The performance of weaned albino rats (Wister strain) fed Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leave-based diets

Abstract

Adansonia digitata seeds were cultivated and their seedling leaves were harvested in large quantities. The seedling leaves were dried and analysed for proteins, lipids and carbohydrates using microjedahl, soxhlet and UV analytical tools respectively. This was done on weekly basis starting from 4th week of germination. The seedling leaf was found to have the highest crude protein value of 13.57% obtained at 6th week after germination. Two diets prepared from A. digitata leaf were fed parallel into albino rats with diets containing roasted full fat soyabean as control. The result reveals that A. digitata leaves can be included in the diet of albino rats at up to 20% level without depression in performance of feed intake, body weight gain and feed to gain ration (feed conversion ratio).

Keywords: Rats, protein, performance, Adansonia digitata, Soya bean