Nutritional Evaluation of Glyricidia Leaf Protein Concentrate as Feed Component in Rabbit’s Concentrate Diet

Abstract

Abstract

Thirty five weaned rabbits aged 5 to 6 weeks with mean weight 487.00g were randomly allocated to five dietary treatment groups (seven animals per group) in a completely randomized design at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% representing 0, 1.31, 2.62, 3.93 and 5.24%, respectively of the gross feed composition. Prior to the feeding trial, the glyricidia leaf protein concentrate (GLPC) was analyzed for the proximate composition, mineral contents, amino acid profile and the anti-nutritional components. The crude protein content of GLPC (420gkg^-1) found in this study is similar to the conventional plant protein sources used in animal feed formulation. The crude fibre ranged from 10.13-12.33%, and this falls within the dietary crude fibre required for growing rabbits. GLPC showed appreciable quantity of minerals, amino acid and low level of anti-nutrients. Dietary inclusion of GLPC had no dire consequence on the carcass cuts, organ weights, haematological profile and serum biochemical of weaned rabbits. Judging from the result, it can therefore be concluded that GLPC contained appreciable level of nutrients that can support rabbit production in this part of the world where glyricidia plants abound.

Key words: leaf protein concentrate, haematology, serum, organ weight, chemical composition.