Can Moringa oleifera Be Used as a Protein Supplement for Ruminants?

Abstract

The possibility of using Moringa oleifera as a ruminant protein supplement was investigated by comparison between nutritive and anti-nutritive value of its different morphological parts with that of conventionally used Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal (LL). Parameters determined were chemical composition, rumen degradable protein (RDP), acid detergent insoluble protein (ADIP), pepsin soluble protein (PESP), non-protein nitrogen (NPN) total soluble protein (TSP) and protein potentially digested in the intestine (PDI). Total phenols (TP) and total extractable tannins (TET) were also evaluated as anti-nutritive factors. In vitro gas production characteristics were measured and organic matter digestibility (OMD) was estimated basing on 24 h-gas production. Crude protein content ranged from 265-308 g/kg DM in M. oleifera leaves (MOL) and seed cake (MOC) respectively. Leucaena leucocephala and Moringa oleifera soft twigs and leaves (MOLSTL) had CP content of 236 and 195 g/kg DM while Moringa oleifera soft twigs alone (MOST) and Moringa oleifera bucks (MOB) had 160, 114 and 69.3 g/kg DM respectively. RDP was highest in (MOC) (181 g/kg DM) followed by (MOL) (177 g/kg DM) and was lowest in MOB (40 g/kg DM). The proportion of the protein that was not available to the animal (ADIP) was (p<0.05) higher in MOL and MOC (72 and 73 g/kg DM) respectively and lowest in LL (29 g/kg DM). The PDI was high in LL (74 g/kg DM) followed by MOC (55 g/kg DM) then MOL (16 g/kg DM). PESP was highest (p<0.05) in MOC followed by MOL then LL (273, 200 and 163 g/kg DM respectively). MOC exhibited highest NPN content (116 g/kg DM) and was lowest in MOB (18 g/kg DM) (p<0.05). Highly (p<0.05) TSP was observed in MOC and MOL (308 and 265 g/kg DM respectively) followed by LL (236 g/kg DM). MOL had negligible TET (20 g/kg DM) when compared with about 70 g/kg DM in LL. Highly (p<0.05) b and a+b values were observed for MOLSTL (602 and 691 g/kg DM respectively) followed by MOL (490 and 538 g/kg DM). Highest c value was observed in MOSTL followed by MOC and MOL (0.064, 0.056 and 0.053 rate/hour) respectively. OMD was highest (p<0.05) for MOSTL followed by MOC and then MOL (579, 579 and 562 g/kg DM respectively). LL exhibited lower (p<0.05) OMD (467 g/kg DM). It was concluded from this study that the high crude protein content in MOL and MOLST could be well utilized by ruminant animals and increase animal performance however, high proportion of unavailable protein to the lower gut of animals and high rumen degradable protein due to negligible tannin content render it a relatively poor protein supplement for ruminants. MOC can be a best alternative protein supplement to leaves and leaves and soft twigs for ruminants.

Moringa leaf meal as natural feed additives on the growth performance and meat quality of commercial broiler chicken

“…The results also coincided with the finding of Ebenebe et al (2012) who reported chicks fed moringa based diets performed significantly (P<0.05) better than that of control group in term of higher weight gain and better feed conversion ratio. This improvement in body weight gain and feed conversion ratio may be attributed to rich content of nutrients in moringa (Sarwatt et al, 2004;Kakengi et al, 2003). Different levels of MLM exhibit significant influence on dressing percentage and breast meat of broilers (Table 2 and Figure 1).…”

Evaluation ofMoringa oleiferaleaf in laying hens: effects on laying performance, egg quality, plasma biochemistry and organ histopathological indices

“…The protein quality of MOL has been reported to be comparable to that of milk and eggs (Fahey 2005). Kakengi et al (2005) compared the nutritive values of different morphological components of MOL with Leucaena leucocephala leaf meal in Tanzania and they observed a high level of pepsin and total soluble protein in MOL. Previous study also showed that MOL contains high level of antioxidants such as flavonoids (Vongsak et al 2013).…”

Impact of Supplementation of Moringa Oleifera in Diet of Broiler Chicks on Their Behavior, Welfare, Performance and Immune Responses

“…However, Makkar and Becker (1997) indicated that, leaves of Moringa are very poor in anti-nutritional factors. Also, low feed consumption may be attributed to high crude fiber content in Moringa which may resulted in decreased palatability (Kakengi et al 2003).…”