Chemical composition, in vitro gas production, metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility of leaves and seed fractions of the tree Balanite aegyptiaca [electronic resource].

Includes references.

Chemical composition, in vitro gas production, metabolizable energy and organic matter digestibility of the tree Balanites aegyptiaca leaves and seed fractions were determined. The objective was to asses the potential of fruit and leaves of Balanites aegyptiaca as ruminant feed. Gas production was measured for 3, 6, 12,24,48, and 72 hours, and gas production kinetics were estimated using the equation y=a +b (1-exp -d). The results showed that, the crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), ether extract (EE) gas production, gas production kinetics, organic matter digestibility (OMD) and metabolizable energy (ME) were significantly different (p<0.01) between leaves and seed fractions. Seed kernel' cake showed the highest CP content, OMD and lowest CF content, whereas the flesh showed the highest EE, Nitrogen free extract (NFE), gas production at all the time of incubation, gas production from the soluble and insoluble fractions, potential gas production and ME content. It is concluded that, kernel seed cakes, and flesh (Pulp) of B. agyptiaca are outstanding and they have high potential as ruminant feed, as carbohydrate and protein supplement to low quality tropical basal diets. In addition to chemical analysis, in vitro gas production technique found to be a reliable predict to the nutritive value.

Summary in Arabic.