SHORT COMMUNICATION Proximate, mineral composition and anti-nutrient contents present in <i>Parkia biglobosa</i> leaves

Abstract

The leaves of Parkia biglobosa was evaluated for the proximate, mineral and anti-nutrition composition. Atomic absorption spectrometry was used in determination of the leaves for P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe and Zn. Anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) including phytate, oxalate and trypsin inhibitor were also determined using appropriate technique. The results of proximate analysis indicate that the leaves had high crude protein (CP) (13.15%), moisture (57.38%), dry matter (DM) (42.62%), ether extract (EE) (1.90%), crude fibre (CF) (17.97%), and ash (8.20%). Mineral analysis indicate the Parkia biglobosa leaves contained some essential mineral such as K (0.82%), Ca (0.34%), P (0.35%), Mg (0.35%), Fe (161.30mg/kg) and Zn (60.75mg/kg). The leaves of Parkia biglobosa have low concentration of ant- nutritive factor. Phytate (0.67%), Oxalate (0.40%) and trypsin inhibitor (4.25mg/g). The results showed that the Parkia biglobosa leaves is of high nutritional quality due to high crude protein and mineral contents with low presence of anti-nutritional factors, and may therefore form good feed resources for modern intensive ruminant animal production.

Keyword: Parkia biglobosa, Anti-nutritional factors, Proximate and Mineral