The nutritive value of Gurum seed cakes (Citrullus lanatus var. colocynthoid) as feed for ruminants

Abstract

Two types of Gurum seed cakes (Citrullus lanatus var. 
colocynthoid) chemical and mechanical oil extracted, were analysed 
to determine their chemical composition. 
Three fistulated Nubian goats were used to determine the 
degradability of DM and CP by incubating the samples in nylon 
bags for 3, 6, 12, 18, 24, 36 and 48 hr. in the rumen. The rumen 
fluid from these fistulated goats was used to estimate the 
Metabolizable Energy content (ME) according to gas production 
technique. The results showed that the nutritive value, (chemical 
composition, degradability and energy content) was high in both 
types. The high CP content 192.5 and 185.3 g/kg of chemical and 
mechanical extracted cakes respectively, suggests that Gurum 
cake can be used as a source of protein supplement to ruminant 
animals.