PROXIMATE PROFILING, NUTRITIVE COMPONENTS, AND DEGRADATION OF SWEETCORN LEAVES (F1 SUGAR KING) BY EDIBLE FUNGI

Abstract

Sweet corn (SC), now becoming a fast-acceptable delicacy as a snack and party delight in Nigeria, especially among the elite circle, has reduced the urge for conventional corn while (SC) waste then poses a serious issue (global warming) when added to waste generated by conventional maize stover. Sweet corn leaves (SCLs) were collected, oven-dried at 105 0C, and milled. Phytochemical analysis (tannin, saponin), vitamins, and minerals of the (SCLs) were determined, while the degradation of the sweet corn leaves with edible fungi (Pleurotus pulmonarious (Pp) was carried out for 21 days. Results showed that (SCLs) contain phytochemicals such as tannin and saponin, essential to support the reduction of enteric methane production in ruminant animals at non-toxic levels. Vitamins and minerals were also present. Effect of degradation with edible fungi (Pp) revealed that the Crude protein content of (SCLs) increased from 4.08% to 6.04% while Crude fiber content reduced from 25.1% to 22.72%. The findings revealed that degradation with edible fungi (Pp) added value to the nutrient content of (SCLs) which serves as an alternative feed for animal use, and as a means of improving climate-smart agriculture for an eco-friendly environment.