Use of Livestock and Plant Agro-Waste in the Production of Organic Feed and Its Effect on the Physiology of Albino Wistar Rats

Abstract

The need to consider agricultural wastes as resources for organic feed formulation has been of interest to researchers. This study was aimed at investigating the use of some livestock and plant agro-wastes in the production of organic feed and its effect on the physiology of albino Wistar rats. A total of 30 weaning rats were separated into six (6) different groups with 5 rats per group. Groups 1, 2, and 3 were fed with known commercial feed -Vital, Top and Hybrid feeds respectively, Group 4 was fed with corn only, while Groups 5 and 6 were fed with indigenous formulated feed FF1 and FF2 respectively - derived from some local livestock and agro-waste. Phytochemical constituents and proximate composition of the various feeds were carried out. The animals were fed for 7 weeks during which anthropometric measurement and data were collected. Blood samples were collected via venipuncture after seven weeks for biochemical and haematology analysis. The result of the proximate analysis of the formulated feeds showed protein values of  30.00±3.00 (FF1) and 22.00±1.00 (FF2) as against 18%, 21% and 22% for Vital, Top and Hybrid feeds respectively. The haematology  indices showed that the various feeds improved erythropoietic functions. Similarly, the Biochemical functions of the commercial feeds and Formulated diets can support growth and maintain homeostasis. Conclusively, this study has demonstrated an added advantage in the use of agro-wastes and their biotransformation into a cost-effective replacement for commercial feeds.

Keywords: Commercial feeds, Formulated feeds, Wistar rats, Corn