ABSTRACT

 Nutritional value of Anthocleisia dfalonensis commonly referred to as goat salad was investigated in two separate trials. The first experiment was conducted to assay the proximate, mineral and phytonutrient compositions of the browse plant. Results indicate that the dry matter (DM). crude protein (CP). crude fibre (CF). nitrogen fl-ce extract (N FE). ether extract (EE) and ash contents of this fodder (%) were 47.5, 14.79, 12.67. 69.92. 2.62 and 5.87. respectively. Macro mineral concentrations (mg/loomg) were Phosphorous (186.17). Calcium (234.77). Magnesium (124.84), Potassium (259.54) and Sodium (152.45) while the phytonutrient values (mg/100g) were 5.78. 1.85. 2.32. 1.32. 0.84. 4.44 and 2.84 for hydrogen cyanide (HCN), tannin, saponin, phytic acid. oxalate. alkaloid and flavonoid. respectively. In the second study, four West African Dwarf goats aged between 10- l2months, were allotted 4 different ration combinations (20:80. 40:60. 60:40. 80:20) of Anthocleista djalonensis and Panicum maximum (designated as T. 12.13 and T1 ) in a 4 x 4 latin square experiment. Parameters determined were feed and dry matter intake, blood profile. nutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance status of animals within the treatment groups. Packed cell volume. Haemoglobin. Red blood cells and white blood cells were not influenced (P>0 .05) by dietary treatments, however, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration (MCHC) values differed (P<0.05) and recorded the highest significant value with goats fed diet 12 (37.42%). Similarly, creatinine concentration differed (P><0.05) among all biochemical parameters evaluated and was highest (1 .45mg/dl) with goats fed diet 13containing 60:40 ratio combination of A. djalonensis and P. maximum. Crude fibre and ether extract digestibility coefficients (%) were influenced (P><0.05) by dietary treatments and had values which decreased and increased respectively, as the ratio of ;1. cijalonensis increased from T 14 . The nitrogen (N) utilization study showed that all the parameters evaluated were not influenced (P > 0.05) by the different combinations of A. cijalonensis and P. maximum however, the 80:20 combination tended to enhance dry matter intake (DM1), nitrogen intake, nitrogen balance as well as apparent nitrogen digestibility in West Africa dwarf goats. The low levels of phytonutrients. the appreciable levels of minerals and crude protein composition as well as the acceptability of' A. d/ci/onensi.s suggest that the browse plant can be used as a dietary supplement to support \\'Al) goat production in Nigeria, especially in the dry season.