Determination of proximate and phytochemical composition of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa) forage

Résumé

Browse plants is one of the cheapest sources of feed for ruminants and other farm animals. The leaf of African locust bean (Parkia biglobosa), a tree belonging to the family leguminoceae was studied. The Locust bean foliage (LBF) was evaluated for the proximate and antinutritional factors. The proximate analysis showed that LBF had high crude protein (16.23%), dry matter DM (90.05%), crude fibre CF (21.36%), low fats (0.68%), ash (6.11) and soluble carbohydrate (55.62%). Anti–nutrients contents included oxalates (4.02 mg/100g), phytate (0.06 mg/100g), trypsin (0.44g/100g), saponin (2.80 mg/100g), cyanide (1.60 mg/100g), tannin (24.15 mg/100g) and alkaloid (6.70 mg/100g). The values obtained for the proximate composition may be an indication that LBF is a promising browse plants which could be fed to the grazing animals during the dry season, when fresh forages are scarce.