The impact of extraction methods on chemical composition and phytochemical constituents of common browse plants and selected tree species

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of different extraction process on chemical
composition, in-vitro and methane gas production of selected browse plants and tree
species (Albizzia lebbeck, Enterolobium cyplocarpum, Millettia grifoniana,
Moringa oleifera and Pterocarpus santalinoides) which were collected from the
vicinity of Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (FUNAAB), Ogun State,
Nigeria during late dry season. Samples collected were air-dried for 14 days after
which they were milled, ground and packaged for further analysis. Phytochemical
constituents, In vitro gas production, fibre fractions and crude protein content were
assessed using standard procedures. Data collected were subjected to ANOVA using
SAS. Results revealed that Millettia grifoniana recorded the lowest gas production
value while Moringa oleifera produced the highest value throughout 72 hours of
incubation. Albizzia lebbeck had highest DM (891.7 g/kg) while Moringa oleifera
had highest CP (161.7 g/kg), ash (81.7 g/kg) and EE (165.6 g/kg) contents. Diethylextracted Pterocarpus santalinoides had highest NDF (680.0 g/kg) and
hemicellulose content (360.0 g/kg) while water-extracted Pterocarpus santalinoides
had highest ADF (5520.0 g/kg) and cellulose content (366.7 g/kg). Highest (p<0.05)
tannin contents were observed in Diethyl-extracted Albizzia lebbeck (0.08%) and
Millettia grifoniana (0.08%) while water-extracted Moringa oleifera produced
highest phenols. It was concluded that Moringa oleifera proves to be the best due to
its high in vitro gas production, reduced methane production, high protein content
and reduced fibre fraction. Furthermore, all plants investigated, except
Pterocarpus santalinoides, can serve as supplement in ruminants feeding.