African Journal of Food Science and Technology

Nutritional characteristics of different parts of Rhynchosia Minima as animal feeds

Balgees, Abu Elgasim Atta Elmnan^*, Rania, Elzubir Hassan Idriss, Elsmani and Omer Amaseeb Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan
^*Corresponding Author:
Abu Elgasim Atta Elmnan, Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production, University of Khartoum, Khartoum North, Sudan, Tel: +249117870999, Email: balgeesatta@gmail.com

Received: 20-Jul-2023, Manuscript No. 111226; Editor assigned: 24-Jul-2023, Pre QC No. 111226; Reviewed: 25-Jul-2023, QC No. 111226; Revised: 14-Aug-2023, Manuscript No. 111226; Published: 18-Aug-2023, DOI: 10.14303//ajfst.2023.036

Introduction

Sudan has various environmental regions that allow different types of plants to grow naturally, which can play a serious role for offering nutrients requirements of different kinds of animals (FAO, 2010). Sudan has 110 million livestock, consist of 41.12 million sheep, 32.4 million goats, 32.08 million cattle and 4.9 million camels (MARF, 2021). The available resources of feed for these large numbers of livestock include natural pastures, crop residues and agroindustrial by-products. Although ranges and pasture can offer and support feed for a large number of livestock, the nutritive value of these resources in the Sudan is greatly affected by seasonal changes. There is usually adequate forage of fair to good nutritive value in the wet season, but in the dry season available forage from natural pastures are usually inadequate both in terms of quality and quantity to meet even the maintenance requirements of livestock (Atta Elmnan & Dawood 2011; Atta Elmnan et al., 2022).

Because the fodder trees have a great potential for alleviating some of the feed shortage and nutritional deficiencies during harsh environmental conditions Atta Elmnan & Ali (2020), Atta Elmnan et al., (2022), the fodder trees are recognized as important components of animal feeding, particularly as suppliers of protein in the different animal production system.

Rhynchosia minima is a member of the Leguminosae (Fabaceae) family, it found with adequate density in different regions of the Sudan (FAO, 2010). In Sudan there are no studies dealing with its nutritive value as animal feed. Therefore, this study was carried out to determine the nutritive status of leaves, pods, vines and whole of Rhynchosia minima, in term of chemical composition, macro-minerals (Ca, Na, Mg, K and P), anti-nutritional factor (tannin) content and In vitro dry matter digestibility as animal feeds.

Materials and Methods

Sample collection and preparation

Samples of pods, leaves and vines of R. minima were collected during wet season from 50 young plants growing naturally in Shambat campus. The samples were picked by hand from the branches at top, middle and the bottom of the different trees. Samples of different parts were separately air dried in shaded place, milled to pass through a 1mm screen, and then were kept in paper bag for further analysis.

Laboratory analysis

Laboratory analysis was carried out at the Animal Nutrition laboratory, Department of Animals Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Production - University of Khartoum.

Chemical Analysis

Proximate analysis was determined according to (AOAC, 2019). Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL) were analyzed according to (Van Soest et al., 1991). The nitrogen free extract (NFE) was calculated as follow:

NFE %( DM) = DM - (EE%+CP%+CF%+ash %).

Macro minerals determination

Samples to determine minerals were extracted according to the method described by Pearson (1981). Each sample was burnt in muffle furnace at 550°C, then 10 ml of NHCL was added, after that solution was carefully filtered in a 100ml volumetric flask and finally distilled water was added to make up to the mark. Potassium (K) and Sodium (Na) were determined by AOAC (2019) method using flame photometer. Calcium (Ca) and Magnesium (Mg) levels were carried out according to Chapman and Pratt (1982) by titration method. Phosphorus (P) level was carried out according to the method described by Champ and Pratt (1982) by atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

In-Vitro dry matter digestibility

The dry matter digestibility of the samples was determined using the procedure described by Tilley and Terry (1963).

Tannin determination

Quantitative estimation of tannin was carried out using the modified vanillin-HCL method according to FAO (1989). For this estimation a standard curve was made and the absorbance was read at 500nm using spectrophotometer (JENWAY 6305, UV). The absorbance read was used to determine tannin from the standard curve and was expressed as a percent.

Statistical analysis

The data were subjected to analysis of variance for a completely randomized design (Steel & Torrie 1980). Where the F test was significant, the treatment means were compared using least significant difference (LSD).

Results

Chemical composition

Table 1 shows the dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) contents of different parts of Rhynchosia minima. The results revealed that the DM, EE, CP, CF, ash and NFE, were significantly different (P≤0.01). The CP content showed a significant variation among the different parts of R. minima and can be ranked as follow: leaves, whole plant, pods and vines. The highest percentage of CF and EE were recorded by the vines and pods, respectively. The highest content of NFE was found in the leaves and vines, while the lowest was found in whole plant and pods. For DM, it was high in vines followed by leaves, whole plant and then the pods. The high content of ash was recorded by the whole plant and the low content was recorded by the pods.

Table 1: Chemical Composition % of Pods, Leaves and Vines of Rhynchosia minima

Cell wall constituents

Table 2 shows the neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) contents of different part of Rhynchosia minima. Vines had the highest NDF, ADF and ADL content (59.60, 48.23 and13.84%) while leaves had the lowest content (43.51, 29.90and6.76%) respectively.

Table 2: Cell constituents’ % of Pods, Leaves and Vines of Rhynchosia minima

Macro-minerals content

Macro-minerals composition of different part Rhynchosia minima (pods, leaves and vines) was presented in Table 3. Ca content was ranged from 0.93% in whole plant to 0.51% in pods. Na content was ranged from 0.12% in whole plant to 0.04% in the vines. Mg content was ranged from 1.8% in the pods to 0.15% in the vines. K and P content were ranged from 3.14% and 0.39% in whole plant to 0.68% and 0.12% in the leaves.

Table 3: Some macro-minerals (%) content of different parts of Rhynchosia minima.

Tannin content and In-vitro dry mater digestibility

Table 4 shows the tannin content of different part of Rhynchosia minima (pods, leaves and vines and whole plant). There were significant differences (P≤0.05) among different parts of the plant. The high tannin content was recorded by the pods (3.9%) and the low content was recorded by the leaves (0.6%).

Table 4: Tannin content and IVDMD (%) of pods, leaves and vines of Rhynchosia minima.

Among the different part of the Rhynchosia minima, the highest value of In-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) acquired by the whole plant and leaves while the vines and pods recorded the lowest value (Table 4).

Discussion

The multiple purposes trees are being used naturally as a fodder tree in tropical Africa including Sudan and many other countries around the world (Atta Elmnan et al., 2022). In the present study, random samples of different parts of Rhynchosia minima which are consumed indiscriminately as fodder by grazing ruminants were evaluated for their chemical composition to evaluate their nutritional status.

The chemical composition of the different parts of Rhynchosia minima showed almost significant variations in all constituents being studied.

Despite of close percentage values of DM in the samples, yet they were significantly different (P≤0.05), which implies that the pods had relatively high moisture content as it had a lower DM compared to those of other parts. This may be due the status of the pods which were green at the time of sampling and in normally the vines had lower moisture than other parts of plant. This result agreed with Atta Elmnan & El amin (2015) who stated that, dry matter yield varies with different plant parts.

Of the different parts investigated, the leaves seemed to contain high nutritive value as reflected in having high content of CP, NFE and it contained low CF content compared to the pods, whole plant and vines. This result was similar to results stated by Atta Elmnan & El amin (2015); Atta Elmnan et al., (2022) who stated that the leaves contained more CP than the other parts. Leaves considered as a good source of crude protein, and can be used as an important source of nitrogen for enhanced rumen microbial activity and by-pass protein (Atta Elmnan et al., 2011). The CP in present study showed high levels than the critical minimum level required by (8g/kg CP) the most animals' species (Kamalak et al., 2004). Moreover, different parts of Rhynchosia minima examined in this study have shown that the CP content was sufficiently high to warrant consideration of them as protein supplement to low quality diet during dry season.

Moreover, leaves showed a lower content of CF compared to other parts might explain its high content of CP as well as NFE. This could also be confirmed by having lower percentages of NDF, ADF and ADL. On the other hand, the vines significantly had higher crud fiber (27.97%) than the other parts. This result was in the same line with results obtained by Idris et al., (2011), Atta Elmnan and El amin (2015), Atta Elmnan et al., (2022) who reported that vines had higher CF content than other parts of the plant. CF content of browse shrubs and trees is usually lower than that for tropical grasses and it is a good source to activate fermentation in rumen (Atta Elmnan et al., 2009, 2011, 2013; Dambe et al., 2015).

Analysis of the data indicated that there were significant differences among the plant parts in EE. The high concentration of lipids correlated directly to its concentration in plant tissue especially in seeds and part of plant contaminated with bacteria or fungi that can accomplish the complete degradation of dead material of both plants and animal (Begon et al., 1990).

The highest NFE content was found in the leaves and vines, while the lowest was found in whole plant and pods. This is because starch in the plant usually stored in the leaves, green and semi green vines. These results were in the same line with results reported by Atta Emnan and El amin (2015) who stated that the high content of NFE was found in leaves. NFE content of the different parts of the plant in the current study showed a good potential as source of carbohydrate for feed.

Regarding the ash content of pods of this study, it almost had low values of those of the vines, whole plant and leaves which implies that it could contain a lower minerals content compared to contents of the remaining samples. In this context, the variation in macro minerals content in the, vines and leaves of Rhynchosia minima was slight and the whole plant showed higher mineral values for Ca, Mg, and K, and this probably could explain it’s a higher ash content compared to the other parts of plant. Moreover, Ca content of different parts of Rhynchosia minima in the present study showed high levels than the critical minimum level requirement of growing cattle (0.12 -0.44%), lactating dairy lambs (0.09-0.37%) according to (ARC, 1980). This result may be due to the fact that the plant grows in heavy clay soils, particularly those high in lime and phosphorus.

In the present study, it was evident that the overall In vitro dry matter digestibility of whole plant and leaves of Rhynchosia minima was higher when compared to other parts of plant.

These results were in the same line with findings reported by Atta Elmnan and El amin (2015); Atta Elmnan et al., (2022) who reported that the leaves of legumes tree had the highest IVDMD values than the other parts of the plants. This response could be due to the fact that foliage legume provide nitrogen, energy and vitamins which improved N supply for rumen microbial resulting in an increase of microbial population leading to an increase in IVDMD. Atta Elmnan & Awad (2018) reported that the raise in ruminal ammonia N status enhances microbial activity, resulting in greater DM digestibility. Njidda & Nasiru (2010); Atta Elmnan et al., (2022) found that there was appositive correlation between CP content and dry matter digestibility of some legumes tree.

The high digestibility of whole plant and leaves may strengthen their potential use as feed for ruminants whether being used alone as a feed or in concentrate feed containing different nutrients. This potential use could be strengthened even further because of its estimated high content of CP, NFE, slightly less ash percentage and the moderate percentage of NFE compared to those in the other two samples.

The low IVDMD of vines is more likely to be due to the presence of a relatively high percentage of CF, NDF, ADF and ADL. The previous components were reported to produce a negative influence on the digestibility of the diet. Atta Elmnan et al., (2007, 2016, and 2018) and Atta Elmnan & Ismail (2019) reported that the increases of CF content in the diet resulted in decreases of DM digestibility.

Moreover, the relatively high digestibility showed by the studied samples of the present study might be influenced by presence of relatively low percentages of tannins content. The tannin level must be not exceed 5% and this level have advantage result in preventing bloat and providing valuable rumen bypass protein for the animal by reducing rumen degradation of protein (Atta Elmnan & Ali 2020).

Conclusion

The result of this study showed that the different parts of Rhynchosia minima had appreciable amounts of nutrients and it could be used as rumin ants’ feeds. Moreover, according to their nutrients content, tannin and IVDMD the different parts could be ranked as follow: leaves, whole plants, pods and vines.

References

AOAC (2019). Official methods of chemical analysis association of official agricultural chemists, 21st edition Washington, DC.

ARC (1980). The nutrient requirements of ruminant livestock: Technical review. 73-310.

Indexed at

Atta Elmnan AB, Ali (2020). In-vitro dry matter digestibility and in vitro gas production of some acacia seeds treated with sodium hydroxide and poly ethylene glycol. Pak J Nutr.19: 381-387.

Indexed at

Atta Elmnan BA & Awad HM (2018). Effect of supplementation different levels of cheese whey to dietary treated baggase on in-vitro nutrients digestibility, rumen environment and gas production. J Vet Med Anim Prod. 8.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

Atta Elmnan BA & Dawood MH (2011). Nutritive evaluation of some pasture plants in early and late rainy season in Mosai (Southern Darfur State). Austr J Basic and Appl Sci. 5: 2065-2070.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

Atta ELmnan BA & EL Amin MF (2015). Nutritive characteristics of seeds, viness, leaves and seed cake of Moringa oleifera Tree. Global J Ani Sci Res. 3: 763-772.

Indexed at

Atta Elmnan BA & Reem A Ismail (2019). In Vitro digestibility and in situ degradability of sugarcane bagasse treated with urea as energy source in total mixed ration for goat. Online J Anim Feed Res. 9: 86-91.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

Atta Elmnan BA, Abd Elrahman FA, Fadal Elseed AMA (2022). Chemical Composition and In- vitro crude protein digestibility of some parts of Sclerocarya birrea tree. Afr J Food Sci Techno. 13: 26.

Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Atta Elmnan BA, FadalElseed AM, Salih AM (2007). Effect of urea or ammonia solution on bagasses chemical composition and rumen digestibility of bagasse. J App Sci Res. 3: 1359-1362.

Google Scholar

Atta Elmnan BA, FadalElseed AM, Salih AM (2011). Effect of supplementing a basal diet with treated or untreated bagasse with different level Albizialebback on intake, digestibility, and rumen fermentation. Pakistan J Nut. 10: 1149-1153.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Atta Elmnan BA, FadalElseed AMA, Mahala AG, Amasiab EO (2013). In situ degradability and in vitro gas production of selected multipurpose tree leaves and alfalfa as ruminant feeds. World's Vet J. 3: 46-50.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Atta Elmnan BA, Fadal Elseed AM, Salih AM (2009). Effect of ALbizia lebback or wheat bran supplement on intake, digestibility, and rumen fermentation of ammoniated baggase. J App Sci Res. 5: 1002-1006.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

Begon M, Harper JL, Townsend CR (1990). Ecology. individuals, populations and communities. Blackwell scientific publications.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

Chapman HD & Pratt PF (1982). Methods of analysis for soil, plant and water.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Dambe LM, Mogotsi K, Odubeng M, Kgosikoma OE (2015). Nutritive value of some important indigenous livestock browse species in semi-arid mixed Mopanebushveld, Botswana. Livest Res Rural Dev. 27: 1-10.

Google Scholar

FAO (1989). Manuals of food quality control: Food analysis general techniques additives contamination.

Indexed at, Google Scholar

FAO (2010). Crop and food security assessment mission to Ethiopia. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome.

Idris S, Ndamitso MM, Yisa J, Dauda BEN, Jacob JO (2010). The approximate and mineral composition of the leaves and viness of Balanitesaegytiaca. Int J App Bio Res. 2: 76-87.

Kamalak A, Canbolat O, Gurbuz Y, Ozay O, Ozkan O, et al (2004). Chemical composition and in-vitro gas production characteristics of several tannin containing tree leaves. Livest Res Rural Dev. 16: 60-67.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

MARF (2021). Ministry of animal resources and fisheries. Statistical bulletin for animal resources. 7-12.

Google Scholar

Njidda AA & Nasiru A (2010). In vitro gas production and dry matter digestibility of tannin-containing forages of semi-arid region of north-eastern Nigeria. Pakistan J Nutr. 9: 60-66.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Pearson, D (1981). General methods in chemical analysis of foods. 11.

Steel RGD & Torrie JH (1980). Principles and pro-cedures of statistics: A biometrical approach.

Google Scholar

Tilley JMA & Terry RA (1963). A two-stage technique for the in vitro digestion of forage crops. Grass Forage Sci. 18: 104-111.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Van Soest PJ, Robertson B, Lewis BA (1991). Method for dietary fiber, neutral detergent fiber and non- starch polysaccharides in relation to animal nutrition. J Dairy Sci. 74: 3583-3597.

Indexed at, Google Scholar, Cross Ref

Citation: Balgees, Elmnan, Rania, et al (2023). Nutritional characteristics of different parts of Rhynchosia Minima as animal feeds. AJFST:036.