EFFECT OF FICUS THONNINGII (STRANGLER FIG) LEAF EXTRACT ON RUMEN FERMENTATION PARAMETERS AND MICROBIAL COUNT OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Abstract

The study was conducted to investigate the effects of Ficus thoningii leaf extract (FLE) on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial count of West African dwarf goats fed total mixed ration in an 84-day feeding trial. Twenty-four West African dwarf goats were divided into four treatment groups and FLE were administered orally via syringe every morning at four varying levels (0, 5, 10 and 15mL) per animal per day for each of the four treatments respectively. The phytochemical composition of FLE was determined. Rumen fluid of the goats was collected at the end of the study and the pH, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), ammonia-nitrogen, and microbial population were also determined. The study revealed that FLE contains tannins, cyanogenicglycosides, total phenol, flavonoid, trypsin inhibitor, phytate oxalate, alkaloids and saponin . TVFA was higher (p<0.05) in goats administered 15mL dosage (101.70mM) while ammonia-nitrogen was higher (p<0.05) at 10 and 15mL doses. FLE increased (p<0.05) fungi count in goats administered the various doses of FLE. Bacteria and protozoa counts were not significantly (p>0.05) influenced by administration of FLE. However, the values obtained for bacteria count increased while that of protozoa count reduced by the end of the study. It was therefore concluded that FLE can be used up to 15 mL dosage to manipulate rumen fermentation to increase TVFA and ammonia nitrogen production.