NUTRITIONAL VALUES OF SELECTED TROPICAL LEAVES AND THEIR COMPOSITE MIXES

Abstract

The nutritional values of selected tropical leaves and their composite leaf mix (CLM) were evaluated. Harvested fresh leaves and garlic were air-dried and milled to produce leaf meals. The CLM was a mixture of Moringa leaf, Bitter leaf, Scent leaf, Neem leaf, and Garlic in a 3:4:1:1:1 ratio, respectively. The proximate and mineral compositions of these leaf meals and their CLM were obtained using an appropriate methodology and statistical analysis conducted with the aid of
Microsoft Excel. Results showed that moisture content was higher in Neem leaf meal (15.88%) while Scent leaf meal had the lowest (11.60%) compared to others, ranging from 11.60-15.88% However, the crude protein ranged from 17.29-34.12% with Moringa leaf meal having the highest (34.12%) and lowest in Neem leaf meal (17.29%). The crude fibre ranged from 4.05% in garlic to 19.21% in Gliricidia leaf meal. Nitrogen free extract ranged from 21.09-52.64% with garlic having the highest (52.64%) and lowest in Moringa leaf meal (21.09%). The leaf meals also contained appreciable amount of micro and macro minerals, with Potassium, Calcium, and Zinc values at 32787.81mg/kg, 8300mg/kg, and 54.5mg/kg respectively. It can be concluded that these tropical leaves contained appreciable nutrients that could contribute towards meeting animal nutritional requirements for growth, and they can also be used as additives.