Chemical Composition And Feeding Value Of Sandbox (Hura Crepitans) Seed Meal As An Alternative Plant Protein Source For Rabbits In Southern Nigeria

The chemical composition and feeding value of sandbox seed meal (SBSM) were evaluated in this study. The mature pods were harvested from sandbox trees and broken to obtain the seeds. The seeds were sun dried to constant weight before milling and the oil was extracted. The final samples were subjected to chemical analyses. Sixty cross bred weaned rabbits of mixed sexes between the ages of 7 and 8 weeks old, with mean body weight (933.66±2.53g) were used in the determination of the feeding value of SBSM. Five experimental diets were formulated where SBSM replaced soybean meal at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100 % for T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively. The feeding trial lasted for 60 days. At the end, 6 rabbits per treatment were sacrificed for carcass evaluation. All data obtained were subjected to one way analysis of variance. Result showed the proximate composition of SBSM as 90.75 % dry matter, 26.88 % ether extract, 5.02 % ash, 24.41 % crude protein,11.49 % crude fibre and 33.20 % nitrogen free extracts. The anti-nutrients were 19.10 mg/g oxalate, 1.67 mg/g tannins, 3.45 mg/g alkaloids, 6.44 mg/g saponins, 0.20 mg/g flavonoids, 2.56 mg/g cyanogenic glucosides and 1.05 mg/g trypsin inhibitors. The fatty acids were linoleic acid (10.03%), oleic acid (7.48%, stearic acid (4.62%), linolenic acid (4.49%), palmitoleic acid (2.44%), lauric acid (0.21%) and palmitic acid (1.00%). The mineral composition showed potassium (189.51 mg/g), calcium (7.45 mg/g), sodium (5.08 mg/g), zinc (1.94 mg/g), iron (6.95 mg/g), copper (0.86 mg/g) and phosphorus (0.41 mg/g); while vitamins A, E, K, C and D were 405.72 IU, 0.87, 0.41, 0.03 and 1.80 mg/100g, respectively. Growth performance parameters showed significant (p<0.05) effect on final weight, daily weight gain, daily feed intake and FCR, respectively. Carcass characteristics showed significant (p<0.05) effect in the relative weight of the thigh, back cut and rack. The study concluded that sandbox seed meal is rich in nutrients and moderate in anti-nutrients. Therefore, can serve as a good alternative plant protein. Sandbox seed meal can conveniently replace soybean meal up to 75 % without adverse effects on performance of rabbits.