Studies on Nutrients and Anti-Nutrients of Rumen Digesta from Three Most Domesticated Ruminants in Nigeria

Abstract

A comparative study was conducted on phytochemical and nutrients assay of three ruminants’ rumen digesta between July and September, 2011. Samples of rumen digesta (DRD) were collected at the abattoir from cattle, goat and sheep, coded as DRDC, DRDG and DRDS respectively. These samples were sundried for 5 days prior to laboratory analyses. Result showed that DRDC contained highest values of 19.87 and 34.90% for crude protein and crude fiber (P>0.05) respectively but ash content was 11.12% (P<0.05) while DRDG and DRDS were higher in phytate, phytin phosphorus and oxalate compared to DRDC (P<0.05). There were no significant differences (P>0.05) in the concentration of Alkaloids and Saponins in all the treatments. This experiment has shown that, there is little or no variation in the nutrients composition of these abattoir wastes (DRD). However, their crude protein 18.5 ± 1.0% is comparable with some recognized feedstuffs such as spent grain and wheat offal hence may be of great potential in monogastric diets as source of xanthophylls and dietary fiber.