A Comparative Analysis of Nutrients and Mineral Elements Content of Andropogon gayanus Kunth and Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin

Abstract

Comparative studies on the nutrients and mineral elements content of the two grass species was conducted at Gangam Rangeland, Shagari L.G.A., Sokoto state. Sokoto lies on latitude 12.00 0 and 13.60 0 N and longitude 4.80 0 and 6.50 0 E and altitude 350m above sea level. The result show that P. pedicellatum had high crude protein (Cp) ad crude fibre (Cf) content than A. gayanus. The high Cp content was attributed to its leafy nature (having abundant leaves) as Cp is more concentrated in leaves, whereas the high Cf content was possibly due to its stemmy nature particularly at the end of the growing period. However, in terms of Ether extract (Ee) and Ash content, A. gayanus had more. The high Ash content was probably as a result of high mineral elements content of the grass species. On the other hand, A. gayanus had high Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Magnesium (Mg), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) content, while P. pedicellatum has high Calcium (Ca) and Sodium (Na) content. The high mineral elements content of A. gayanus made the grass more useful for grazing and feeding of livestock. The high Ca content of P. pedicellatum may account for its high Cf content as Ca forms structural components of cell walls and membranes.

Mineral and anti-nutrient composition of Pennisetum pedicellatum Trin. grass

“…The mineral composition of Pennisetum pedicellatum is represented in Table 1. The concentration of sodium in P. pedicellatum grass was found to be 111.67 mg/100 g which is higher than the value (96.56 mg/100 g) reported by Waziri et al (2013) on the analysis of Andropogon gayanus grass and also what was reported by Falola et al (2013) for vetiver grass (Chrysopogon zizanioides). On the other hand, the value is lower than what was reported for Cassia hirtsutse (421.05 mg/100 g) as reported by Akpabio et al (2012).…”

Investigating criteria for valuation of forage resources by local agro-pastoralists in West Africa: using quantitative ethnoecological approach

“…4 b). As indicated by Waziri et al [ 64 ], having knowledge in various constituents of livestock feed is pivotal to production and productivity. About 60% of livestock feeds that are provided by rural population come from crops and crop residues (J.…”

“…The CSI values reflect the collective cultural importance of highly ranked forage plants to the local agro-pastoralists, since these forage species form an integral part of their livestock feed source. Various studies have shown that P. pedicellatum Trin and A. hypogaea L. have been found to have very high nutritional quality such as high crude protein, crude fiber, ash content, calcium/carbohydrates, fatty acid, amino acid, and in vitro digestibility profiles [ 64 , 66 ]. This may make them most suitable to livestock and in turn highly ranked by local farmers.…”

“…This may make them most suitable to livestock and in turn highly ranked by local farmers. As an annual, P. pedicellatum Trin tends to grow faster during the growing (rainy) season and has more abundant leaves compared to Andropogon gayanus Kunth [ 64 ]. Additionally, P. pedicellatum Trin and A. hypogaea L. might have been highly ranked and that may be due to the widespread presence of the former and growing of the latter on farmlands by local agro-pastoralists in the studied communities.…”

Medicinal Chemistry Comparative Phytochemical Screening on Three Growth Stages of Pennisetum Pedicellatum Trin

“…It should be noted that no phytochemical screening was performed on P. Pedicellatum prior to this study. Most of the research works carried out earlier was centred on the nutritional value of this plant as a good fodder for animals (Ziblim et al, 2012, Waziri et al, 2013. However, some workers (Evans, 2005, Okaraonye andIkewuchi, 2009 and Purewal, 2014) who worked on two other pericettum species, namely P. purpureum and P. glaucum have revealed the presence of flavonoids, saponnins in this species.…”