Nutrient and Anti-Nurient Components of Some Tropical Tree Seeds

Experiments were conducted to evaluate the potential feeding value of seven different tropical seeds: Delonix regia, Vitellaria paradoxa, Tectonia grandis, Cyperus alternifolius, Parkia biglobosa, Khya ivorensis and Vetex dunianna. The proximate composition, crude fiber fractions, mineral composition and the in vitro gas production of the selected tropical seeds were determined. The results obtained showed that crude protein (%) ranged from 5.36 (Cyperus alternifolius) to 15.05 (Parkia buglobosa), CF (%) ranged from 11.75 (Vitellaria paradoxa) to 43.58 (Tectonia grandis). Delonix regia recorded the highest value in NDF and Hemicellulose contents. All the investigated tropical seeds were generally low in mineral composition. However, Khya Ivorensis was rich in Ca, Mg, Na and Zn. There were wide variations observed in the in vitro gas production characteristics. The fastest rate of gas production was obtained in D. regia while Cyperus alternifolius had the least. Fermentation of the insoluble but degradable fractions (b, ml) ranged from 25.50 (T. grandis) to 40.35 (D. regia). The estimated ME observed in D. regia, K. ivorensis and Vetex dunianna were not significant (P<0.05) but differed significantly from D. regia. Vitellaria paradoxa recorded the highest levels of oxalate and Tannin. From the results obtained in this study, D. regia is a promising source of protein and also contains appreciable contents of mineral. However, mineral fortification could be applied in ruminant nutrition to cater for deficiency