat diets without adverse effects on the performance and blood indices. Keywords: Performance, haematology, serum biochemistry, sweet orange peels, Kano brown goat

Anti-Nutritive Factors, Mineral Profile, In Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics of Ten Browse Forage Leaves

The nutritive values of leaves from ten (10) different browse plants were analyzed using the in vitro gas production. Crude protein (CP) contents in the browses plants ranged from 114.90 to 173.90g kg-1 dry matter (DM). Ranges of 30.60 to 51.60g kg-1 DM were recorded for EE values for the eight browse plants. The NDF, ADF and ADL were 412.10 to 688.10, 211.60 to 265.60, and 88.30 to 140.30g kg-1 DM respectively. The values reported for anti-nutritive factors ranged from 0.08 to 0.39 for TCT, 0.31 to 0.71 for phenolics, 1.08 to 2.99 for Saponin, 4.58 to 8.00 for Oxalate, and 2.22 to 7.33 for phytate. The values reported for minerals showed significant differences (p<0.05) for all the macro minerals; this followed a similar pattern for the trace minerals except for cobalt and nickel. The in vitro gas production was highest (28.33ml / 200g DM) and lowest (3.66ml / 200g DM). The fermentation characteristics a, b, a+b, c, t, Y were highest at 3.67, 25.00, 28.33, 0.057, 18.00, and 11.33 respectively. All the gas production parameters differed significantly (P<0.05). Based on chemical composition and in vitro gas production, results show that the leaves of the browse forages have nutritive value and therefore, may serve as potential supplements for ruminants in Nigeria

Effects of high levels of water soaked sweet orange peel meal on the Performance response and blood profile ofWest African dwarf goats

A total of sixteen West African grower bucks of about 7-10 months were used in a completely randomised design to assess the effect of feeding diets with high levels of water soaked sweet orange peel meal (WSSOPM) on the performance response and blood profile of West African dwarf goats. Collected sweet orange peels were soaked in water and drained after 24 hours. The peels were then sun-dried on concrete floors for 48hour and afterwards crushed into a meal using a feed milling machine. The WSSOPM was used to compound four (4) experimental diets containing 0%, 60%, 80% and 100% WSSOPM, these were designated treatment T1, T2, T3, and T4, respectively. Each treatment had four (4) replicate. The study lasted for 11weeks. Results showed that, the mean daily feed intake, mean daily weight gain and the feed conversion ratio of the goats did not show treatment effect (P>0.05) among the treatments. The cost analysis showed that profitability increased with increasing levels of WSSOPMin the diets. The blood parameters measured did not show treatment effect, except the albumin values in which T2 (3.53g/dL)was higher than T1 (2.80 g/dL), T3 (2.68 g/dL) and T4(2.55 g/dL). The mineral indices measured showed variations (P<0.05) in only potassium values, treatment effect was not apparent on the serum calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, sodium and zinc values. Water soaked sweet orange peel meal can be used to replace maize offal at 60%, 80% and 100 % in the diets of West African dwarf goats without negatively affecting both performance and blood indices

Blood profile of grazing Bunaji bulls supplemented with diets containing cooked mucuna

A total of 12 yearling Bunaji bulls weighing between 146.00 kg – 147.67 kg were used to evaluate the blood profile of grazing white Bunaji bulls supplemented with diets containing cooked mucuna seed meal (CMSM) in a completely randomized design. Mucuna seeds were bought from farmers within Makurdi metropolis and its environs and used for the study. Collected seeds were poured into boiling water in a pot set over an open fire and allowed to boil for 60 minutes. Thereafter the cooked seeds were removed from the fire, drained using local baskets and sun-dried on concrete slabs for 7 days. The sun-dried seeds were then packed and crushed into a meal using a cereal grinding mill and bagged in synthetic sacks for use. Four (4) experimental diets were compounded to contain 0%, 25%, 50% and 75% CMSM and the diets were tagged diets A, B, C and D respectively. Results showed that cooking improved the crude protein (CP) and ether extract (EE) values of the seeds. Boiling the mucuna seeds reduced all anti-nutrients except flavonoids. There was no treatment effect (P>0.05) in the mean values for all the hematological parameters measured. The serum biochemical parameters however, showed treatment effect (P<0.05) in the mean values for all the parameters measured except in urea and total cholesterol values. Although almost all the serum biochemical parameters showed treatment effect (P<0.05) values were within normal ranges. Cooked mucuna seed meal can be used to replace soybean meal in the diets of Bunaji bulls without compromising health of the animals

Blood profile of red sokoto bucks fed diets containing varying levels of yam peel meal with Ficus polita as basal diets

Sixteen (16) Red Sokoto bucks with an average weight of 9.11 kg and aged 6 - 8 months were used to assess the blood profile of Red Sokoto goats fed diets containing high levels of yam peels with Ficus polita as basal diets in a completely randomized design (CRD). Yam peels were collected from food vendors from markets within Makurdi Metropolis, it was sun-dried for 3days and crushed into a meal using mortar and pestle. This was used to compound four experimental diets designated D1 (0%), D2 (50%), D3 (75%) and D4 (100%) Yam Peel Meal (YPM) and were used to feed the Red Sokoto bucks for 105 days. Results obtained from this study shows that there was no effect of treatment (P>0.05) on the haematological parameters measured. Similarly, mean values of serum biochemistry parameters assayed did not show treatment effect (P>0.05). The total protein value of D1 (5.28mg/dl) was significantly lower (P<0.05) than those of D2 (7.93(mg/dl), D3 (7.33mg/dl)) and D4 (7.68(mg/dl). However, there was no statistical difference (P>0.05) in the total protein values of D2, D3 and D4. The serum minerals measured (calcium, potassium, sodium, phosphorus, magnesium and chloride) were similar (P>0.05) across the treatments. Cost analysis of treatments showed that none of treatments resulted in loss, but treatment D2 appears to have the best profit margin. The study shows that YPM can be used to replace maize offal up to 100% without compromising the health of the goats and enhance profitability of the goat enterprise.Keywords: Yam peel meal, Red sokoto bucks, Ficus polit