Evaluation of the Nutritive Potential of the Peels of Some Citrus Fruit Varieties as Feedingstuffs in Livestock Production

Abstract

Four (4) varieties of citrus fruit namely Citrus limonum [lemon (Le), Citrus qurantifolia lime (Li)], Citrus sinensis washington (SO_w) and Citrus sinensis Ibadan (SO_i) were peeled separately, sun dried, milled using hammer mill machine and analyzed in the laboratory to determine yield, proximate composition and crude fibre fractions. The percent dry weight of the peels showed that the yield of sun dried peels which can be obtained per unit weight of fresh peels decreased in the order SO_i > SO_w > Le > Li. Highly significant variations (p<0.01) existed between the proximate constituents among the peel meal, and their dry matter of about 89% and crude protein of 9.30-10.96% are comparable to that of maize. Crude fibre and ash which were approximately 14% and 5% respectively are higher than 2.1% CF and 1.22% ash in maize. Acid detergent fibre was significantly different (p<0.05), while hemi-cellulose, cellulose, ADF and NDF were highly significantly different (p<0.01) among the peels. The ADF seems high in all the peels and growth trials are recommended with monogastric and ruminant animals to evaluate the replacement value of these citrus peel meals when incorporated into the diets of these farm animals.