Characterization of Turmeric and West African Black Pepper as Potential Livestock Feed Additives

Phytochemicals, derived from plants such as turmeric and West African black pepper (WABP), have drawn attention as natural feed additives in animal nutrition. These bioactive compounds possess anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties. However, their concentration in these plants vary across geographical locations, hence the need for location-specific characterization which would produce more accurate applications in livestock feeding. This study was therefore aimed at determining the proximate and phytochemical compositions of turmeric rhizomes and WABP seeds cultivated in Southwestern Nigeria. These rhizomes and seeds were separately cleaned of debris, solar dried and pulverized, after which each sample was subjected to laboratory analysis for proximate and phytochemical compositions using the AOAC (2005) and phytochemical screening methods respectively. Results showed that turmeric rhizomes contained 14.63±0.27% moisture, 9.35±0.35% ash, 5.16±0.00% crude fat, 13.70±0.35% crude fibre, 5.95±0.25% crude protein and 51.22±0.02% carbohydrate. It also contained 30.48±0.08mg/g flavonoids, 68.76±0.49mg/g alkaloids, 57.70±0.42mg/g phenols, 12.12±0.18mg/g tannins, 16.12±0.04 mg/g saponins and 4.08±0.03mg/g curcumin. West African black pepper seeds also contained 11.82±0.25% moisture, 5.21±1.32% ash, 9.19±2.69% crude fat, 9.88±0.20% crude fibre, 9.88±0.62% crude protein and 54.03±1.54% carbohydrate. Its phytochemical contents were 57.70±0.42mg/g flavonoids, 12.12±0.18mg/g alkaloids, 6.53±0.42 mg/g phenols, 68.76±0.49mg/g tannins, 30.48±0.08mg/g saponins and 9.58±0.21mg/g piperine. The results of this study give background information on the constituents of Nigerian-grown turmeric and WABP, thus supporting quality control studies for the establishment of effective and safe doses of Curcuma longa and Piper guineense for inclusion in livestock diet.