EFFECT OF AZADIRACHTA INDICA AND MORINDA LUCIDA LEAF INCLUSION ON MINERAL CONTENT AND FIBER FRACTION OF A MEGATHYRSUS MAXIMUS-LEUCAENA LEUCOCEPHALA LEAF MEAL

Abstract

ABSTRACT This studyinvestigates the effect of Azadirachtaindicaand Morindalucidaleaf powder inclusion at varying levels, on the mineral content and fibre fraction of a Megathyrsusmaximus-Leucaenaleucocephala leaf meal at different proportions. The experiment was conducted at the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, Nigeria and involved a complete randomized design (CRD) with 8 treatments combination. TNM1 is 100% (Megathyrsusmaximus). TNM2 is 70:30 (Megathyrsusmaximus;Leucaenaleucocephala) respectively, TNM3 (Megathyrsusmaximus: Leucaenaleucocephala: Azadirachtaindica: Morindalucida) 70:25:2.5:2.5, TNM4 (70:20:5:5), TNM5 (70;20:7.5:2.5), TNM6 (70:20:2.5:7.5), TNM7 (70:20:3.75:1.25) and TNM8 (70:20:1.25:3.75). Samples collected from each treatment was analyzed for their mineral profiles and fiber components, including neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and lignin. Results indicated that the inclusion of these phytogenic plants significantly altered the mineral content, without a consistent trend. Notably, thetreatment TNM1 (100%), TNM2 is (70:30) and TNM5 (70:20:7.5:2.5) displayed distinct variation in fibre composition, with TNM1 having the highest value for NDF, ADF, ADL and cellulose. Also, the fiber fraction analysis revealed modifications in NDF and ADF levels, suggesting a potential improvement in intake, digestibility and overall nutritional quality of the leaf meal, it was concluded in this study that the inclusion of Azadirachtaindica leaf and Morindalucida powder at 2.5 % each – TNM3 in Megathyrsusmaximus-Leucaenaleucocephala leaf meals resulted in a positive influence of mineral and fibre fraction profile.