PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND MINERAL CONSTITUENTS OF ELEPHANT GRASS (Pennisetum purpureum Schumach.) LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND SOYBEAN MEAL: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

Abstract

Protein insufficiency remains one of the major nutritional problems across the globe especially in developing countries and in the quest to solve this lingering challenge researchers are sourcing alternative feed ingredients that can partially or wholly substitute this conventional protein source. The potential of Guinea grass leaf protein concentrate will therefore be assessed in this study. Freshly harvested Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpeurum) from the College environment in Iguoriakhi located between the tropical rain forest and the derived savanna were processed using the appropriate technology into Leaf protein concentrate. Samples of the sundried Leaf protein concentrate obtained from Elephant grass were subjected to proximate and some mineral elements analysis. All the parameters assayed for proximate composition was higher in Elephant Grass Leaf Protein Concentrate compared to Soybean Meal except for ether extract which showed higher value in Soybean Meal compared to Elephant Grass Leaf Protein Concentrate. Mineral constituents showed higher value for Calcium, sodium, Magnesium and potassium in Elephant grass leaf protein concentrate compared to Soybean meal while Zinc, Magnesium and copper were higher in Soybeans than Elephant Grass Leaf Protein Concentrate. It is therefore concluded that Elephant grass (Pennisetum purpeurum) leaf protein concentrate can successfully be substituted wholly or partially as protein source for livestock feeding.