International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

This study investigated the chemical composition of editan (Lasianthera africana) leaves and the nutrient digestibility of finisher broiler chickens fed editan leaf meal (ELM).  The sun-dried editan leaves were milled and analyzed for their proximate composition, minerals, amino acid concentration and anti-nutritional composition. One hundred and fifty (150) day old unsexed Abor acre chicks were randomly assigned to five (5) dietary treatments (T1-T5) containing 0, 5, 6, 7 and 8 % editan leaf meal (ELM) respectively and each treatment was replicated three times with 10 birds giving a total of 30 birds per treatment. Feed and water were given ad libitum which lasted for 56 days. The experiment was arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). At the end of the 8th week, two (2) birds per replicate were transferred to the metabolic cage. Both the feed and the feacal output collected during the trial period were analyzed. The results showed that the crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash, dry matter, carbohydrate and gross energy contents of the ELM were; 19.74 %, 15.69 %, 2.81 %, 7.91 % 89.40 %, 43.25 % and 3.995 kcal/g respectively. The macro and micro minerals analysis and amino acids profile revealed that Editan (Lasianthera africana) leaf meal is rich in dietary nutrients and when added to the diets of broiler chickens improves nutrient utilization but as the inclusion level increases, it depresses nutrient digestibility which in-turn affected their growth as shown in the final body weights. The results of the nutrient digestibility showed that all the parameters measured were significantly (p<0.05) affected.  Percentage digestibility of crude protein, ether extract, ash, dry matter and nitrogen free extract were significantly higher in T2 with 5 % ELM compared to (T1) without ELM in the diet. Therefore, it could be concluded that ELM up to 5 % can be substituted for palm kernel cake (PKC) in the diet of broiler chicken without any adverse effect. 

Finisher broiler, chemical composition, nutrient digestibility, anti-nutrients and Editan leaf meal.

1. Adegbenro, E., Ansari, J., Khan, S. H., Haq, A. and Yousaf, M. (2012).  Effect of the levels of Azadirachta indica dried leaf meal as phytogenic feed additive on the growth performance and haemato-biochemical parameters in broiler chicks. Journal of Applied Animal Research. 40: 336-345.
2. Adetuyi, F. O. and Osagie, A. U.  (2011). Nutrient, antinutrient, mineral and bioavailability of okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L) Moench variety. American Journal of Food and Nutrition. 1(2): 49-54. 
3. Antia, B. S. Akpan, E. J. Okon, P. A. and Umoren, I. U. (2006). Nutritive and anti-nutritive evaluation of sweet potatoes (Ipomoea batatas) leaves. Pakistan J. Nutr. 5(2): 166-168.
4. AOAC. (1980). Official Methods of Analysis. 13th Edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.  Washington D.C. 
5. AOAC. (1990). Official Methods of Analysis. 15th Edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.  Washington D.C
6. AOAC. (2005). Official Method of Analysis.18th Edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists.  Washington D.C., Method 935.14 and 992.24. 
7. AOAC. (2006). Official Method of Analysis.18th Edition. Association of Official Analytical Chemists. Gaithersburgs, MD.
8. Ayeni, A. O. (2024). Nutritional values of selected tropical leaves and their composite mixes. Proceeding of the 49th Conference of Nigeria Society for Animal Production 24-27 March, 2024, University of Ibadan, Nigeria. Pp. 1601-1604.
9. Bhaskaran, P. (2001). Immunobiology of mild nutrient deficiency. British Journal of Nutrition. 85:75-80.
10. Biswas, A., Ahmed, M., Bharti, V. K. and Singh, S. B. (2011). Effects of anti-oxidants on physio-chemical and haematological parameters in broiler chicken at high altitude. Asian-Aust. Journal of Animal Science. 24 (2):  246-249.
11. Bradbury, M., Egan, S. and Bradbury, J. (1999). Determination of all forms of cyanogens in cassava roots and cassava products using picrate paper kits. Journal of the Sciences of Food and Agriculture. 79:593 - 601.
12. Brown, A. C. (2007). Chemistry of Food Composition: Understanding Food: Properties and preparation 3rd Edn., Wadsworth Publishing Co., United States. Pp. 46-49.
13. Dei, H. K., Rose, S. P. and Mackenzie, A. M. (2007). Shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) meal as a feed ingredient for poultry. Poultry Science. 63(4): 611-624.
14. Duncan, D. B. (1995). Multiple Range and Multiple F-Test. Biometrics, 11, 1-5. 
15. Ekanem, A. (2006): Antidiabetic activity of ethanolic leaf extract and fractions of Lasianthera africana on alloxan diabetic rats. M.Sc. thesis, Univ. of Uyo, Nigeria. 
16. Fasuyi, A. O. (2006). Nutritional potentials of some tropical vegetable meals: chemical characterization and functional properties. Afr. J. Biotechnology. 5(1): 49 - 53.
17. Gemede, H. F. and Ratta, N. (2014). Antinutritional factors in plant foods: potential health benefits and adverse effects. International Journal of Food Science and nutrition. 3 (4): 284 - 289.
18. Grosvernor, M. B. and Smolin, L, A, (2002). Nutrition: From Science to Life. Harcourt College Publishers, New York, USA.288-371.
19. Ilelaboye, N. O. A., Amoo, I. A. and Pikuda, O. O. (2013). Effect of cooking methods on mineral and anti-nutrient composition of some green leafy vegetables. Arch. Appl. Sci. Res. J. 5(3): 254 – 260.
20. Itah, A. Y. (1996). Screening of plant's parts for fungicidal properties. Trans. Nig. Soc. Bio. Conserv. 4(1): 26 – 40. 
21. Itah, A. Y. (1997). Bactericidal and bacteriostatic effect of edible leafy vegetable extract on growth of canned food borne bacteria. Trans. Nig. Soc. Bio. Conserv. 6:103 – 111. 
22. Kozat, S. (2007). Serum T3 and T4 concentrations in lambs with nutritional myodegeneration. Journal of Veterinary internal Medicine.21(5):1135-1137.
23. Markkah, H. P. S., Blammer, M., Borowy, N. K. and Becker, K. (1993). Gravimetric determination of tannins and their correlation with chemical and protein precipitation methods. Journal of Food Science Agriculture. 61: 161- 165.
24. Maya, J. A. (1982). Phytate, its chemistry occurrence, food interaction, nutritional significance and method analysis. Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry. 30(1): 1-9
25. Okezie, E., Ugbogu, A. Odungide, A. and Atani, C. (2017). Proximate, antinutritional and mineral estimation of some selected consumed green vegetables in Afaha Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria. A Journal of Food Sciences and Technology. 5(5):182 - 191.
26. Okokon, J. E., Antia, B. S. and Essiet, G. A. and Nwidu, L. L. (2007). Evaluation of in vivo antiplasmodial activity of ethanolic leaf extract of Lasianthera africana. Research Journal of pharmacology. 1(2):  30 -33.
27. Okon, I. E. and James, U. S. (2015). Comparative evaluation of nutritional values of some wild plants’ leafy vegetables in South Eastern Nigeria. International Journal of Research in Applied, Natural and Social Sciences. 3(2): 21-26. 
28. Ononogbu, I. C. (2002). Lipids in human existence. 1st edition.” AP express publishing company, Nsukka: 1-5
29. Pauzenga, U. (1985). Feeding Parent Stock. Zootech. International. Pp. 22-25
30. Steel, R. G. and Torrie, J. H. (1980). Principles and procedures of statistics. A biometrical approach, 2nd edition. McGraw-Hill, New York. 
31. Tewe, O. O. (1991). Detoxification of cassava products and effects of residue toxins on consuming animals. In: Machin, D. and Nyvold, S. (eds), Roots, tubers, plantains and bananas in animal feeding. FAO Animal Production and Health Paper No. 95 Rome Italy: FAO. Pp. 81–95.
32. Unah, U. L., Afolabi, K. D,, Ekpo, K. O. and Okung, V. (2022). Effect of graded levels of dietary Editan (Lasianthera africana) leaf meal on productivity of broiler chickens. Journal of Biology, Agriculture and Healthcare. 12(10): 26– 32.
33. Ziggers, D. (2011). Optimising nutrient density in a volatile market. All about feed, 2 (3): 18 – 22.