PHYTOCHEMICAL AND MINERAL COMPOSITION OF AFRICAN BLACK PLUM (VITEX DONIANA) FEED BLOCK

Abstract

Mineral deficiencies can have negative effects on animal health whereas anti-nutritional composition can limit feed utilization by animals. Thus, a study was conducted to assess the mineral and phytochemical composition of African black plum feed blocks. Drying, crushing and milling of African black plum leaves and fruits were carried out separately and used to formulate feed blocks. The formulations consisted of F1 [0% African black plum (ABP)], F2 (ABP leaf meal) and F3 (ABP fruit meal) feed blocks. Ingredients used for the formulation were thoroughly mixed in a 200L drum and the mixture placed in wooden moulds lined with polythene sheets and pressed manually. The mixtures in moulds were left for 24 hours prior to removal and drying in well ventilated shade for two weeks. The tannin, oxalate, phytate and saponin contents as well as the mineral composition (Ca, Mg, K, P, Na, Zn and Mn) of the feed blocks were determined. The phytochemical composition of the feed blocks did not differ (p<0.05) across the treatments and were 0.02%, 0.12%, 0.21-0.23% and 0.13- 0.15 for tannin, oxalate, phytate and saponin respectively. The mineral contents of the feed blocks differed significantly (p<0.05) across the treatments, with higher values (2.41% Ca, 0.89% Mg, 1.62% K, 3.28% P, 0.75% Na, 50.55% Zn and 113.25% Mn) of all the minerals (except iron) recorded in African black plum fruit meal (F3) feed block. Conclusively, the feed blocks produced contained sufficient quantities of minerals and the composition of the phytochemicals in the feed blocks was low. The use of African black plum feed as a strategy to augment mineral deficiencies in ruminant livestock was recommended.