Phytochemical assessment and utilization of African porridge ( Tetrapluera tetraptera ) fruits by broiler chickens

An experiment was conducted to determine the proximate and photochemical composition of dry milled African porridge ( Tetrapluera tetraptera ) fruit pod and its effect on growth performance of broiler chickens. One hundred and twenty-day old mixed sex chicks of Ross strain were used. There were 4 dietary treatments. Treatment 1 (control) contained no T. tetraptera ; treatments 2 to 4 contained 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5g/kg T. tetraptera respectively. Each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds per replicate in a complete randomized design (CRD). Feed and water were given ad libitum for 8 weeks. The pod contained 6.70% crude protein, 1.44% ether extract, 4.62% crude fibre, 74.17% nitrogen free extract, and 5.96mg/100g hydrogen cyanide and 4.06mg/ 100g tannins. At the starter phase, final live weight was significantly (P 0.05) affected. Feed: gain ratio was also negatively affected by all the levels of T. tetraptera , with the control having significantly (P 0.05) in control, 2.5 and 5.0g/kg. Feed intake was reduced by addition of T. tetraptera with 7.5g/kg giving the least intake. Feed: gain ratio was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by T. tetraptera . In conclusion, 2.5% of T. tetraptera could be used in broiler diets and is recommended. Keywords: African porridge, broiler chickens, phytochemical, Tetrapluera tetraptera