The Nutrient Composition of Seeds of the African Pear (Dacryodes edulis) and its Implications for Non-Ruminant Nutrition

Abstract

In an investigation conducted to determine the nutrient composition of seeds of the African Pear (Dacryodes edulis G. Don, H.J.Lam) and their potential as a feed ingredient in non-ruminant nutrition, samples of sun-dried, ground seeds of the African pear (Dacryodes Edulis Seed Meal) (DESM) were analyzed using standard laboratory procedures. The gross energy and metabolizable energy contents of DESM (3820.74 kcal/kg and 3368.04 kcal/kg respectively) and its crude protein (6.98%), ether extracts (8.98%) crude fibre (7.42%) ash (3.36%) and nitrogen-free extracts (73.26%) indicate that DESM can be classified as an energy feed. The anti-nutrients present were tannins (6.37 x 10^-4 mg/100g), phytates (0.49 mg/100 g) and oxalates (1.68 x 10^-15 mg/100 g) while its amino acid profile revealed only trace amounts of the essential and non-essential amino acids and vitamins. DESM contained reasonable amounts of iron, manganese, zinc, sodium and iodine while its calcium, copper and selenium levels were low. It was concluded that DESM may act as a close substitute for maize, especially in poultry diets, on account of its similarity in soluble carbohydrate content to maize and its protein content. This is expected to reduce production costs to poultry farmers in Nigeria and make poultry products available to consumers at more affordable costs.