Evaluation of the Phytochemical Composition of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera Fruit Meals as Potential Feed Additives in Poultry Production
I. R. Igwe *
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Animal Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
C. C. Ogbu
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Animal Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
L. U. Egwu
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Animal Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
P. I. Otuh
Department of Public Health, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Nigeria and Institute of Infectious Diseases, Biosafety and Biosecurity Research, David Umahi Federal University of Health Sciences, Uburu, Nigeria.
J. I. Ukwueze
Department of Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Michael Okpara University Agriculture Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria.
B. Nwajiobi
Department of Forestry and Environmental Management, College of Natural Resources and Environmental Management, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
C. Onyenegecha
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Animal Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
V. N. Ufomadu
Department of Veterinary Biochemistry and Animal Production, College of Veterinary Medicine, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Phytogenics play an important role in livestock industry. They serve as alternative to antibiotic growth promoters. Evaluation of the phytochemical composition of Xylopia aethiopica and Tetrapleura tetraptera fruit meals as feed additives in poultry was investigated. A sample of each test material was taken to the laboratory for proximate analysis, and qualitative and quantitave phytochemical analysis. The results showed that alkaloids, tannins, flavonoids, phenols, terpenoids, saponins, cardiac glycosides, steroids, phytates, and oxalates were present in the two materials. Tannins, saponins and terpenoids were the main phytochemicals (5.36±0.03, 3.01±0.03 and 1.14±0.03, respectively) in X. aethiopica, while saponins, tannins and alkaloids were the major phytochemicals (4.10±0.01, 1.85±0.03 and 1.29±0.04, respectively) in T. tetraptera. Oxalate was very low in X. aethiopica (0.02±0.01) and T. tetraptera (0.22±0.02). It was concluded that X. aethiopica and T. tetraptera are rich sources of important and biologically active phytochemicals, especially tannins, saponins, and alkaloids; and these phytochemicals play vital roles in health of animals.
Keywords: Phytochemical, proximate fractions, Tetrapleura tetraptera, Xylopia aethiopica