NUTRITIONAL EVALUATION OF Enterolobium cyclocarpum PLANT PARTS AS DRY SEASON SUPPLEMENTARY FEED FOR RUMINANTS

Résumé

Studies were conducted to evaluate the nutritional potentials of Enterolobium cyclocarpum plant parts as supplementary feed in ruminant production. Chemical composition and qualitative screening of saponin, tannin, oxalate and phytate in plant parts were determined. In-vitro gas production was carried out for 72 hours on the plant parts. Results showed that the crude protein concentration of the plant parts varied from 12.84% to 16.74% for stem bark and seeds, respectively. The ether extract content was highest in the pod and seed (7.75% and 6.25%) while the bark and the leaf had the least value of 4.00% and 5.50%. Fibre
fractions of plant parts also varied (P < 0.05) across plant parts. The qualitative screening revealed the presence of saponin, tannins, oxalate and phytate in plant parts but in varying (P < 0.05) quantities. In vitro Dry matter digestibility and methane (ml/200 mg DM) production differed (P < 0.05) across plant parts, while the gas production parameters (b, c and lag time) were affected (P <0.01). It was therefore concluded that Enterolobium plant parts possess nutritive value that makes them potential dry season supplementary feed for ruminants.