CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE FRUIT, HUSK AND NUT OF TERMINALIA CATAPPA (INDIAN ALMOND) AS FEED SUPPLEMENT FOR RUMINANTS IN THE HUMID TROPICS

Abstract

The fruit, husk and nut of Terminalia catappa (Indian almond) was investigated for nutrient content. The result revealed that the chemical composition varied significantly (P<0.05), with the dry matter ranging from 87.23-94.19% in nut and husk respectively. The crude protein ranged from 4.22-14.83 % in husk and nut respectively. The neutral detergent fibre also ranged from 26.21-46.90 % in the nut and husk respectively. The parts were implicated for antinutrients, tannin, saponin, phytate and oxalate, no significant differences was observed among the parts of the seed. The macro mineral content showed no significant variation, but the highest value (0.251%) of calcium was obtained in the nut. The micro minerals investigated differed significantly (P<0.05). The husk had the highest value for zinc and lead (52.7 and 11.4 mg/kg) respectively, while the nut had the lowest value (31.7 and 2.7mg/kg). The highest value of copper (5.1 mg/kg) and manganese (46.6 mg/kg) was recorded for nut, while the lowest value was recorded for fruit. The highest value (208.4 mg/kg) of iron was recorded for nut, while the lowest (192.5 mg/kg) was recorded for fruit. All minerals analyzed are within the recommended limit for proper functioning of the body system These result showed that the fruit, husk and nut of Terminalia catappa can be used as feed supplement for ruminants in the Tropics.