Cyanide, Nitrates and Nitrite Contents of Livestock Feeds in Umuahia, Nigeria

Abstract

The cyanide nitrate and nitrite contents in pig feeds from six different farms in Umuahia, Nigeria were assayed using spectrophotometric and enzymatic methods. Enzymatic analysis of the feed samples indicated mean total cyanide level of 59.30 ± 3.72 – 361.90 ± 11.2mg^-1 DM. The mean cyanide content of cyanogenic plant materials used in the feed formulation ranged from 85.60 ± 13.2 – 888.10 ± 23.17mgkg^-1. Observation was made that the cyanide measured in these feed samples were higher than the recommended dietary cyanogens levels for both non-ruminants and ruminants; 100mg HCN equivalent kg^-1 for cassava ration. The mean levels of nitrate and nitrite ranged 25.5 ± 2.76mg – 285.5 ± 12.70 and 2.20 ± 0.3 – 218.80 ± 13.42mg kg^-1DM respectively. The toxicological and nutritional significance of the results obtained are discussed.

Keywords: Cyanide, nitrate, nitrite, animal feeds.