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Nutritive Potentials of Pterocarpus mildbraedii in Livestock Production

Akintunde, A.O.*, Olumide, M.D., Ndubuisi-Ogbonna, L.C., Fakunle, J. and Maduagwu, T.

Department of Agriculture and Industrial Technology, Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Malaysian J. Anim. Sci. 2022 25(1): 13-21

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Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaf is a common vegetable in the Southern part of Nigeria. It is available all year round hence the need to evaluate its potential in livestock nutrition. Leaves of Pterocarpus mildbraedii were air-dried at 25oC for 14 days and milled. The phytochemical analyses, proximate composition, vitamin and mineral concentrations were determined using standard procedures. Proximate analysis indicated that the leaves contained dry matter (74.20%), ash (6.30%), crude fibre (4.60%), crude protein (1.05%), crude fat (4.60%), ash (7.33%) and nitrogen-free extract (81.83%). The phytochemical evaluation revealed that Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaf contained saponin (23.24mg/100g), an alkaloid (12.58mg/100g), hydrogen cyanide (0.36mg/100g) and tannin (95.79mg/100g). Mineral and vitamin analysis showed that Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaves contained macro minerals such as calcium (0.33%), magnesium (0.22%), potassium (0.15%), sodium (0.04%), micro minerals (mg/Kg) such as manganese (55.29) and iron (749.22) and high content of vitamins A (3528IU/Kg), B1 (2.03mg/100g), B2 (0.93mg/100g), B3 (4.62mg/100g), B6 (2.23mg/100g), B12 (1.77mg/100g) and C (12.58mg/100g). The results showed that Pterocarpus mildbraedii leaves are of high nutritional quality especially in carbohydrates, minerals (as indicated in the ash content), micro and macro minerals, as well as vitamins but low in crude protein. There should however be some levels of caution in its inclusion in monogastric nutrition considering its high level of tannin thus it is recommended that it should be included in minute quantities and basically for therapeutic purposes.