PERFORMANCE OF LABORATORY RATS ON TAMARIND SEED EXTRACT
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.