Background The study highlighted the potential of three common and under-utilized tropical leguminous seeds (Tomentosa nilotica, Dioclea reflexa and Monodora myristica) to be used as supplementary feed to ruminant livestock. These seeds (their plants inclusive) are valuable sources of food and medicine for the prevention of illness and maintenance of human health. The medicinal properties of these seeds include antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant and immuno-stimulant. Trypsin inhibitors, which are common anti-nutritional factors in legumes and for monogastric animals, do not exert adverse effects in ruminants because they are degraded in the rumen. Hence, the crux of this study is to examine the effect of processing methods on the nutritional composition (proximate, fibre fractions, minerals, anti-nutrients) and in vitro digestibility of Tomentosa nilotica, Dioclea reflexa and Monodora myristica seeds and their suitability as feedstuff (protein sources) in small ruminant feed, particularly during off-season. Results From the results, raw Tomentosa nilotica and Monodora myristica have the highest crude protein (30.35% CP) and fat (22.40% EE), respectively. It is noteworthy that roasting best improve the mineral and significantly reduce the anti-nutrients observed in this study better compared to boiling and soaking methods. The highest organic matter digestibility, short-chain fatty acids, metabolizable energy and in vitro dry matter digestibility values were obtained in Dioclea reflexa compared to other test seeds. Roasting best improved the nutritive values, while Dioclea reflexa seed was rated highest for all the nutritional attributes and in vitro digestibility. Conclusions Dioclea reflexa could be incorporated in ruminants’ diet as protein source, particularly during the off-season, for improved ruminant production in Nigeria. However, in vivo study is therefore recommended to validate this report.
The feed quality have direct/indirect impact on the blood profiles of animal and determines health status. Hence, this study was carried out to investigate the dietary effect of T. nilotica seed meal (TNSM) on haematology and serum biochemical indices of goats. 15 West African Dwarf goats with a similar age range of 12-18 months old and body/live-weight of 6.88±0.26 kg were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments with 3 goats per replicate in a Completely Randomized Design arrangement for 12 weeks. Unprocessed TNSM were collected, screened and milled and were used to replace palm kernel cake at 20% (diet B), 30% (diet C), 40% (diet D) and 50% (diet E) replacement levels in a complete concentrate diets while diet A (control diet) had no T. nilotica. Nutrient composition, intake and animals' blood samples were assessed. Results revealed that all parameters observed were significantly (p<0.05) different. At 20%, DWG, FGR were best. PCV, RBC, Hb values of the goats decreased with increased with replacement level of PKC with TNSM. It could be concluded that TNSM could serve as protein source in place of PKC in goat diet up to 20% without any adverse effects on growth and health status.
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