EVALUATEION OF ANTI-NUTRITIONAL PROPERTIES OF SOME SELECTED BROWSE PODS IN A SEMI-ARID ZONE OF NIGERIA

Abstract

The study was conducted to evaluate the anti-nutritional properties of four selected browse pods; Faidherbia albida, Vachellia tortilis, Acacia nilotica and Piliostigma reticulatum in a semi-arid zone of Nigeria. The browse pods were sourced from the rangelands in Jigawa and Yobe states. The results revealed significant differences (P<0.05) in the values of Oxalate, Phytate, Tannin and Saponin evaluated. The study therefore concluded that variations exist among the selected browse pods analyzed in terms of anti-nutritive properties; however they were all within the recommended requirement for ruminant nutrition and therefore recommended its use as feedstuff and its incorporation in ration formulation to curtail feed scarcity during the dry season.