Apparent digestibility and nutritional composition of Leucaena leucocephala (Lam) leaf meal incorporated in the diets of Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds

Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine the apparent digestibility and nutrient composition of Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LLM) inclusion in Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek diets. Tender and mature leaves were separately harvested from 10 individual trees and stored separately for chemical analyses. The leaves were air-dried in a well-ventilated laboratory to constant weight and milled to pass through a 1-mm sieve. A mixture of tender and mature leaves was also collected to produce a bulk leaf meal. The four iso-nitrogenous dietary treatments were 0 (control), 2.5, 5.0 and 7.5% of LLM, respectively. The apparent digestibility of two chicken breeds was also evaluated. The dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), ether extract (EE), cellulose and hemicellulose of the samples did not differ between tender and mature leaves. Tender leaves had higher (P < 0.05) calcium, potassium, magnesium and sodium concentration than mature leaves. Crude protein and mimosine content were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in tender than in mature leaves. The inclusion levels of L. leucocephala leaf meal affect (P < 0.05) acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and crude protein (CP) digestibility. Crude protein digestibility decreases as the inclusion levels of L. leucocephala increase. Both tender and mature L. leucocephala leaves have a potential nutritional value that can be used in feedstuff and can be used as a protein supplement for Black Australorp and Potchefstroom Koekoek chicken breeds.

Biosorption of Pb(II) Using Natural and Treated Ardisia compressa K. Leaves: Simulation Framework Extended through the Application of Artificial Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm

“…The results are in agreement with various reports of the proximate chemical composition of the other biosorbents, such as Leucaena leucocephala leaves [26,27] and Nostoc commune [28]. For example, if we compare our results with those reported for Leucaena leucocephala leaves, the ash content was higher than the 5.35% reported by Thamaga et al (2021) [26] but lower than the 6.62% reported by G.W. Garcia et al (2013) [27]; likewise, the protein contents were lower than 19.53% and 22.03% [26,27].…”

“…Table 1 presents the physicochemical parameters of A. compressa K. leaves in a sense to determine their nutritional composition. The results are in agreement with various reports of the proximate chemical composition of the other biosorbents, such as Leucaena leucocephala leaves [26,27] and Nostoc commune [28]. For example, if we compare our results with those reported for Leucaena leucocephala leaves, the ash content was higher than the 5.35% reported by Thamaga et al (2021) [26] but lower than the 6.62% reported by G.W.…”

“…For example, if we compare our results with those reported for Leucaena leucocephala leaves, the ash content was higher than the 5.35% reported by Thamaga et al (2021) [26] but lower than the 6.62% reported by G.W. Garcia et al (2013) [27]; likewise, the protein contents were lower than 19.53% and 22.03% [26,27]. These variations could be attributed to differences in the ages of trees, agroclimatic conditions, and maturity stages [29].…”

Growth performance and cost-effectiveness of replacement of fishmeal with plant-based protein source, Leucaena leucocephala in the diet of Clarias gariepinus fingerlings

“…Malik et al (2019) further reported that the seeds of L. leucocephala contain more fats than its leaves; however, the latter is richer in nutritional fats, especially polyunsaturated fatty acids, than saturated fatty acids. The crude fat present in Leucaena leaf meal was observed when Leucaena leaf meal was used in replacing a commercial broiler finisher diets in the diets of black australorp and potchefstroom koekoek chicken (Thamaga et al 2021). These authors reported an increase in the levels of crude fats in diets with Leucaena leaf meal compared with the control diet (0% Leucaena leaf meal).…”

“…The moderate ash level in the tested leaf meal shows that it is well endowed with minerals. The findings of Thamaga et al (2021) showed that Leucaena leaf meal is rich in essential minerals like copper, manganese, zinc and iron but contains a lesser amount of calcium, magnesium, potassium and sodium.…”