Suad G.M.Beitake,1 Afaf A.Mabrouk1Nuha, H. Talib1 and Y.R.Sulieman2
Animal Production Research Centre, P.O. Box 1355, Kuku, Khartoum north, Sudan1
College of Animal Production, University of Bahri, Khartoum, Sudan2
Summary
Two hundred unsexed broiler chicks were used in a completely randomized design feeding trial, to study the effect on growth performance of chicks, by substituting groundnut cake by moringa oleifera leaf meal at 2%M, 4%M, and 6%M. Moringa fed chicks consumed significantly more dry matter, metabolizable energy, and crude protein than the control (0%M) chicks, as a result; they gained significantly more weight gain. Dry matter intake and weight gain increased progressively with increasing Moringa leaf meal concentration in the feed, from 2%M to 6%M inclusive. The rise in weight gain and weight conversion rates, were attributed to a possible Moringa leaf meal protein quality effect.
Introduction
It has been observed that the rapid growth of human and livestock populations with increasing demand for food and feed, particularly in developing countries. Consequently, alternative feed resources must be identified and evaluated, importantly those from non-conventional sources (Odunsi 2003). Hence, any cheap high protein yielding feed that could substitute conventional Groundnut cake, Sesame meal or imported Soybean meal is desirable. Such a potential source of cheap high protein as the leaf meal of some tropical browse plants. Though utilization of leaf meal could be constrained by anti-nutritional compounds, and deficiency of some amino acids. Interest is growing in planting Moringa (M.oleifera), for use of leaf meal as protein feed source to animals (Makkar and Becker 1997; Sarwatt et al., 2002). Despite, the high protein content of Moringa leaf meal, there is few available data on its use as an alternative protein supplement in broiler
production. The present study aimed at investigating of partially replacing Groundnut cake with Moringa leaf meal in broiler ration; whereas growth performance and the nutritional value of the constituted feed were intended.
Materials and Methods
Experimental feeds
Twigs of M. oleifera were collected from a plantation farm in Khartoum, dried under shade and aerated conditions. Dried leaves were separated, hand crushed, sieved and mill-ground. The leaf meal was included in the experimental feed in the proportions 2, 4, and 6%, to substitute Groundnut cake in the control feed (0%). The formulated feeds (Table 1) were pelleted before use. The feeds were approximately iso-calorific and iso-nitrogenous, and were adjusted to meet recommended NRC (1984) nutrient requirements for broiler production. Proximate components and amino acids composition were analysed according to A.O.A.C. methods (1990). Performance data were statistically analysed using ANOVA analysis of variance method. Significant means were separated by Duncan’s multiple range tests, (Duncan 1955).
Feeding trial
Two hundreds, one day old, unsexed broiler chicks (Cobb 500), of uniform body weight (38 g), were reared for 45 days in a deep littered wire-netting wall and open-sided house. 24-hour continuous artificial lightening was provided. The feeds and water were freely available at all time. The chicks were distributed into the four treatment feed groups, in a completely randomized design. In each treatment, there were five replicates each containing 10 chicks. During the course of the experiment, the chicks were weighed weekly, before the feed was offered in the morning, (Beitake 2012).
Digestibility trial
During the last week of the feeding trial, one bird was randomly selected from each replicate (5 birds per treatment), for the digestibility trial .Excreta were collected on nylon sheets covering floor, which were daily replaced each by a new clean another one. Feed remaining in each replicate unit and excreta collected, and dried before analysis was done. Digestibility values were calculated for dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fibre (CF), and ether extractives (EE). The digestibility of crude protein (CP) was calculated according to Bolton and Blair (1974).
Results and Discussion
The composition of experimental diets and nutrient contents of feeds and Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MOLM) are shown in Table 1. It shows that the values (g/kg DM), for crude protein (CP=278.7), crude fibre (CF=130), and ether extractives (EE=22) of MOLM were within the range of values obtained by Booth and Wickens (1988); 27.1%, 19.2% and 2.3%, Makkar and Becker (1996); 25.1%, 21.9% NDF and 5.4%, and Oduro, et al., (2008); 27.51%,19.23% and 2.23% respectively. Though the present sample had less fibre compared to those above mentioned, possibly because our leaf meal was processed from tender shoots of low fibre content.
Table 1. Feed ingredients (%), chemical composition (g/Kg DM), and metabolisable energy (Kcal/Kg DM)
| Feeds _________________________________________________ | |||||
| Ingredient | Control | 2% M | 4% M | 6% M | MOLM |
| Sorghum grain | 63 | 63 | 63 | 62 | – |
| Groundnut cake | 26 | 25 | 23.4 | 23 | – |
| MOLM | 0 | 2 | 4 | 6 | – |
| Common salt | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | – |
| Limestone | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | 1.5 | – |
| Di-calcium | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.5 | – |
| phosphate | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | – |
| Broiler’s concentrate | 3.2 | 2.3 | 1.9 | 1.3 | – |
| Grit | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 0.2 | |
| Anti-mycotoxin | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | – |
| Organic acid | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | – |
| Lysine | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | 0.1 | – |
| Methionine | 100 | 100 | 100 | 100 | – |
| Total | |||||
| Chemical composition (g/Kg DM) | 924 | 928 | 931 | 925 | 942 |
| Dry matter | 104.5 | 97 | 95.7 | 88.7 | 142 |
| Ash | 240 | 230 | 237.5 | 237.5 | 278.7 |
| Crude protein | 36 | 38 | 36 | 36 | 22 |
| Ether extractives | 60 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 130 |
| Crude fibre | 3163 | 3127 | 3148 | 3146 | 2626 |
| Metabolisable energy ( Kcal/ Kg DM ) | 63 | 63 | 63 | 62 | – |
| * MOLM = Moringa oleifera leaf meal, and : | |||||
| 2%M, 4%M, 6%M = MOLM percentage in the feed. | |||||
The amino acids composition of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in the present study is presented in Table2. When compared with skim milk powder as a reference standard (Williams et al., 1955), MOLM appears to be deficient in both lysine and methionine, which are essential for broiler production. It had 0.31 lysine and 0.15 methionine of the reference values. Moreover, lysine/methionine ratio was 2:1 as opposed to 3:1 ratio in the skim milk. However, when compared with Booth and Wickens (1988) MOLM sample, it appears to have also lower values. Variation in chemical composition and amino acids contents may be caused by differences in agro-climatic conditions, or due to different age of trees, as well as different stages of maturity of the shoot cut. It is to be reminded that tender shoot leaves were selected for use in the present study.
Table 2. Essential Amino acids composition of M. Oleifera leaf meal
(MOLM)
| MOLM | ||||||
| This study | Booth & Wickens 1988)1 | Skim milk powder3 | ||||
| Amino acid | (g/100g) | (g/16g N) | (g/100g) | (g/16g N) | (g/100g) | (g/16g N) |
| Arginine | 0.736 | 2.73 | 1.325 | 4.89 | 1.04 | 3.15 |
| Histidine | 0.386 | 1.43 | 0.613 | 2.26 | 0.81 | 2.45 |
| Isoleucine | 0.769 | 2.85 | 0.825 | 3.04 | 2.40 | 7.27 |
| Leucine | 1.299 | 4.81 | 1.956 | 7.22 | 3.25 | 9.85 |
| Lysine | 0.873 | 3.23 | 1.325 | 4.89 | 2.78 | 8.42 |
| Methionine | 0.122 | 0.45 | 0.350 | 1.29 | 0.81 | 2.45 |
| Phenylalanine | 1.057 | 3.92 | 1.388 | 5.12 | 1.47 | 4.45 |
| Threonine | 0.654 | 2.42 | 1.188 | 4.38 | 1.42 | 4.30 |
| Tryptophan | – | – | 0.450 | 1.66 | 0.39 | 1.18 |
| Valine | 0.987 | 3.66 | 1.063 | 3.92 | 2.09 | 6.33 |
1 MOLM dried powder.
2{ g amino acid/16g N= 100x 16/N(feed)} – [Maynard&Loosli 1962, McGRAW-HILL, N.Y., P104].
3Williams,H.H., et al (1955). The essential amino acid composition of animal feeds. Cornell Univ. Agr. Expt. Sta. Mem. 337.:Cited in: Maynard &Loosli, in ANIMAL NUTRITION, 5th,edition,P104.
Inclusion of MOLM in chicks ration at all levels, positively affected the chick performance, as shown in Table 3. The chicks fed MOLM diets consumed (P<0.05) more dry matter, metabolizable energy as well as more crude protein than those fed the control diet (0%M); as a result they gained (P<0.05) more weight. However, within MOLM fed groups dietary intake and weight gain increased as MOLM concentration in the diet, raised from 2%M up to 6%M. Generally in the present study, the tendency for feed consumption and chick performance to improve with increasing dietary MOLM concentration agrees with various reports from other studies; notably those by Duo et al., (2001),
Olugbem et al., (2010), Onuand Aniebo (2011), and Melesse et al., (2011), who used M. stenopetala. They indicated that performance improvement was associated with leaf meal dietary inclusion rate not exceeding 5-6%.
Moringa dry matter and crude protein intakes had positively increased body gain and gain conversion rates, in an increasing progressive trend. This improvement could likely be attributed to MOLM protein quality effect.
Table 3. Broiler chicks growth performance on Moringa oleifera leaf meal supplemented; 2%, 4%, and 6% diets
| Item | Treatments | Effect | |||||
| Control | 2%M | 4%M | 6%M | SEM | Feed | Week | |
| Dry matter intake (g): | |||||||
| Weekly | 402.7a | 661.9b | 814.4c | 1044.3d | 10.91 | – | *** |
| Total | 2725.0a | 3039.6d | 2980.0c | 2948.4b | 10.91 | ** | – |
| Energy intake(Mcal): | |||||||
| Weekly | 2.155a | 2.375b | 2.345b | 2.319b | 0.0336 | *** | – |
| Total | 8.619a | 9.503b | 9.381c | 9.276bc | 0.0336 | * | – |
| Body weight gain (g): | |||||||
| Total | 1434.4a | 1635.8b | 1688.2b | 1615.2b | 53.49 | * | – |
| Daily | 51a | 58b | 60b | 58b | 2.7 | * | – |
| Period (days) | 28 | 28 | 28 | 28 | – | – | – |
| Feed conversion ratio – FCR | 1.92 | 1.85 | 1.77 | 1.83 | 0.07 | NS | – |
| Total CP intake (g) | 654.0a | 699.4b | 707.8b | 700.3b | 2.44 | * | *** |
| PER – (gain/CP intake) | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.39 | 2.31 | 0.09 | NS | – |
| Moringa intake (g): | |||||||
| MOLM | – | 60.79a | 120.81b | 176.90c | 2.669 | *** | ** |
| MOLM CP intake (g/g) | – | 16.94a | 33.67b | 49.30c | 0.744 | *** | ** |
| Body gain/ 18 Inclusion of Moringa oleifera in broiler feeds Moringa intake (g/g) | – | 56.00a | 29.92b | 18.53c | 2.886 | *** | ** |
| Body gain/ MOLM CP intake (g/g) | – | 139.20a | 100.65b | 66.48c | 9.130 | *** | ** |
| Mortality (%) | 12 | 10 | 12 | 8 | 0.24 | NS | – |
Numerical increase in digestibility values of CP and CF up to 6% inclusion level of MOLM were obtained, but there were no differences (P>0.05) among tested groups in apparent retention of all nutrients examined, as can be observed in Table 4 .
Table 4. Nutrient digestibility (%) of Moringa oleifera leaf meal diets fed to broiler chicks.
| Dietary | treatment | |||||
| Control | 2%M | 4%M | 6%M | SEM | Sign. | |
| Nutrient | ||||||
| Dry matter | 68.03 | 64.58 | 66.02 | 64.94 | 2.99 | NS |
| Organic matter | 72.91 | 68.75 | 69.74 | 71.65 | 2.59 | NS |
| Crude protein | 88.67 | 87.28 | 88.72 | 90.09 | 1.12 | NS |
| Ether extractives | 79.72 | 75.01 | 73.45 | 71.20 | 4.86 | NS |
| Crude fibre | 21.7 | 24.44 | 19.14 | 33.11 | 6.90 | NS |
Data of slaughter , and carcass characteristics, (Table 5) indicated significant differences (P<0.05) in slaughter weight, carcass weight, breast weight, abdominal fat and dressing percentage in chicks fed MOLM than those fed the control feed (0%M). Thigh, drumstick, giblet, wing and neck tend to increase in weight with inclusion of MOLM in the diet, but without significant differences (P>0.05) among tested groups. These results are in line with report by Iheukwumere et al., )2008(, and disagree with the results reported by Abdelmulalab )2005(.
Table 5. Carcass analysis of broilers fed Moringa oleifera leaf meal diets
| Dietary | treatments | |||||
| Control | 2%M | 4%M | 6%M | SEM | Sign. | |
| Parameter | ||||||
| Slaughter weight (g) | 1840a | 2065b | 2060b | 2000ab | 63.42 | * |
| Carcass weight (g) | 1305a | 1505b | 1515b | 1450ab | 52.03 | * |
| Dressing % | 70.67a | 72.92b | 73.34b | 72.46ab | 0.70 | * |
| Back (g) | 280 | 310 | 325 | 300 | 15.92 | NS |
| Breast (g) | 440a | 496b | 510b | 470ab | 18.29 | * |
| Drum stick (g) | 190 | 195 | 200 | 205 | 4.86 | NS |
| Wing (g) | 155 | 155 | 151 | 155 | 5.73 | NS |
| Giblets (g) | 104.00 | 114.87 | 113.33 | 109.68 | 3.96 | NS |
| Thigh (g) | 276 | 290 | 295 | 290 | 11.07 | NS |
| Neck (g) | 89.95 | 99.68 | 100.02 | 93.4 | 3.43 | NS |
| Abdominal fat (g) | 18.43ab | 22.62ab | 24.83b | 16.39a | 2.35 | * |
It can be concluded that Moring oleifera leaf meal protein could be partially used to substitute for groundnut cake in broiler feeds. Minor deficiencies in Lysine, Methionine, Therionine and possibly Tryptophan may be ameliorated by modulating their supplementation rates in the compounded feed.
The constraints to enhanced utilization of MOLM reside chiefly with factors such as fibre content, and the presence of anti-nutritive compounds, observed at inclusion rates higher than 6%, which need further investigation.
References
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nutritional components of whole and ethanol extracted Moringa oleifera leaves. Animal feed Science and Technology. 63:211-228.
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Authors:
Suad G Mohamed Beitake
Afaf Abdelrahim Mabrouk
Nuha Hamed Talib
Yousif Rizgalla Sulieman
أثر استبدال كسب الفول السوداني في الغذاء بمسحوق ورق نبات
المورينقا أوليفيرا علي نمو الكتاكيت اللاحمة
سعاد جعفر بتيك, عفاف عبد الرحيم مبروك–, نهاء حامد طالب و يوسف رزق الله سليمان
الملخص:
أستخدمت مائتى كتكوت لاحم غير مجنس في تخطيط تجريبي عشوائي تام لدراسة التأثير علي النمو في الكتاكيت عند أستبدال كسب الفول السوداني في غذائها بمسحوق ورق نبات المورينقاأوليفيرا بنسب 2% ، 4% و6%. إستهلكت الكتاكيت التي أطعمت ورق المورينقا من المادة الجافة ، الطاقة الممثلة والبروتين الخام ، كميات أكبر من أستهلاك مجموعة كتاكيت الشاهد (0%) نتيجة لذلك كان لها الكسب الأعلي في النمو.
أرتفع أستهلاك المادة الجافة والوزن المكتسب أرتفاعآ مضطردآ بأرتفاع تركيز مسحوق ورق المورينقا في الغذاء بالتوالي من 2% إلي 6%. عزي الأرتفاع في الوزن المكتسب ومعدل التحويل الغذائي (معدل تحويل الوزن) ربما إلي أثر جودة بروتين ورق نبات المورينقا.
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