Anti-Nutritive Factors, Mineral Profile, In Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics of Ten Browse Forage Leaves

The nutritive values of leaves from ten (10) different browse plants were analyzed using the in vitro gas production. Crude protein (CP) contents in the browses plants ranged from 114.90 to 173.90g kg-1 dry matter (DM). Ranges of 30.60 to 51.60g kg-1 DM were recorded for EE values for the eight browse plants. The NDF, ADF and ADL were 412.10 to 688.10, 211.60 to 265.60, and 88.30 to 140.30g kg-1 DM respectively. The values reported for anti-nutritive factors ranged from 0.08 to 0.39 for TCT, 0.31 to 0.71 for phenolics, 1.08 to 2.99 for Saponin, 4.58 to 8.00 for Oxalate, and 2.22 to 7.33 for phytate. The values reported for minerals showed significant differences (p<0.05) for all the macro minerals; this followed a similar pattern for the trace minerals except for cobalt and nickel. The in vitro gas production was highest (28.33ml / 200g DM) and lowest (3.66ml / 200g DM). The fermentation characteristics a, b, a+b, c, t, Y were highest at 3.67, 25.00, 28.33, 0.057, 18.00, and 11.33 respectively. All the gas production parameters differed significantly (P<0.05). Based on chemical composition and in vitro gas production, results show that the leaves of the browse forages have nutritive value and therefore, may serve as potential supplements for ruminants in Nigeria