Evaluation Of The Proximate Composition, Amino Acid Profile And The Level Of Anti-Nutritional Factors Of Raw And Differently Processed Senna Obtusifolia Seed Meal.

This study was conducted to determined the chemical composition of raw and differently processed Senna obtusifolia seed meal (SOSM). The seed were divided into four. Portions. The first portion was raw SOSM; second portion was boiled SOSM; third portion was toasted SOSM and the fourth batch was fermented SOSM. The differently processed seeds were properly sun-dried, milled and analyzed in triplicates for their proximate composition, amino acid profile and levels of anti-nutritional factors using standard laboratory procedures. The chemical composition of the processed SOSM was significantly (P<0.05) affected by the different processing methods. The lowest protein content, amino acid profile, and the levels of antinutritional factors were recorded in the SOSM. The toasted and the fermented SOSM however indicated the highest protein contents of 17.25 and 17.15%. The different processing methods were observed to reduce the levels of the anti-nutritional factors. However, the fermented SOSM indicated the lowest tannins (0.66 mg/100 g), alkaloids (0.63 mg/100 g) phytates (0.37 mg/100 g), oxalates (0.46 mg/100 g) and saponins (0.41 mg/100 g). In conclusion, the different processing methods were effective in reducing the levels of the anti-nutritional factors but boiling and fermentation was observed to be more effective in enhancing the nutritional qualities of the seeds and it is therefore, recommended for feeding livestock Animal SOSM. Background The scarcity and high cost of conventional ingredients are major factors limiting the growth of the poultry industry globally. This has driven research into alternative ingredients for poultry feeding. Senna obtusifolia or cassia, a widely distributed shrub, is invasive in many regions of the world. The seeds and leaves of the plant are moderate protein sources with the protein having an acceptable amino acid profile, especially essential amino acids. This nutritional profile of Senna obtusifolia products (seeds and leaves), coupled with their availability make them potential protein supplements for poultry feeding; however, the presence of several antinutritional factors (ANFs) (Oxalate, phytate, saponins, tannins and haemagglutinins) hinders their fullest use in the diet. In recent years, there has been increasing research interest into processing techniques to reduce the ANFs content and make these products safe for poultry feeding