PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND FIBRE FRACTION OF AFRICAN BLACK PLUM PLANT PARTS AS A SUPPLEMENT IN RUMINANT NUTRITION

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition and fibre fraction of different parts of African black plum plant. Fresh leaves and ripe fruits of the plant were collected from trees within and around Federal University Dutse, Jigawa state, Nigeria. The different plant parts were analyzed and the result revealed that dry matter and carbohydrate contents were significantly (p<0.05) high in the leaf, crude protein was higher (p<0.05) in the nut whereas nitrogen free extract and energy contents were significantly (p<0.05) higher in the fruit. Crude fibre, ether extract and ash were similar (p>0.05) among the plant parts. The fruit contained significantly (p<0.05) higher contents of acid detergent fibre (19.25%), acid detergent lignin (9.40%) and hemicellulose (16.30%) but lower contents of neutral detergent fibre (38.30%) and cellulose (5.40%). It was concluded that the different plant parts of African black plum contain appreciable quantities of nutrients and low contents of cell wall adequate for supplementation in the diets of ruminant animals.