PROXIMATE STUDY, MINERAL AND ANTI-NUTRIENT COMPOSITION OF CYMBOPOGON CITRANUS LEAVES HARVESTED FROM ILORIN, NIGERIA: POTENTIAL BENEFITS IN ANIMAL NUTRITION AND HEALTH
OJO, Olayinka Abosede
Date : 2017-12-06 Volume : 9

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. 1510756523.php