EVALUATION OF THE PROXIMATE, PHYTOCHEMICAL AND ESSENTIAL OIL COMPOSITION OF CLOVE (SYZYGIUM AROMATICUM) AS PHYTOGENIC FEED ADDITIVE

Abstract

Potential of clove as a phytogenic feed additive lies in its reported antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. Clove buds contain approximately 15 to 20% volatile essential oils dominated by eugenol. Thus, this study was carried out to evaluate proximate, phytochemical and essential oil composition of Syzygium aromaticum as potential source of phytogenic feed additive in poultry diet. Samples of Syzygium aromaticum was obtained, processed and subjected to laboratory analyses to determine proximate, phytochemical and quantitative essential oil (EO) composition using steam distillation procedure. Result showed that Syzygium aromaticum contained crude protein (CP), crude fibre (CF), ether extract (EE), nitrogen free extract (NFE) and ash content of 4.96, 31.20, 6.13, 61.57 and 5.24 %, respectively. Additionally, the phytochemical analysis showed that Syzygium aromaticum contained 1.74, 2.68, 1.37, 5.16 and 2.10 % alkaloids, flavonoids, saponins, phenols and tannins. The quantitative determination of the EO content of Syzygium aromaticum showed it contain 10.68 % EO. In conclusion, ztudy showed that Syzygium aromaticum contains an appreciable levels of nutrients which may supply certain nutrients to diets in addition to their health promoting properties. Hence, Syzygium aromaticum can be included in livestock diet for balanced microbiota and possibly
to improve growth performance.