Determination of the Nutritional Value of Acacia macrostachya (Reichend.ex DC) and Cirina butyrospermi (Vuillet) Used in Local Chicken Feeding in Burkina Faso

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Laboratory analysis: The seeds of Acacia macrostachya and Cirina butyrospermi were collected from Nasso located at 15 km from Bobo-Dioulasso (Burkina Faso) in June 2019. The samples were crushed after sun dried and stored for various analysis. The dry matters and ash was determined using the official methods of analysis¹². The crude fat was extracted with the anhydrous diethyl ether using the Soxtec^TM 2050 apparatus¹³. The crude proteins and nitrogen were determined with the Kjeldahl method using the digestion block and the Foss 8400 system¹⁴. Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) and Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) were analyzed using the Ankom 2000 Fiber Analyzer. The gross energy was measured with Parr 6300 Calorimeter. For that, solid pellets were made and introduced into the calorimeter to determine the energy value. Energy of each sample was calculated directly in relation to its weight. The ash was mixed with 5 mL of concentrated HNO₃ and 12.5 mL of 50% HCl. The mixture was boiled at a low temperature on a hot plate and then allowed to cool. After cooling, the samples were filtered into and calibrated to 100 mL using distilled water. The different mineral salts were determined by atomic absorption or by spectrophotometer for phosphorus¹⁵. Finally, the fatty acids profile was determined by the direct methylation method as described by Sukhija and Palmquist¹⁶ with some modifications.

Statistical analysis: The results were expressed as an average±standard deviation (SD). Statistical analysis was performed (calculation of means, standard deviations and p-values) using a data processing software package CSPro.

RESULTS

Nutritional value: Table 1 shows the nutritional contents of C. butyrospermi and A. macrostachya seeds. The nutrient levels were significantly higher in C. butyrospermi samples (p<0.001) than A. macrostachya. protein contents in C. butyrospermi (50.2±2.66%) were higher than A. macrostachya (40.3±0.74%). The same trend was found with nitrogen, fibers and energy. It was observed that C. butyrospermi contain twice as much fats as A. macrostachya. Both samples contain some minerals, however, the calcium content was higher (p<0.001) in Acacia macrostachya seeds (0.41%) than that of Cirina butyrospermi (0.28%).

Fatty acid content: The fatty acids contents of Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds were ranged from 0.04-34.20% (Table 2). About the nineteen fatty acids quantified there are eight saturated, three omega-3, three omega-6, one omega-7, two omega-9 and two omega-11. Among the two plant samples, palmitic and Stearic acids were the most abundant saturated fatty acids. Concerning the serial of omega, Acacia macrostachya seeds contain a high amount of linoleic acid (32.49%) and Oleic acid (34.20%) whereas, Cirina butyrospermi seeds contain a high amount of α-Linolenic acid (31.24%).

DISCUSSIONS

Feed formulation for animal especially local chickens require knowledge of the composition and nutritional value of the ingredients used. For this reason, the nutrients including proteins, mineral salts, lipids, dietary fibers (NDF and ADF), ash, dry matter, moisture content and energy value of Cirina butyrospermi and the seeds of Acacia macrostachya were determined in this study. After analysis it was observed that both samples contained some impressive levels of each nutrient tested. Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds were very high in protein. Indeed, proteins are macromolecules made up of twenty amino acids (AA), 11 of which are essential. Essential amino acids cannot be synthesized by animals, especially chickens, therefore, they must be provided by food in an amount that meets requirements¹⁷. Protein is also involved in building muscle, feathers, eggs and cell regeneration in chickens. In addition to proteins, these two species contained very high levels of lipids which are also macromolecules composed of several types of fatty acids, including mainly the saturated fatty acids (Palmitic acid and Stearic acid) and the serial of omega such as omega-3 (α-Linolenic acid), omega-6 (Linoleic acid) and omega-9 (Oleic acid). These fatty acids cannot be synthesized in the chicken's body but are necessary for normal growth and the physiological functions of cells¹⁸. Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds had acceptable levels of metabolizable energy, which is necessary for maintenance, growth or egg production. They are also rich in crude fibers (ADF and NDF). Previous studies have shown that an increased crude fiber content has a positive impact on feather pecking (cannibalism) and on the shape of eggs¹⁹. Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds are also rich in mineral trace elements (iron and zinc) which are involved in anemia and depigmentation of the feathers, growth, immunity, resistance to disease and blood egg-laying in breeding females. Cirina butyrospermi and the Acacia macrostachya seeds contain macro-minerals (calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, potassium) that are essential for the constitution of the skeleton²⁰. In short, Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds may be the solution to the high cost of fishmeal in the poultry. They are very rich in nutrients necessary for chicken growth, especially in protein compared to many other plants or animals considered as sources of protein (12-30% for Cassia tora, 28.01% for Leucaena leucocephala)²¹. In addition, their protein content (50.23% for Cirina butyrospermi and 40.3% for Acacia macrostachya seeds) was close to that of fish meal, which is 63%^6,22. The same was true for the content of other nutrients (mineral salts, lipids, energy and dietary fiber) which were close to those of fish meal. As a result of these different considerations and their low-cost accessibility, Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds could be incorporated into the diet of local chickens as a source of protein. Thus, these species could be an alternative solution to the high cost of fishmeal in the poultry sector.

CONCLUSION

Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds had high levels of crude protein, nitrogen, minerals, lipids, fatty acids, energy and crude fiber. The nutritional composition of Cirina butyrospermi and Acacia macrostachya seeds are very useful for the formulation of local chickens feed in Burkina Faso.

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

The authors would like to thank the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) for material and financial assistance through project BKF5021.

DISCLAIMER

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