PROXIMATE STUDY, MINERAL AND ANTI-NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF CYMBOPOGON CITRANUS LEAVES HARVESTED FROM ILORIN, NIGERIA: POTENTIAL BENEFITS IN ANIMAL NUTRITION AND HEALTH
Loading...
Date
2017
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Wayamba University, Sri Lanka
Abstract
The leaves of Cymbopogon citranus (Lemon
grass) were harvested from Kwara State
metropolis in Nigeria during the late rainy
season in June 2015 for the proximate,
mineral and phytochemical analysis .This
study was conducted to know the nutritive
value of lemongrass harvested and its
potential in Animal Production and health.
The standard procedures of AOAC (2003)
were used to analyze the proximate
composition and mineral analysis. The
results of proximate analysis revealed the
presence of high crude protein (8.51%
±0.06). The leaves also contained
appreciable amounts of crude fibre (4.49%
±0.02), ash (8.02% ± 0.04), crude fat (2.99%
±0.02). The total ash content showed it
contained minerals, Ca (0.62% ±0.00), K
(1.59% ±0.01), Na (280.00±0.01), Fe
(286.5±0.01), Mn (61.56±0.15), Zn
(21.91±0.06) and P (30.15±0.00) parts per
million (ppm). Magnesium (0.44% ±0.00)
and copper (5.73±0.00) were the least. The
results of phytochemical analysis and
antinutrients showed presence of tannins
(0.006% ±0.00), saponins (0.67% ±0.00),
alkaloid (0.53%±0.00), steroids
(0.001±0.00), phenols (0.07±0.00) and
flavonoids (0.001±0.00). The presence of
these essential nutrients and minerals
showed that Lemon grass is a potential
source of feed supplement to enhance
maximum productivity and improve growth
performance of livestock.