Extrapolating nutritional potentials of ensiled wild sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia) leaf meal: proximate composition and functional properties

Abstract

Tithonia diversifolia leaf was harvested, processed and ensiled for the purpose of determining the proximate and some functional properties. On proximate analyses, ensiled Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal (eTDLM) had crude protein value of 20.0%±3.61; crude fiber 19.0%±0.01; ether extract (lipid content) 4.0%±0.05 and ash content was an average of 16.7%±0.01. Nitrogen free extract (carbohydrate) was relatively high at 26.0%±0.01, while moisture content averaged 11.8%+0.01. Water absorption capacity (WAC) averaged 310.0%±1.0, while the fat absorption capacity (FAC) was 354.5%±0.1. Mean fat emulsion capacity and emulsion stability of the leaf meal were 42.5%±0.07 and 57.5%±0.1, respectively. Bulk density averaged 0.8 g/ml while foaming capacity (FC), foaming stability (FS) and least gelation concentration (LGC) averaged 11.0%±0.07, 3.0cm±0.7 and 8.0%±0.1, respectively. Comparison of the proximate composition and functional properties of eTDLM against known food agents established the potential usefulness of eTDLM in food systems and as a probable alternative feed ingredient in monogastric protein feed supplementation.

Keywords: Anaerobic biodegradation, preliminary nutritional study, ensiled Tithonia diversifolia leaf meal