PERFORMANCE OF LABORATORY RATS ON TAMARIND SEED EXTRACT

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Date
1988-11
Authors
IDI, MERCY AISHATU (MRS)
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Abstract
ABSTRACT Feeding experiments were conducted to find out if the seeds of the Tamarind tree (Tamarindus indica L) have high quality protein and can promote growth in laboratory rats, so that it can be used in formulation of livestock feeds. Tamarind seed extract contained 19.54% protein. Four diets were formulated, A, B, C and D. Diet A contained only animal protein (egg white) and diets B, C and D contained tamarind seed extract at 10%, 20% and 30% levels, as well as some egg white at 14.09%, 8.17%and 2.23% levels respectively. The diets were fed to rats of the age 21-25 days. Weight and length changes were observed for a period of 3 weeks. Generally the rats fed on diets containing tamarind seed extract had poorer growth and lower protein effeciency ratio (PER) compared to those fed on the diet that contained only egg white. This is as expected. The best feed conversion ratio (FCR) however, was shown by rats fed on a blended diet (Diet B), which contained a mixture of tamarind seed extract (1.9%) and egg white (14.09%). This showed that there is a need for a balanced diet for food to be properly utilized by the body. Although the tamarind protein quality was not specifically determined (in terms of actual amino acid contents) the biological evaluation from this experiment indicates that, it can be mixed in fairly high proportions in the formulation of livestock feeds, provided appropriate animal protein supplements are added.
Description
A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE POSTGRADUATE SCHOOL, AHM/VDU BELLO UNIVERSITY, IN PARTIAL FULFIlLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENT FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTER OF SCIENCE IN EDUCATIONAL BIOLOGY. DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES AHMADU BELLO UNIVERSITY, ZARIA. NOVEMBER, 1988
Keywords
PERFORMANCE,, LABORATORY,, RATS,, TAMARIND,, SEED,, EXTRACT.
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