UTILIZATION OF MEXICAN SUNFLOWER LEAF MEAL-BASED DIETS BY PRE WEANED WEST AFRICAN DWARF LAMBS
Undernourishment in sheep has been reported to manifest among lambs in form of reduced birthweight, retarded growth rate and increased mortality (Ogunwole, 2004; Adu and Olaloku, 1979). Oyedipe (1981) further explained that nutrition of growing ruminants is one of the single most important factor influencing growth, onset of puberty, litter size and survival rates of the young ones. A departure from the growth of lambs is likely to set in as from the third week of life when the milk yield of ewe starts to decline (Adu, 1975). It is clear from the research findings that early weaned lambs cannot survive on pasture alone. In view of this, the provision of creep feeding would be necessary as soon as the lambs are able to nibble on solid foods. Such provision should be palatable, nutritionally adequate, low in fibre and highly digestible. In addition to the enhanced growth of lambs, creep feeding encourages rumen development, a condition that increases the subsistence of the lambs on solid foods (Adu, 1975). Wheat bran (WB) in Nigeria about 15 – 20 years ago had little or no value but presently, due to high cost of conventional energy sources, population explosion and poor protein intake in the country, WB in Nigeria presently is a major source of energy for ruminants. In order to reduce the high cost of production of beef, milk and other products, there is need for replacement of some percentages of WB with Mexican sunflower leaf meal (MSLM). Mexican sunflower (MS) is readily available in Nigeria, although, it has a long history of existence but it has always been considered as a weed and often time, it’s left to rot on the farm after weeding and sometime burnt. Apart from the environmental pollution associated with burning, it also contributes ISSN 1330-7142 UDK = 636.084.1:636.38
EFFECTS OF VARIATIONS IN DIETARY ENERGY LEVELS ON THE GROWTH AND CARCASS QUALITY OF THE NIGERIAN DWARF SHEEP
A THESIS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE SUBMITTED TO THE FACULTY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOREST RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF IBADAN
Antinutrients and protein digestibility (in vitro) of mungbean as affected by domestic processing and cooking
Abstract Domestic processing and cooking methods including soaking, ordinary and pressure cooking of soaked and unsoaked seeds and sprouting significantly lowered phytic acid, saponin and polyphenols of mungbean ( Vigna radiata L.) seeds. Soaking for 18 h removed 30% phytic acid and extent of removal was still higher when the period of soaking was raised. Saponins and polyphenols were relatively less affected. Loss of the antinutrients was greater when soaked instead of unsoaked seeds were cooked. Pressure cooking had a more disparaging effect than ordinary cooking. An increase in the period of pressure cooking was more effective in reducing saponins and polyphenols than phytic acid. Antinutrient concentration declined and protein digestibility improved following sprouting; the longer the period of germination the greater was the reduction or the improvement. Phytic acid was reduced to a greater extent than polyphenols or saponins. Processing and cooking improved protein digestibility ( in vitro ); treatments including heat processing had the most marked effect. The greater the period of pressure cooking, the higher was the protein digestibility.