Effects of different processing methods on nutrient contents and acceptability of hog plum (Spondias mombin Linn.) leaf by West African Dwarf sheep

Abstract

Three experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of processing method on leaves from Spondias mombin tree as fodder for ruminants in the tropics. The leaves were subjected to three different physical processing methods; T1 control (fresh but air drying), T2 (fresh but soaked in ordinary water for 24 h then air drying), and T3 (fresh but soaked in water at 50oC for 20 min then air drying). Nutrient and secondary metabolites content were determined in experiment 1. In experiment II, the Coefficient of preference (CoP) was determined. In vitro gas production was used to predict metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and methane (CH4) of S. mombin leave with different processing methods in experiment 111. Results revealed significant differences in the chemical composition of S. mombin leaf subjected to different processing methods. The dry matter value was highest in S. mombin leaves soaked in hot water (90.22%), and lowest in S. mombin leaves soaked in water at room temperature (85.05%). Crude protein was highest in leaf processed with hot water (11.25 %) and lowest in control (9.59 %). No significant variations were observed for minerals and anti-nutrients investigated. The Vitamin content of leaves of S. mombin tree with various processing methods differed significantly except for vitamin E. The preference coefficient value was greater in leaves soaked at 50oC for 20 mins than leaves from the other processing method and control. All leaves of S. mombin tree from all processing methods considered in this study were acceptable to the animals, but leaves soaked in 50oC for 20 mins were most preferred. The in vitro gas production parameters and characteristics were not significantly different. In conclusion, S. mombin leaf subjected to 50 oC for 20 mins is more advantageous as forage in animal nutrition than unprocessed.