Effects of dried cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) apple meal (DCAM) on the growth performance and internal organs of albino rats

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to ascertain the nutrient composition of dried cashew apple meal (DCAM) and the effect of diets containing varying levels of the DCAM on the growth performance, economics of production and the internal organs of albino rats. Sixteen rats with a mean initial weight of 64.7 g were randomly allotted to four isoproteic and isocaloric diets in a Randomized Complete Block Design based on their weight and sex. The diets were: T0 (0% DCAM), T1 (5% DCAM), T2 (10% DCAM) and T3 (15% DCAM). Each treatment had four replicates. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Data collected were analysed using ANOVA of GenStat Discovery Edition 4. No differences occurred between diets for daily feed intake, daily weight gain and FCR. It cost $0.009, $0.016 and $0.002 more for rats on T1, T2 and T3 respectively to gain 100 g of weight. No differences occurred between treatments for internal organs except for the relative weight of the empty GIT where rats on T3 had higher weight (P < 0.05). It was deduced that the DCAM could be useful in monogastric livestock feeding and could be added to a rate up to 15% of the diet.