Ikhimioya I., Bamikole M.A., Omoregie A.U., Ikhatua U.J.
Department of Animal Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria; Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Department of Crop Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria
Ikhimioya, I., Department of Animal Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria; Bamikole, M.A., Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria; Omoregie, A.U., Department of Crop Science, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma, Nigeria; Ikhatua, U.J., Department of Animal Science, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria
The proximate composition, cell wall and mineral contents, and the levels of some anti-nutrients were assessed in the foliages of Afzelia africana, Bambusa vulgaris, Chromolaena odorata, Mangifera indica and Newbouldia laevis. DM content ranged from 26.80% in Chromolaena odorata to 50.82% in Bambusa vulgaris. The leaves were generally high in CP which ranged from 15.13% in Mangifera indica to 29.85% in Afzelia africana. Gross energy in the foliages varied from 2.50 Kcal/g to 4.09 Kcal/g respectively in Mangifera indica and N. laevis. The highest value of NDF (54.38%) was recorded in Chromolaena odorata while Mangifera indica had the least value (42.40%). Mineral content analysis revealed that Afzelia africana contained the least content of Ca (0.31%) while Chromolaena odorata had the highest (1.52%). Chromolaena odorata also recorded the highest P content (0.39%) and the least was in Mangifera indica (0.20%). Sodium content varied from 0.39% in Chromolaena odorata to 0.14% in Afzelia africana. The lowest content of Cu (5.26ppm) was recorded in Newbouldia laevis while the highest value of 91.76ppm was from Chromolaena odorata. The concentration of Zn varied from 46.60ppm in Bambusa vulgaris to 277.88ppm in Chromolaena odorata. Among the anti-nutrient contents examined, the haemaglutinnin value was least in Chromolaena odorata(9.72mg/g) and highest in Newbouldia laevis(20.84mg/g). Phytic acid varied from 0.45% in Afzelia africana to 4.88% in Mangifera indica, while tannin content ranged between 0.17% in Afzelia africana and 3.51% in Mangifera indica. The implication of the results is that, based on the observed nutritional compositions and ready availability of the foliages, especially in the dry season when the quality of available grasses drops, they showed promise of being adequate for the supplementation of ruminants' diets.