PROXIMATE COMPOSITION AND PHYTOCHEMICAL SCREENING OF WATER LETTUCE (Pistia stratiotes) AS PHYTOBIOTIC ADDITIVE IN POULTRY FEEDS

Abstract

This study aimed at evaluating the proximate composition and phytochemical constituents of water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes). Water lettuce (Pistia stratiotes) was harvested, cleaned and oven dried and grinded. 100 grams sample of the powdered whole water lettuce (leaves, stem and roots) was subjected to proximate and phytochemical analysis. The results obtained showed that moisture content, ash, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fiber (CF), and nitrogen free extract (NFE) have the following values expressed as of 100grams (15.21, 39.9, 14.1, 2.05, 2.37 and 26.36 %) respectively, while the phytochemical screened showed (saponins, steroids, cardiac glycosides and flavonoides) are positively present (+) while (tannins, anthraquinone, alkaloids and terpenes) where negative (-). It was concluded that water lettuce can be utilized as a phytobiotic additive in poultry diets.