Journal articles on the topic 'Tropical kudzu seed meal'

This study investigates the use of germinated Pueraria phaseoloides (Tropical kudzu seed): GPPSM in practical diets for Nile tilapia Oreochromis niloticus fingerlings. Fish (mean initial weight 1.4±0.1 g) were fed five isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets formulated, at 35% crude protein and 9% lipid-containing different levels of inclusion of GPPSM and designated as D1 (0 % inclusion), D2 (10 % inclusion), D3 (20 % inclusion), D4 (30 % inclusion) and D5 (40 % inclusion) for 56 days. 20 fish per hapa were accommodated in Fifteen net hapa (0.5×0.5×1m3) suspended in two outdoor concrete ponds (8m × 5m × 1.5m) with the aid of kuralon twine tied to plastic poles, the concrete ponds were filled to 5/6 of its volume (40m3) with filtered and dechlorinated tap water. The fish were fed at 5% body weight three times daily. The results showed that fish fed D3 and D4 had the highest significantly values in all the growth and nutrient utilization values measured and were significantly different (P<0.05) from fish fed other experimental diets, while fish fed D5 had the lowest value, however, was not significantly different (P>0.05) from fish fed D1 and D2. There was no significant difference in the percentage survival and apparent nutrient digestibility among all the fish fed the experimental diets. The general assessment shows that fish fed all the experimental diets did well in all the growth parameters measured and D4 had a better feed utilization than the other fish fed the experimental diets. In conclusion, the inclusion of GPPSM up to 30% is suitable and had no negative impact on the growth, survival and nutrient utilization of O. niloticus fingerlings. This study also shows that GPPSM can be a potential ingredient for the aquafeed industry.

Protein nutrition plays a key role in ruminant performance and represents the largest proportion of costs in animal feed. The present study evaluated whether the roughage portion of Santa Inês sheep diets could be supplemented with different ratios of tropical kudzu as a protein source and assessed the best inclusion level of tropical kudzu based on digestibility, intake, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior. Twenty rams were evaluated during the 20-day experimental period, and they were fed formulated diets with a roughage portion (60%) consisting of Elephant grass and tropical kudzu, the latter supplemented at different concentrations (0, 25, 50 and 75% on a dry matter basis). Forty percent of the concentrate portion consisted primarily of ground corn and soybean meal adjusted to obtain an isoproteic diet. Chemical and bromatological analyses, as well as, analyses to assess intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance and feeding behavior, were conducted. No statistically significant differences were found (P>0.05) for the intake and digestibility of dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), hemicellulose (HEMI), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) and total digestible nutrients (TDN) or for the feeding behavior (feeding, rumination and idle times in h/day) and nitrogen balance between the diets studied. Thus, tropical kudzu can be considered a feed alternative to supplementation with prime protein foods (in this case, soybean meal) in sheep diets.

This research study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary supplementation of kudzu leaf meal (KLM) and alfalfa meal (AM) on broiler performance, carcass characteristics, and organ parameters. Kudzu leaf meal and AM were added at rates of 6% and 7.3%, respectively, to a complete broiler starter diet. Three treatments (control (complete broiler starter diet), KLM supplementation; and AM supplementation) with four replicates were fed to 217 male broilers over a 21 d battery cage grow out. Data were analyzed as a completely randomized design with battery cage representing the experimental unit. Birds on KLM and AM had a lower average body weight, lower cumulative feed consumption, and a higher adjusted feed conversion than control (p < 0.05). Additionally, there were observed treatment effects on whole breast weight (p = 0.0010), with control being higher than both treated diets. Minimal treatment effects were observed for organ parameters. Furthermore, there were no observed treatment differences for mortality (p > 0.05). Although broilers on KLM did not perform as well as those in the control group, these results are indicative that kudzu is safe to use in poultry production and has a high potential as a protein supplement in tropical regions with a low availability of commercial protein feedstuffs.

This study aimed to evaluate the viability of seeds of butterfly pea, stylosanthes cv. Campo Grande, tropical kudzu and archer after passage through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) of goats; and to evaluate these animals as dispersing agents. Fifty grams of seeds of each plant were mixed with the concentrate and given to 20 goats, whose feces were collected up to 102 hours after ingestion for seed retrieval and subsequent germination test. This was a completely randomized design in a factorial arrangement: 4 Fabaceae plants x 17 sampling times with five replicates. The percentage of seed retrieval ranged from 16.9 to 70.9%; butterfly pea and archer, respectively. The passage through the GIT positively affected the germination of kudzu seeds; which presented the highest germination average (45%), and negatively the seeds of stylosanthes and butterfly pea, which presented respectively, 15 and 13%. The period of highest seed dispersal was 24 - 42 hours, peaking in 36 hours. Under these conditions, goats may be considered as legitimate seed dispersers.

This study describes the development of tropical kudzu seeds incorporated in the coconut coir net (coconet) twines as a potential improvement in the installation of geonets for slope protection. The performance of the system was determined by installing the net (2x3m) in a sloping (40-45%) plot using a 32 factorial experiment. The three factors are fertilizer (with and without), seed spacing (152x152mm and 305x305mm), and seeding (direct seeding and integrated into the net) with three replications. Response variables were germination rate, vegetation index, and the volume of soil collected. Results showed that the average germination rate ranged from 51% to 84%. The highest germination rate yielded from the treatment with no fertilizer and integrated into the net. The average vegetation index for all treatments was more than 92% for the 12-week duration. Unfortunately, no soil particles were collected due to the low rainfall during the conduct of the study. In the long run, the coconet incorporated with tropical kudzu is found to be a more economical slope protection solution as it will not require regular re-installation as compared to a regular coconet. Furthermore, it is recommended to further study the establishment of tropical kudzu considering a longer period of time and actual slope protection setup.

Abstract. A feeding trial was conducted for 16 weeks to evaluate the effects and cost-benefits of feeding raw or processed Senna obtusifolia (S. obtusifolia) seed meal based-diets on the laying performance of ISA brown laying hens. Six experimental diets were compounded to contain 0% S. obtusifolia seed meal (T1) and 20% each of the raw, boiled, soaked, sprouted and fermented S. obtusifolia seed meals designated as T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively. One hundred and eighty (180) ISA brown laying hens aged 36 weeks were housed in battery cages (5 birds/0.95m2) and assigned to the six (6) dietary treatments in groups of thirty (30) birds in a completely randomized design. Each replicate cage contains 10 laying hens. Data were collected on feed intake, hen-day egg production (HDEP), hen-house egg production (HHEP), egg weight, egg mass, feed conversion ratio per egg mass, feed cost per kilogram, feed cost per egg mass and mortality. The results indicated that the group of laying hens fed raw S. obtusifolia seed meal based diet recorded the lowest HDEP (52.42%), egg weight (53.08g) and egg mass (2782.45g). Among the hens fed the processed S. obtusifolia seed meal based diets, the laying hens fed the fermented S. obtusifolia seed meal based diet indicated significantly (p<0.05) better HDEP (64.05%), egg weight (58.45g) and egg mass (3743.72g). On economic grounds, the use of raw S. obtusifolia is not cost effective because feed cost per kilogram egg was relatively high (N317.47 or $0.82) in the group of laying hens fed raw S. obtusifolia seed meal based diet. However, the processed S. obtusifolia seed meal based diets showed some economic advantage. In conclusion, 20% of fermented S. obtusifolia seed meal can be incorporated in the diets of laying hens with little or no depreciation in laying performance and economic-benefits.

The experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of the partial substitution of soybean meal with raw and processed lupin seed (Lupinus angustifolius) meals on growth and carcass performances of Cobb 500 broiler chickens. Two hundred unsexed day-old chicks with similar body weight were randomly assigned to four treatment diets in completely randomized design with 5 replicates. The four dietary treatments diets were 0 % lupin seed meal (T1), 15 % raw lupin seed meal (RLS, T2), 15 % heat-treated dehulled lupin seed meal (HDLS, T3) and 15 % heat-treated lupin seed meal (HLS, T4). The CP content of RLS, HDLS, and HLS were 33.5, 37.1, and 35.4 %, respectively. The highest total and daily feed intake was observed in chickens reared in control diet (T1) while the lowest from T2 and T4 diets and differed (p<0.05) with the T1 diet. However, no significance effect was observed in feed conversion ratio among the treatment diets. Chickens fed with T1 diet had higher (p<0.05) final body weight, total and daily weight gains than those reared in T2 and T4 diets while these values were comparable to those fed on T3 diet. Similarly, higher (p<0.05) values were observed for slaughter weight, dressed carcass weight, drumsticks, keel bone meat, wings, neck and back and thorax in chickens fed with T1 diet than those of T2 and T4 diets; but these values did not differ with chickens fed on the T3 diet. The gizzard weight was similar between chickens fed with T1 and T3 diets while those on T2 and T4 diets had lower (p<0.05) values than those of T1 diet. The highest liver weight was observed in T1 diet while the lowest in T2 and differed (p<0.05). In conclusion it would be economically beneficial to replace 15 % of the soybean meal with heat-treated dehulled blue lupin seed meal in broilers ration under tropical environment

Background Moringa peregrina (M.P) is a multipurpose promising tree that grows widely in Asia and Africa’s tropical and subtropical regions. It is generally rich in nutrients especially oil which can be used for edible or nonedible purposes and also rich in protein. However, some anti-nutritional substances, namely glucosinolates (GSLs), remain in M.P meal preventing its utilization in animal or human feeding. These substances though good for the plant to defend against herbivores, cause deleterious effects or are even toxic to animals and humans. GSLs are the most important anti-nutritional substances in M.P seed and meal. Objective Accordingly, this investigation aims to use different techniques for oil extraction from M.P seed and their effect on the GSLs content of the meal remaining after oil extraction, then the meal is detoxified to be suitable for using in animal or human feeding. Materials and methods In this study, M.P meal was obtained as a by-product left over after oil extraction from moringa seed by different extraction procedures including (hydraulic press, screw pressing, extraction by solvent via Soxhlet, and prepress − solvent extraction at room temperature).The sinalbin, moringin, and total GSLs were determined and identified by HPLC. Detoxification of GSLs was then applied for M.P meal remaining after oil extraction by hexane, using soaking in water followed by a water-washing treatment. Results and conclusion The results indicated that sinalbin and moringin are the major dominant GSLs in M.P seed and meal. Moreover, the total GSLs content in the meal that remained after all different oil extraction techniques was significantly higher when compared with their content in the seed. Also, the results showed that there was a significant decrease in the level of total GSLs in M.P meal as a result of the water treatment. It decreased from 941.8±34.14 nmol/mg in defatted meal before water treatment to 23.97±18.31 nmol/mg in residues left after treatment with water for 15 min. Therefore, soaking in water followed by a water-washing treatment is the simplest and most efficient process to remove the GSLs from M.P meal to be suitable for animal feeding.

The eight-week feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the nutrient digestibility and growth performance of broiler chickens fed raw or processed Senna obtusifolia seed meal (SOSM). Six experimental diets were compounded to contain 0% SOSM and 20% each of the raw, boiled, soaked, sprouted and fermented SOSM respectively. Two hundred and sixteen (216) broiler chicks were randomly allotted to six (6) dietary treatments in a randomised complete block design with three (3) replicates containing 12 chicks each. Data were collected on nutrient digestibility, feed intake, weight gain, feed conversion ratio and mortality. The result of productive performance indicated that feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were significantly (P<0.05) depressed in broiler chickens fed raw, soaked and sprouted Senna obtusifolia seed meal. However, broiler chickens fed fermented SOSM showed better (P<0.05) productive performance that was close to those fed the positive control diet (0% SOSM). The mortality rate did not reveal any particular trend. However, the low mortality rate recorded in the different treatments indicated broiler chicken can tolerate up to 20% of either raw or processed SOSM. Broiler chickens fed raw SOSM recorded lower values for dry matter (63.06%), crude protein (52.46%), ether extract (53.88%), crude fibre (30.72%) and nitrogen-free extract (46.11%) digestibility than those fed the other processed SOSM. The nutrient digestibility of broiler chickens fed fermented SOSM was significantly (P<0.05) better followed by those fed boiled Senna obtusifolia seed meal. For instance, broiler chickens fed fermented Senna obtusifolia seed meal recorded the highest crude protein and ether extract of 69.91 and 70.03% compared to the other processing methods. It can be concluded that 20% fermented SOSM can be incorporated in the diets of broiler chickens with acceptable depreciation in biological performance. Slightly lower levels of boiled SOSM can be included in the diet of broiler chickens but the levels should be ascertained in further studies.

<strong>Abstract:</strong> Baobab tree (<em>Adansonia digitata)</em> is an indigenous of tropical plant predominant in Nigeria. Baobab tree produces seeds that are not only rich in protein (20%- 36% CP) and energy (1,898 - 4,465kCal/kg) but also provides some necessary fiber, vitamins, minerals and amino acids, particularly, lysine and methionine which is capable of complementing the protein of maize (8%) in poultry diets. One hundred (100) day old Broiler chicks were purchased from a reputable farm (Zartech) Jos plateau State. Birds were managed intensively using animal welfare guide 2006. Four (4) broiler starter experimental diets were formulated such that the fermented baobab seed meal replaced soybeans at 0%, 7.5%, 15% and 22.5% dietary levels respectively. The study was carried out to investigate the effect of varying levels of fermented baobab seed on biochemical indices. Birds on Fermented baobab seed meal (FBSM) showed significant (P &lt;0.05) effect on uric acid with a significantly increased in value of 4.27 mg/d on birds fed diet T3. High inclusion rate of FBSM (15% and 22.5%) revealed higher numerical value of 59.97mg/dl and 47.90 mg/dl for creatinine. From the result of this study, it was concluded that fermented baobab seed meal (FBSM) had no significant influence on most of the serum biochemical parameters observed except uric acid. However, the inclusion level of 15% may be safe for improved growth and serum biochemical characteristics in broiler chickens at starter phase. <strong>Keywords:</strong> Serum-biochemical, broilers, graded levels, baobab, meal. <strong>Title:</strong> Effects of Varying Levels of Fermented Baobab Seed Meal on Serum Biochemical Components of Broiler Chickens at Starter Phase <strong>Author:</strong> ANTHONY ALVADIS ALLAHOKI <strong>International Journal of Life Sciences Research</strong> <strong>ISSN 2348-313X (Print), ISSN 2348-3148 (online)</strong> <strong>Vol. 11, Issue 3, July 2023 - September 2023</strong> <strong>Page No: 72-75</strong> <strong>Research Publish Journals</strong> <strong>Website: www.researchpublish.com</strong> <strong>Published Date: 12-September-2023</strong> <strong>DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.8337849</strong> <strong>Paper Download Link (Source)</strong> <strong>https://www.researchpublish.com/papers/effects-of-varying-levels-of-fermented-baobab-seed-meal-on-serum-biochemical-components-of-broiler-chickens-at-starter-phase</strong>

A technique involving the measurement of the gas production from the microbial fermentation of a specified substrate in sealed conditions has recently been proposed as a method of assessing the fermentation kinetics of tropical feeds (Theodorou et al, 1992). The objective of this work was to determine if such a technique could be used to assess the dry matter degradability of protein supplements.1g air dried feed samples were placed with 95 ml of modified van Soest media and 5 ml of strained rumen liquor in 150 ml serum bottles and sealed under anaerobic conditions. Five replicates of soya bean meal (SBM), fish meal (FM), rape seed meal (RSM) and winter beans (WB) were set up together with control blanks that lacked the test feed. Bottles were incubated at 39.5°C for a 96 hour period and gas production volume measured at regular intervals. Cumulative gas production was corrected for the blanks and sample dry matter and plotted against time.

The control variables involved in the extraction of seed protein from Terminalia catapa seed meal have being investigated. These include extraction time, pH, solid-solvent ratio. Protein and fractionated into albumin (4.25%), glutelin (3.57%), prolamin (8.96%) and globulin (6.35%). The extraction time (min) of 15, 30, 45 and 60 were used for fractionation of the seed protein. The results showed an increase in protein yield across the fractions with increasing extraction time; highest protein yield of 10.2% was recorded in prolamin at 60 mins. The pH dependent solubility profile revealed that the region of iso-electric point (minimum solubility) was at pH 8.0, the solubility reduced as the pH increased until it reached the iso-electric point which was followed by progressive increase in solubility with further increase in pH. The solid-solvent ratio of 1:5, 1:10, 1:20, 1:30 and 1:40 were used and the result shows that there was increase across the fraction with increasing solid-solvent ratio. Highest protein yield was recorded at ratio 1:40

Aquaculture&rsquo;s role in economic development, health and environment is very substantial. Giant freshwater prawn (<em>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</em>) comprises an important fishery in many natural freshwater bodies in several tropical and sub-tropical countries all over the world. This study evaluated the effect of incorporating potential plant-based feedstuff in aquaculture, specifically the&nbsp;<em>Terminalia catappa&nbsp;</em>seed meal (TCSM) on the growth characteristics and survival rate of the cultured prawn. The experiment was carried out for 60 days in freshwater tanks in three (3) replications with the following treatments: T0- Control (Commercial Feeds), T1- 5%, T2 &ndash; 10% and T3- 20%, which were laid out in Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Data were subjected to One way ANOVA at p=0.05. Results showed that those fed with 10% TCSM in Treatment 2 got the highest growth increment of 7.09 g in weight and 17.93 mm in length. Specific growth rate of 11.82 %BW day^-1&nbsp;and 29.88 %day^-1&nbsp;in terms of weight and length respectively were also obtained from Treatment 2. For the survival rate, prawns fed with 10% TCSM also got the highest survival presentage of 98% which is significantly higher than the control treatment. Results suggested that incorporation of&nbsp;<em>Terminalia catappa</em>&nbsp;seed meal in prawn diet is a potential supplementation for better growth as well as survival of giant freshwater prawn (<em>Macrobrachium rosenbergii</em>). published by the&nbsp;<strong> International Journal of Biosciences (IJB)</strong>

In recent times, Jatropha curcas has attracted attention of various research organizations, governments, public and international developmental agencies and industries in the tropics and subtropics due to its adaptability to semi-arid marginal sites, the possibility of using its oil as a diesel fuel substitute and its role in erosion control. In tropical countries it is well known for its medicinal properties and as an oilseed. The seeds of J. curcas are a good source of oil, yielding between 40 – 80 % oil. Although the seed cake meal is rich in protein, it is toxic to rats, mice, ruminants and humans due to the presence of antinutritional factors; thus, its use as food or feed source has not been encouraging. However, recent findings indicate that after a proper detoxification process the seed meal can serve as a protein substitute in feed meals of animal feeds. The seeds of J. curcas were collected, dehulled, grounded and defatted to obtain the seed cake. The seed cake was divided into five portions, 60 g of each of the cake portion was separately moistened with 1 M, 2 M, 3 M, 4 M and 5 M NaOH solutions, respectively and autoclaved. Each of the autoclaved samples was washed with water and later with ethanol. A 60 g of the seed cake which was not treated with NaOH, water and ethanol was labeled untreated. The treated and untreated seed cakes were thus analyzed for their crude protein contents as well as amino acid profile. The untreated seed cake afforded 63.02 % yield of crude protein, while the crude protein content of the treated seed cake was 70.53, 71.46, 67.76, 60.82 and 56.19 % for the 1 – 5 M NaOH treated seed cake, respectively with the 2 M NaOH treated seed cake having the highest yield. The amino acid profile of the treated seed cake was similar and comparable to the values of WHO/FAO standard and those of soybeans. The seed can thus be used as an alternative protein source in animal feed formulation after it has been properly detoxified. If well processed, it would reduce competition between man and livestock for the conventional sources of proteins.

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Many plant species have seeds embedded in their fleshy pulp to attract frugivores, which enhances the chance of seed dispersal. However, some tropical plants are evolved with sharp spines to avoid herbivores and/or to prevent water loss, which makes foraging by frugivores difficult. Such plants receive frugivores' attention, either because of resource scarcity or adaptive behavioural plasticity. We have a limited understanding of how fruit-eating animals access fruits protected by spines. In this 1-year study, we describe bat foraging on a spiny tropical shrub, Ziziphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae) whose dried branches are often used by the local people to capture bats in caves that inevitably damage their wing membranes. The greater short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx was the only visitor to this spiny plant during its fruiting season and predominantly extracted fruits using a hovering tactic (on 81% observations) without damaging wing membranes. The hovering enabled them to extract fruits quicker than when alighting on the tree. Bats carried all the fruits away from the parent tree to feeding roosts for consumption. Bat foraging has thus effectuated short-distance seed dispersal (range 11–70 m radii) in which most seeds (30.73%) were found at the distance of 31–40 m in our search up to 150 m. Although bats extracted both ripe and unripe fruits, ripe-fruit extraction was 4.5 × higher than the unripe fruits. This study shows the tradeoff between getting a good meal and contending with spines in a resource-scarce habitat. Besides, this study describes the adaptive foraging tactics of greater short-nosed fruit bats that facilitate short-distance seed dispersal.

(Uploaded by Plazi for the Bat Literature Project) Many plant species have seeds embedded in their fleshy pulp to attract frugivores, which enhances the chance of seed dispersal. However, some tropical plants are evolved with sharp spines to avoid herbivores and/or to prevent water loss, which makes foraging by frugivores difficult. Such plants receive frugivores' attention, either because of resource scarcity or adaptive behavioural plasticity. We have a limited understanding of how fruit-eating animals access fruits protected by spines. In this 1-year study, we describe bat foraging on a spiny tropical shrub, Ziziphus mauritiana (Rhamnaceae) whose dried branches are often used by the local people to capture bats in caves that inevitably damage their wing membranes. The greater short-nosed fruit bat, Cynopterus sphinx was the only visitor to this spiny plant during its fruiting season and predominantly extracted fruits using a hovering tactic (on 81% observations) without damaging wing membranes. The hovering enabled them to extract fruits quicker than when alighting on the tree. Bats carried all the fruits away from the parent tree to feeding roosts for consumption. Bat foraging has thus effectuated short-distance seed dispersal (range 11–70 m radii) in which most seeds (30.73%) were found at the distance of 31–40 m in our search up to 150 m. Although bats extracted both ripe and unripe fruits, ripe-fruit extraction was 4.5 × higher than the unripe fruits. This study shows the tradeoff between getting a good meal and contending with spines in a resource-scarce habitat. Besides, this study describes the adaptive foraging tactics of greater short-nosed fruit bats that facilitate short-distance seed dispersal.

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong> The changing global economy and the food surpluses around the world have now stimulated an interest in seeking a new alternative crop especially an Oilseed Crop. Niger seed (<em>G. abyssinica)</em> is drawing commercial and academic attention because of its nutritional value, biological activities and excellent antioxidant properties. Niger seed has diverse application and hence this seed is of great industrial importance. Presence of polyphenols in Niger seed has been reported previously. Phenolic compounds, naturally found in plants are of considerable interest and have enticed researchers around the globe in recent years due to their bioactive functions. These components are known as secondary plant metabolites and have antimicrobial, antiviral and anti-inflammatory properties along with their high antioxidant capacity. And thus, presence of such properties makes polyphenol a functional food. Enzyme-assisted extraction has attracted interest among researchers across industries like food, pharmaceutical and academia. This extraction method of polyphenols from plants is a suitable alternative to conventional solvent based extraction methods. The application of hydrolytic enzymes for extraction of natural functional compounds from plants is widely investigated in recent years for its advantages in easy operation, high efficiency, eco-friendly nature and preserving the bioactive properties of the extracts. This review summarizes the nutritional composition of Niger seed and importance of polyphenols which are known to be present in Niger seed. It also discusses the advantages of using eco-friendly extraction methods known as enzyme assisted extraction. <strong>Keywords</strong>: Niger seed meal, Enzyme-assisted extraction, Phenolic compounds, <em>G. abyssinica</em> <strong><em>REFERENCES</em></strong> Cherry J P et al. (1989). <em>Plant sources of lecithin.</em> AOCS Press. 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(1999). The determination of flavonoidcontents in mulberry and their scavenging effects on superoxide radicals. <em>Food Chem</em>. 64, 555&ndash;559. Joshi, C. and Khare, S.K. (2011). Utilization of deoiled <em>Jatropha curcas </em>seed cake for production of xylanase from thermophilic <em>Scytalidium thermophilum</em>. <em>Biores Technol</em>.102(2):1722-1726. Kapur, C. and Kapoor, H. C. (2001). Antioxidants in fruits and vegetables: The millenium&rsquo;s health. <em>Int. J. Food Sci. Technol. </em>36:703&ndash;725. Krishna, C. (2005). Solid state fermentation systems-An overview. <em>Crit Rev Biotechnol. </em>25: 1-30. Krygier, K., Sosulki, F., &amp; Hogge, L. (1982a). Free, esterified and insoluble bound phenolic acids. 1. Extraction and purification procedure. <em>J. Agri. Food Chem</em>. 30, 330&ndash;334. Le Bourvellec, C., Guyot, S., &amp; Renard, C. M. G. C. (2004). Non covalent interaction between procyanidins and apple cell wall material. Part 1: Effect of some environmental parameters. <em>Biochimica and Biophysica Acta</em>. 1672, 192&ndash;202. Leo&acute; n-Dı&acute;az R, Meckes M, Said-Ferna&acute; ndez S, Molina-Salinas GM, Vargas-Villarreal J, Torres J, Luna-Herrera J, Jime&acute; nez-Arellanes A (2010): Antimycobacterial neolignans isolated from <em>Aristolochia taliscana</em>. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz, 105:45-51. Maier. T., et al., (2008). Optimization of a process for enzyme-assisted pigment extraction Marini, F., Magri, A.L., Marini, D., &amp; Balestrieri, F. (2003). Characterization of the lipid fraction of niger seeds (<em>Guizotia abyssinica cass.</em>) from different regions of Ethiopia &amp; India &amp; chemometric authentication of their geographical origin. <em>Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol. </em>105: 697&ndash;704.

The scarcity and increasing cost of conventional plant protein sources prompted researches into potential feed resources that are relatively of less importance to man. Loofah gourd (Luffa cylindrical (M.J. Roem) is a plant that is widely available in most tropical, subtropical and temperate region. In Nigeria it grows luxuriantly uncultivated and the sponge is often used for domestic cleaning while the seeds are discarded. The seeds were de-hulled, milled and fed at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% dietary levels of inclusion as partial total replacement for groundnut cake. One hundred and fifty (150) day-old broiler chicks were divided into five (5) groups and each was fed the experimental diets for fifty six (56) days in a completely randomised design (CRD) arrangement. Data collected included the average feed intake (AFI), average weight gain (AWG), live weight (LW) feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), haematology indices such as pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and haemoglobin (Hb), serological variables such as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartic aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and carcass characteristics. Loofah gourd seed meal (LGSM) significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed the feed intake, weight gain, live weight, and protein efficiency ratio of the birds as the dietary inclusion of LGSM increased in a similar trend. AFI, AWG, and PER were significantly highest (P&lt;0.05) in birds on the control group (125.88 g/day, 51.37 g/day, and 1.81 respectively) and lowest in those on 20% LGSM (62.88 g/day, 19.35 and 1.39 respectively). PCV and Hb were significantly highest (P&lt;0.05) in birds on the control group (10.46 g/dl and 34% respectively) and lowest in those on 15% LGSM (21%) and 10%LGSM (6.98g/dl) respectively. Birds fed with the control diet had the lowest (P&lt;0.05) AST (86.13 U/I), ALT (5.67 U/I) and ALP (112,338.90) and those on 20% LGSM had the highest AST (104.18 U/), ALT (10.98 U/D while the highest ALP (201,762.90) was in birds fed 10% LGSM. Weight of liver and spleen expressed as percentage of live weight were significantly lowest in birds on the control group (1.38 and 0.18 respectively) and highest in those on 15% LGSM (4.08 and 1.50 respectively). The increased in liver and spleen weight coupled with increased serum enzymes activities suggest the presence of anti-nutrient in LGSM. Hence, the use of LGSM beyond 5% level of inclusion is not beneficial in the production of broiler.

The scarcity and increasing cost of conventional plant protein sources prompted researches into potential feed resources that are relatively of less importance to man. Loofah gourd (Luffa cylindrical (M.J. Roem) is a plant that is widely available in most tropical, subtropical and temperate region. In Nigeria it grows luxuriantly uncultivated and the sponge is often used for domestic cleaning while the seeds are discarded. The seeds were de-hulled, milled and fed at 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20% dietary levels of inclusion as partial total replacement for groundnut cake. One hundred and fifty (150) day-old broiler chicks were divided into five (5) groups and each was fed the experimental diets for fifty six (56) days in a completely randomised design (CRD) arrangement. Data collected included the average feed intake (AFI), average weight gain (AWG), live weight (LW) feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER), haematology indices such as pack cell volume (PCV), red blood cell count (RBC), white blood cell count (WBC) and haemoglobin (Hb), serological variables such as Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartic aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and carcass characteristics. Loofah gourd seed meal (LGSM) significantly (P&lt;0.05) depressed the feed intake, weight gain, live weight, and protein efficiency ratio of the birds as the dietary inclusion of LGSM increased in a similar trend. AFI, AWG, and PER were significantly highest (P&lt;0.05) in birds on the control group (125.88 g/day, 51.37 g/day, and 1.81 respectively) and lowest in those on 20% LGSM (62.88 g/day, 19.35 and 1.39 respectively). PCV and Hb were significantly highest (P&lt;0.05) in birds on the control group (10.46 g/dl and 34% respectively) and lowest in those on 15% LGSM (21%) and 10%LGSM (6.98g/dl) respectively. Birds fed with the control diet had the lowest (P&lt;0.05) AST (86.13 U/I), ALT (5.67 U/I) and ALP (112,338.90) and those on 20% LGSM had the highest AST (104.18 U/), ALT (10.98 U/D while the highest ALP (201,762.90) was in birds fed 10% LGSM. Weight of liver and spleen expressed as percentage of live weight were significantly lowest in birds on the control group (1.38 and 0.18 respectively) and highest in those on 15% LGSM (4.08 and 1.50 respectively). The increase in liver and spleen weight coupled with increased serum enzymes activities suggest the presence of anti-nutrient in LGSM. Hence, the use of LGSM beyond 5% level of inclusion is not beneficial in the production of broiler.

A study was conducted to investigate the effect of raw Senna obtusifolia seed meal (RSOSM) on carcass characteristics, organ weights and economic performance of broilerchickens in a 9 weeks trial. One hundred and eighty (180) broiler chicks weremanaged on deep litter pens. Six (6) experimental diets were formulated to contain RSOSM at concentrations of 0,5, 10, 15, 20 and 25%, and designated as T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6, respectively. The broiler chicks were randomly allotted to the 6 dietary treatments in a randomized complete block design with pen location serving as the blocking factor. Data were collected on final live weight, plucked and dressed weight, cut-up parts and economic performance of broiler chickens fed RSOSM based-diets. The data collected were analysed using a computer statistical package (Statistix, 9.0). Carcass parameters such as dressed weight and dressing percentage were observed to be depressed as the level of RSOSM increases in the diets. Dressing percentage decreased from 78.69 to 52.38% in T1 to T6, respectively. The weight of cut-upparts followed similar trend as above. Thigh and drum stick significantly (P&lt;0.05) decreased from 10.16 to 7.88 g and 9.01 to 6.11g in T1 to T6, respectively. The result of organ weights indicated significant (P&lt;0.05) reduction in weights as the level of RSOSM increases in the experimental diets exceptfortheliverwhich indicated significant (P&lt;0.05)increasein weightas the levels of RSOSM increases in the diets. On economic ground, inclusion of RSOSM beyond 5% in the diets of broiler chickens is not cost effective. This is because feed cost per kilogram weight gain was observed to increase as the level of RSOSM increases in the diets. Feed cost per kilogram body weight gain was observed to increase from N223.84 to N290.18 in T1 to T6, respectively. In conclusion, incorporation of RSOSM beyond 5% in the diets of broiler chickens showed depressive effects on carcass yield and organs weight. Furthermore, inclusion of RSOSM beyond 5% in the diets of broiler chickens is not cost effective. It is recommended that the seeds of RSOSM be thoroughly processed before incorporation in the diets of broiler chickens. There is also urgent need to conduct more studies on the best processing method(s) that will effectively detoxify RSOSM and improve its utilization.

There is rising food insecurity in developing countries caused by rapid population growth which can be partly addressed through poultry keeping. Conventional sources of protein in commercial poultry production are fishmeal (FM) and seed cakes, which are usually scarce, expensive and used extensively by other livestock and humans. The objective of this study was to detect a simple way of producing, harvesting and processing maggots, assess the performance of broiler chickens fed maggot meal as a protein substitute for fishmeal and evaluate cost of production. Maggots of housefly (Musca domestica) were produced from layer droppings spread on the ground under shades and harvested within 4-5days, killed with heated water (70-80°C), dried in the sun to lowest moisture content (&lt;4%), and preserved for proximate analysis and experimentation. Two hundred and twenty-five Tropical Broc day old chicks brooded for 2 weeks and fed with the control diet, were distributed in a completely randomised block design with five treatments and three replicates each consisting of the starter and finisher phases, and the experiment conducted for 8 weeks. Diets compounded had maggot meal (MM) replacing FM at 0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%. Proximate analysis showed that MM contains 48.4% CP, 20% fat, 3302.5 kcal/kg DM ME, 14.5% ASH, 13% CF and 93.9% DM. Results from experimentation revealed that broiler chicken could perform best with MM inclusion of up to 100% in place of FM (5% of the feed), and this would produce significant reduction in cost of production as compared to the control.

A feeding trial was conducted for eight (8) weeks to evaluate the haematological and biochemical indices of broiler chickens fed processed or toasted tropical sickle pod (Senna obtusifolia) seed meal-based diets. five (5) experimental diets were compounded to contain 0% 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% of toasted Senna obtusifolia seed meal designated as T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. One hundred and fifty (150) broiler chicks were randomly allotted to the five (5) dietary treatment in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Each treatment was replicated three times with ten (10) chicks per replicate. At the end of the experiment, blood samples were collected using standard procedure. Each representative blood sample was analysed in triplicates for Packed Cell Volume (PCV), Haemoglobin (Hb), Red Blood Cell (RBC), and White Blood Cell Count (WBC). The serum biochemical indices (Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) were computed using standard formula. The blood samples were also analysed for serum total protein, albumin, uric acid, and cholesterol. The haematological parameters were not significantly (P&gt;0.05) affected by the dietary treatments for the Hb, RBC, MCH, and MCHCThe result of the haematological indices indicates that there were not significant (P&gt;0.05) difference in any of the haematological parameters measured. This implies that place of nutrition was adequate to meet the requirement of all the groups. The Packed Cell Volume (PCV) of 33.73 to 42.16% and haemoglobin concentration (10.56 to 13.53g/dl) values obtained in this study. Similarly, the RBC and WBC values were within the normal range for growing broiler chickens reported by Wikivet (2013). The values of Mean Corpuscular Volume (MCV), Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin (MCH) and Mean Corpuscular Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) are 64.66 to 72.73fl, 20.83 to 23.03pg and 28.73 to 32.63% respectively, were not significant (P&gt;0.05) all within the normal range for broilers.

Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is a fresh vegetable and dessert fruit that may also be cooked or dried, processed for juice and flavoring, and the seeds of which are a source of high-quality cooking oil and high protein seed meal. Melon production throughout many parts of the world is now threatened by the crinivirus Cucurbit yellow stunting disorder virus (CYSDV) in tropical and subtropical areas favorable to its whitefly vector. CYSDV is transmitted by the sweetpotato whitefly, Bemisia tabaci Gennadius, biotypes A, B, and Q. CYSDV first appeared on melon in the 1980s in the United Arab Emirates and emerged on melon in the Yuma, AZ, and Imperial Valley, CA, regions and western Mexico during the Fall season of 2006 followed by Florida in 2007. PI 313970, C. melo var. acidulus Naudin, a salad-type melon from India, expressed high-level resistance to CYSDV in Yuma and Imperial Valley in Fall 2006, but it was not immune; the virus was detected in asymptomatic plants. Inheritance of resistance to CYSDV in PI 313970 was studied in three naturally infected, replicated field tests in Imperial Valley during the Fall seasons of 2007 and 2008 and the Spring season of 2009. Resistance in PI 313970 was recessive: all F1 PI 313970 (PI) × susceptible ‘Top Mark’ (TM) and BCTM individuals were susceptible, and the F2 and BCPI segregated 3:1 and 1:1 susceptible to resistance, respectively. Frequency distributions of CYSDV symptom severity ratings suggested a single recessive gene in PI 313970 for resistance to CYSDV. PI 313970 was, however, observed to be variable for resistance; a few plants in each test expressed distinct symptoms of CYSDV infection and its frequency distributions overlapped those of ‘Top Mark’. This variation may represent genetic variation selectable for uniform reaction to infection by CYSDV or phenotypic variation in the resistant reaction. The genetic relationship between the genes for resistance to CYSDV in PI 313970 (recessive) and TGR-1551 (dominant) is not known.

The development of tropical wheat in Indonesia is currently confined to the availability of wheat’s optimal environments in the highlands. Wheat competes with major highland crops, such as vegetables, which also have high economic values. Despite this, the demand for wheat in Indonesia remains high, whether in the form of wheat flour, wheat meal, or oats. Wheat breeders are actively working to create various crossbreeds so that wheat can adapt and perform effectively in lowland areas. The convergent breeding method is one of the strategies employed to produce genotypes with superior performance. Convergent breeding enhances genetic diversity by incorporating superior traits from all parent plants. The breeding results expedite the emergence of genetic combinations between selected parents. This method involves combining several parent varieties with various traits, with the hope that their offspring will inherit all the characteristics of the crossed parents. Our study with wheat convergent breeding has reached the F6 generation, and in this current study we evaluated the performance of each observed trait in different environments, with the goal of determining the levels of homogeneity and homozygosity. The study utilized a randomized complete block design with three replications, and the crops were planted in various locations. The planting locations selected were those that are &gt;1000 m above sea level (asl), and at a lowland of ± 250 m asl. Wheat performance based on stomatal characteristics showed a reduction in the lowland, which indicates a response to climatic conditions in a particular environment. The higher the environmental temperatures, the smaller the stomatal size, which reduces plant water loss. Noteworthy findings include the tallest plant in CBF-6. CAMN23(265), the highest number of tillers in CBF-6. CAMN233 and CBF-6.CAMN8(4), the largest flag leaf area in CBF-7.CAMN60, and the highest 100-seed weight, as well as overall yield in CBF-7.CAMN119. An analysis of the lowland sensitivity index identified ten moderate genotypes that could potentially adapt well and achieve optimal yields.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale, Roscoe) is a tropical rhizome crop typically grown from rhizome pieces, but can also be produced from seedlings. No information is available on how the seedling method compares with the rhizome piece method in organic ginger culture. In addition, information on the growing of organic ginger in the mid-Atlantic region is lacking. Some of the challenges include limited knowledge of rhizome storage, types of propagation materials for planting in the field or high tunnel, and acceptable organic fertilizers that will not increase the excess P currently polluting the Chesapeake Bay watershed. The objective of this study was to assess plant development, soil nutrients, and economic feasibility of organic ginger derived from different storage conditions and planting materials when grown in different nutrient sources in a high tunnel. Three types of plant material (single-shoot transplant seedlings derived from 36.5–40.0 g/rhizome, multishoot transplant seedlings derived from 60–120 g/rhizome, and rhizome seeds of 60–120 g) and three fertilizers types [cotton seed meal, 6N–0.9P–0.8K (0.18 kg⋅m–2), plus AZOMITE (1 kg⋅m–2); Nature Safe, 13N–0P–0K (0.07 kg⋅m–2); and Phytamin All Purpose Liquid fertilizer, 4N–1.3P–3.3K (0.26 L⋅m–2)] were used in 2018. In 2019 and 2020, three types of plant material and two fertilizer types at modified rates from the 2018 study, plus two storage containers (pans and flats), were tested. In general, the rhizome storage container did not affect plant height, leaf soil plant analysis development (SPAD) index, and rhizome yield, and its effect on tillers was none or mixed. Fertilizer type had mixed effects on plant height and tiller number, and no effect on the leaf SPAD index. Rhizome yields in 2019 and 2020 were unaffected by fertilizer, but Nature Safe produced a greater benefit-to-cost ratio (BCR) and profitability index (PI) than Phytamin. Soil P was generally less in Nature Safe–fertilized soil than in Phytamin-fertilized soil. Multishoot seedlings produced the greatest rhizome yield, BCR, PI, and tallest plants, and had some of the highest tiller numbers. These findings show that it would be more profitable to use multishoot seedlings as planting material in high tunnels compared with single-shoot seedlings and rhizome seeds. Furthermore, the lower P levels in the Nature Safe–fertilized soils compared with the Phytamin soils, and greater PI suggest that using Nature Safe will be a better choice than Phytamin for growing organic ginger.

Introduction and Objectives The crop scientist focuses his research on high quantity and quality of yield based on a sustainable tilth. The engineer is interested in maximisation of the process efficiency. He interprets the crop scientist’s ap-proach as maximisation of photosynthesis efficiency. Objective of this paper is to support the assessment of energy crop production applying engineering sciences methods in energy accounting. Methods and results The sustainability of energy crop production is assessed by calculating the overall efficiency using rape as example. The results show that the high process energy efficiency of the rapeseed cultivation fosters com-mon acceptance of rape as energy crop. Even under Finnish climate conditions, exergy of rape crop ex-ceeds up to 11-times the energy input for production and exergy of seed up to 3.7 times. Conversion of rapeseed into fuel decreases the energy surplus. Rape methyl ester (RME) delivers still 1.2-fold the energy input for cultivation and conversion. The whole rape crop (root, straw, seed) contains 3 to 6 ‰ of the overall energy input, RME 1 to 2 ‰ only. Animal production converts rape meal feed into manure, which is suitable for anaerobic digestion together with glycerine. The biogas augments the overall efficiency additionally 0.2 to 0.5 ‰. Rape cultivation requires a 4 to 7-year crop rotation. This and the low overall efficiency make it difficult in Finland to achieve energy self-sufficiency replacing diesel fuel by RME. The technical efficiency of the photosynthesis limits the maximum energy yield and reaches up to 0.8 % in Finland. By comparison, the efficiency of a photovoltaic collector is 165 to 248-fold better than the con-version efficiency of biomass or biogas produced from rapeseed and rape straw into electric power. The efficiency of the thermal collector exceeds heat production from burning the rape crop 157 to 443-fold. However, storage and continuous production of power and heat from sun energy is very limited. For that reason, the storage of sun energy in liquid carbon hydrates is subject of present research. Conclusion Energy crop production is captivating with many win-win situations: environmentally neutral bio-fuels replace polluting fossil fuels, farmers get better prices for energy crops, the agrochemical industry gains from intensification of energy crop production, and turn over of power industry grows due to increasing energy consumption to produce agrochemicals and to process biomass into fuel. As a following, the state tax income improves too. However, better prices for mainstream energy crops may trigger export of envi-ronmental pollution at the expense of food production because higher overall efficiency in tropical coun-tries favours the import of organic raw material for bio fuel production. Yet, high process efficiencies of technical processes to convert biomass into fuel justify the production of renewable energy from organic waste and residues. Thus, agriculture should not focus on energy crop production but produce high quality food environment-friendly. The overall efficiency of energy production from energy crops will never be competitive with solar techniques. Solar collectors replace fossil fuels for heat production outside agricul-ture already now sustainable and more efficient. Research on solar-technical processes to produce liquid carbon hydrates from methane, carbon dioxide, and water powered by solar energy without diversion into photosynthesis offers much a greater potential than research on energy crop production. As a measure for sustainability of renewable energy production, the energy surplus from sun energy conversion per capita and square meter is proposed.

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&lt;p&gt;The mobile nylon bag technique was used for measuring &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility of conventional feeds and avocado (&lt;em&gt;Persea americana Mills&lt;/em&gt;) products in three 70 kg pigs fitted with a simple cannula in duodenum. One 3x3 Latin square was used for determining &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility of soybean, maize and sorghum meal and another 3x3 Latin square for measuring &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility of seed, peel plus seed meal and the entire Nayaritean avocado fruit of Hass type, as well as of the commercial diet given &lt;em&gt;ad libitum&lt;/em&gt; to animals. In a preliminary test conducted with only bags containing a commercial feedstuff, it was found that &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility of DM was on average 73.01%. In conventional feeds, soybean meal samples showed higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility values for DM, NDF and N, than those of maize and sorghum. Among avocado products, the seeds showed a higher nutritive value than peels plus seeds, whereas the entire fruit had higher (P&amp;lt;0.05) &lt;em&gt;in situ&lt;/em&gt; digestibility for DM and NDF than the other two avocado products. There were not significant differences (P&amp;gt;0.05) for N digestibility among avocado products, which was generally low (between 28.02 and 34.58%). &lt;em&gt;In situ&lt;/em&gt; organic matter digestibility was linked to that of MS (r = 0.915; P&amp;lt;0.001), both in percent, in 42 examined samples, by the following found equation: y = 2.076 + 0.926 x. The herein described studies concerning the utilization of the mobile bag showed that it is possible to obtain a fast response in connection to the nutritive value of non conventional, tropical alimentary resources for pigs. On the other hand, the continuation of studies relative to the nutritive value of avocado products for pigs is highly recommended.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background.&lt;/strong&gt; The current maize production in México is insufficient to supply both human and animal consumption. As maize is the main ingredient used in the formulation of poultry diets, each year, the importation of this cereal rises, thereby, the replacement of this conventional input can be made with alternative resources, such as the Ramón (&lt;em&gt;Brosimum alicastrum&lt;/em&gt; Swartz) seed. &lt;strong&gt;Objective.&lt;/strong&gt; To determine the chemical composition of Ramon seed meal (RSM), together with the estimation of the apparent metabolizable energy (AME), true metabolizable energy (TME), their digestible coefficients, as well as the apparent ileal digestible energy (AIDE) and apparent ileal digestibility coefficient (AIDC) of gross energy (GE). &lt;strong&gt;Methodology. &lt;/strong&gt;Two experiments were performed using Cobb broilers; in the first experiment AME, TME and the digestible coefficients were calculated using 24 broilers (twelve 3-week-old and twelve 6-week-old) eight of them were randomly selected for determination of endogenous losses (EL). The sixteen remaining were precision-fed a single dose of RSM and total excreta collection was used. In the second experiment, three diets: 1) 100% maize; 2) 40% RSM-60% maize and; 3) 60% RSM-40% maize) were made to determine the AIDE and AIDC of each ingredient using the difference method. Diets were randomly assigned to a total of 51 7-week-old broilers, distributed in six, six and five replicates respectively (three broilers per replicate). &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;No differences were found for the&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;AME (1863 and 1909 kcal/kg for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) and TME (2234 and 2271 kcal/kg, for 3 and 6 weeks, respectively) values of the RSM. The AIDE and AIDC of RSM at 40 and 60% inclusion (2408 and 2538 kcal/kg, and 0.64 and 0.67, respectively) were found to be lower than that of maize (3179 kcal/kg and 0.81). &lt;strong&gt;Implications. &lt;/strong&gt;These results provide information regarding the incorporation of ramon as an energy resource in tropical poultry diets. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion.&lt;/strong&gt; The estimated value of RSM in broilers was 1886 Kcal/kg for AME, 2252.5 Kcal/kg for TME and 0.476 and 0.569 for their digestibility coefficients of GE, respectively. For the AIDE, the estimated value was 2408.8 and 2538.7 Kcal/kg at 40 and 60% inclusion of RSM, with 0.640 and 0.674 AIDC, respectively.&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background&lt;/strong&gt;. Increasing atmospheric concentrations of methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) have led scientists to examine its sources of origin. Mitigation of enteric CH&lt;sub&gt;4 &lt;/sub&gt;production by ruminants has been recognized as an important goal because it reduces greenhouse gas emission and improves feed efficiency. &lt;strong&gt;Objective&lt;/strong&gt;. The study evaluated the chemical composition and its relationship with &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; total gas (GP&lt;sub&gt;24&lt;/sub&gt;) and &lt;em&gt;in vitro&lt;/em&gt; methane (CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt;) production parameters of five tropical wild legume seeds [(&lt;em&gt;Luffa cylindrica &lt;/em&gt;(LC),&lt;em&gt; Piliostigma thonningii &lt;/em&gt;(PT)&lt;em&gt;, Detarium microcarpum &lt;/em&gt;(DM)&lt;em&gt;, Daniellia oliveri &lt;/em&gt;(DO)&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;and &lt;em&gt;Afzelia africana&lt;/em&gt; (AA)]. &lt;strong&gt;Methodology&lt;/strong&gt;. Chemical compositions were analysed, while total GP volume was measured and CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; estimated after 24 h incubation. &lt;strong&gt;Results. &lt;/strong&gt;Total GP&lt;sub&gt;24&lt;/sub&gt; produced by the seeds steadily increased and was most pronounced (P&amp;lt;0.05) in AA seed meal (64.71 mL/200 mg DM), and the least in LC (37.83 mL/200 mg DM). CH&lt;sub&gt;4&lt;/sub&gt; concentration (MC) varied (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) from 9.90 in&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;AA to 23.93 in&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;LC. Methane reduction potential (MRP) was higher (&lt;em&gt;P&lt;/em&gt;&amp;lt;0.05) for&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;AA&lt;em&gt; &lt;/em&gt;seed meal and lowest for&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;LC.&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;There were positive correlations (&lt;em&gt;r &lt;/em&gt;= 0.685**, &lt;em&gt;r &lt;/em&gt;= 0.763* respectively) between crude protein and non-fibre carbohydrates (NFC) contents of the seeds and total gas production at 24 h incubation. Fibre fractions (NDF and ADF) were positively, (&lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = 0&lt;strong&gt;.&lt;/strong&gt;978 and &lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = 0.874 respectively) correlated with MC, and negatively (&lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = - 0.927 and &lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = - 0.870, respectively) associated with total GP&lt;sub&gt;24&lt;/sub&gt; and MRP&lt;strong&gt;. &lt;/strong&gt;CP, EE&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;and NFC had a more pronounced positive correlation (&lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = 0.948**, &lt;em&gt;r&lt;/em&gt; = 0.851** and&lt;em&gt; r&lt;/em&gt; = 0.852** respectively) with MRP. &lt;strong&gt;Implication&lt;/strong&gt;. Results suggest that all the selected seeds have the potential to reduce methane production and positively impact rumen fermentation. &lt;strong&gt;Conclusion&lt;/strong&gt;. Seed containing more nutrients (CP, EE, and NFC)&lt;strong&gt; &lt;/strong&gt;reduced enteric methane production more than any other of the chemical components in the study.&lt;/p&gt;

Abstract The seeds of lesser-known tropical legume trees are currently being promoted as a cost-effective method of increasing broiler productivity, especially in low- and middle-income countries. Several feeding trials have evaluated the effects of baobab seed meal (BSM) on broiler chicken productivity. However, due to differences in experimental conditions among feeding trials, drawing broad conclusions using this large volume of data appears difficult. Thus, the meta-analytic effect of BSM on growth performance [i.e., feed intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), and body weight gain (BWG)] and carcass characteristics of broilers were investigated using 14 peer-reviewed published articles. These articles were retrieved via a systematic search conducted on Google Scholar, ScienceDirect, Elicit.com, and PubMed databases. The effect size was calculated via a random effect model, and results were expressed as standardised mean differences (SMD) at 95% confidence intervals. The pooled results showed that broilers fed BSM had significantly lower BWG (SMD = −0.77; −0.19, −0.30; p &lt; 0.001), dressed carcass weight (SMD = −0.84; −1.44, −0.23; p = 0.007), and higher FCR (SMD = 0.55; 0.19, 0.91; p &lt; 0.001) than those fed control diets. However, feed intake, dressing percentage, and weights of breast, thigh, and drumstick were not significantly affected. Subgroup analyses showed that the Marshall strain-fed BSM-based diets had significantly heavier BWG (p &lt; 0.001) than the Hubbard, Ross, and Anak strains. Similarly, results revealed that broilers fed soaked and roasted BSM had significantly better FCR and BWG than broilers fed sundried and fermented BSM. Broilers fed BSM-based diets from days 29–56 (SMD = 0.17; −0.51, 0.84; p = 0.622) and days 1−56 (SMD = −0.89; −1.41, −0.36; p &lt; 0.001) had significantly improved FCR compared to those offered BSM-based diets from days 1–21 (SMD = 2.58; 1.65, 3.51; p &lt; 0.001), days 1–28 (SMD = 0.85; 0.35, 1.34; p &lt; 0.001), and days 22–42 (SMD = 1.82; 1.02, 2.62; p &lt; 0.001). Similarly, broilers fed BSM-based diets from days 29–56 (SMD = 0.21; −0.38, 0.79; p = 0.484) and days 1−56 (SMD = 0.92; 0.16, 1.69; p = 0.018) had significantly higher BWG than those offered BSM-based diets from days 1–21 (SMD = −3.39; −4.41, −2.37; p &lt; 0.001), days 1–28 (SMD = −1.32; −1.91, −0.72; p &lt; 0.001), and days 22–42 (SMD = −2.24; −2.75, 1.73; p &lt; 0.001). Meta-regression revealed a low to moderate effect of processing methods, broiler strains, inclusion level, and feeding duration as covariates, explaining most of the sources of heterogeneity. In conclusion, broilers fed 1–10% of soaked, and roasted BSM from days 1 to 56 had improved growth performance parameters when compared to those on the control.