NUTRITIONAL AND ANTINUTRITIONAL SCREENING OF Chrysobalanus icaco, Thespesia garckeana AND Tetrapleura tetraptera AS ADDITIVES IN RUMINANT DIET

Abstract

The study was carried out to evaluate the chemical, phytochemical antioxidant and mineral compositions of Chrysobalanus icaco, Thespesia garckeana and Tetrapleura tetraptera. The fruits were opened up and the seeds were harvested and milled. Milled samples were subjected to laboratory analyses. Data were analysed using SAS (2010) package and means were separated using Duncan’s Multiple Range F-test. Results obtained indicated that Tetrapleura tetraptera had the highest dry matter (92.81%), fibre (44.18 %) contents. Protein and energy values ranged from 3.33- 4.16% and 15.19 -22.73 MJ/kg respectively. The phytochemical components revealed that phytate was remarkably higher than other antinutrients with a range of 20.99- 45.35 %. However, Tetrapleura tetraptera was superior in tannin (2.55 mg/100) phenol (2.37 mg/100), phytate (45.35 mg/g), Alkaloids (3.88 %), Flavonoids (7.54 mgRE/kg) as well as antioxidants (68.42%). Thespesia garckeana was significantly (p<0.05) highest in saponin (12.03%). Tetrapleura tetraptera was utmost in calcium (8840.00 pm), iron (4810 ppm) and sodium (1000 pm). Manganese varied from 4-23 ppm and phosphorus ranged from 0.01-0.06 ppm. In conclusion, the spices could be used as natural feed supplement in ruminant nutrition for improved animals’ health and productivity as they contain significant concentration of nutrients, phytochemicals, minerals and antioxidant.