INTRODUCTION

Agriculture has played a key role in kick-starting economic growth and reducing poverty and hunger in many developing countries. Most of the developing countries that have failed to launch an agricultural revolutions remain trapped in poverty, hunger and economic stagnation (Hazell, 2006). The situation is worsened by lack or insufficient availability of feed for livestock, mostly during the dry season.

Recently, some developed countries like USA, China, Brazil, etc. are worried over the use of maize in the production of biofuel ethanol. The yellow corn used in feed formulation also is the feedstock for a projected capacity of 27 billion litre of ethanol from a total of more than 130 plants. It was reported that about 15% of the country`s corn crop goes into ethanol production. The aforesaid situation creates nervousness about the future availability of maize for use in animal feed around the globe. The situation could be saved if appropriate alternative energy and protein could be sourced for through research.

Reynolds and Ekurukwe (1988) opined that protein rich supplement improves nutrition of sheep in small holder grass based system; it also increased resistance to disease such as trypanosomes. The raising of ruminant animals under traditional and subsistence agricultural systems make good use of low quality feed in keeping the animals.

Although, poor performance of the animals occur as a result of the use of cheaper and lesser known and unconventional feed supplements which also represent low-cost towards improving animal performance. In this regards, many attempts have been made in evaluating the chemical composition and the nutritional potentials of some legumes and browse plants as feed supplements (Morton, 1987; Balogun and Fetuga, 1989). However, there are still many leguminous and tree seeds (Bilighia sapida, Leucana leucocephala, Mucuna preta, Etanda africana, Adansonia digitata) that need to be evaluated for their nutritional qualities in livestock feed.

Bilighia sapida (Akee apple) plant is indigenous to forest of the Ivory coast and Gold coast of West Africa. It belongs to the family, Sepiaceae. The seed could be eaten raw or in soup or after frying in oil (Lewis, 1965). However, the seed was equally reported to be toxic. Bilighia sapida poisoning is evidence by acute vomiting, sometimes with diarrhoea followed by drowsiness, convulsion, coma and often death (Anderen, 1975).

The importance of Bilighia sapida includes its use in laundering, soap making, stimulant and cologne. The sapwood is use for construction and pilings in railway sleepers, oars, paddle and casks while the aqueous extract of the seed has been used to expel parasites. When the aril is blend with sugar and cinnamon, it can be used in the treatment of dysentery. Various parts of the tree can be used for the treatment of epilepsy and yellow fever.

Adansonia digitata plant is also known as baobab, cream of tartar tree, monkey-bread tree, dead-rat tree. The leaf of the plant is rich in vitamin C, sugar, potassium tartrate and calcium. It is also useful as vegetable. The seeds are edible and it can be roasted and use as coffee substitute.

Voandzela subterranean (Bambara nut) nut is the second most vital legume which has about 24% protein with a good balance of amino acids and high proportion of lysine and methionine. It is also rich in starch, vitamins and it has also some anti-nutritional factors like saponin, phytic acids and tannins (Poulter, 1981).

Leucaena leucocephala plant originated from America and the Yucatan Pennisula of Mexico. It is thornless long lived shrub or tree. The value of the tree is multifaceted and the potential of increasing and diversifying the use of this wonderful species is enormous. The leaves are highly nutritious in ruminant diets, the strips serve as a form of alley farming, the trunk could be used for paper pulp while the seed could be used as necklace. Also, the young leaves and the seed can be used as vegetable for human consumption. The tree could also produce gum which is similar to that of Arabica gum. However, it has some anti-nutritional factors like mimosine, which when consumed excessively could results in alopecia.

Mucuna preta is also known as Ojo de venado (clear eyes) and sea beans because they often become drift seeds. The seeds are collected and can be used as necklace and bracelets or can be used as violent cathartic. Additionally, the plant can be used to suppress weeds.

Etanda africana tree is found in Guinea savannah and Sudano. It is evenly distributed from Senegal to Cameroon as well as Sudan, Central and Eastern Africa. The plant flowers at the end of rainy season and at the same time the leaves open. It is a medicinal plant used for the treatment of cough and other respiratory disorder, the leaves was also found to be a good fodder.

The seed which is used as toxic abortifiacient (Oduguwa et al., 1997) contained the following anti-nutritional factors, protease inhibitor, lectin/ricin, saponin, tannins, phytic acid, oxalic acid, glucosinolates, gossypol and mimosine. Therefore, the thrust of this work was to evaluate the nutritional and anti-nutritional properties of these lesser-known seeds (Bilighia sapida, Adansonia digitata, Voandzeia subterranea, Leucana leucocephala, Mucuna preta and Etanda africana. The information is intended to serve as a pre-requisite for further investigation into their feeding values.