Melia dubia Cav. drupe pulp: a new alternate livestock feed resource

Abstract

Proximate principles, mineral matter and total phenols analysis in Melia dubia Cav. drupe pulp was carried out in nine populations in southern Gujarat, India. Drupe morpho-metric and biomass attributes, proximate principles, mineral matter and total phenols differed significantly among the studied populations. Average drupe length and width was found 25.60 and 20.92 mm, respectively. Whereas, average drupe fresh weight, pulp fresh weight, pulp dry weight, stone weight was 678.93, 476.45, 166.10 and 202.48 g/100 drupes, respectively and pulp, dry matter and moisture contents were 70.33,35.28 and 64.72%, respectively. Similarly, an average crude fibre, crude protein, ether extract, total ash and nitrogen free extract content of 9.97, 6.07, 2.41, 7.10 and 74.46%, respectively was found in drupe pulp of different populations. Percentage of calcium, magnesium and potassium differed significantly, whereas no significant difference was recorded in phosphorous percentage among the provenances. Overall average Ca, Mg, P and K content of 0.50, 0.16, 0.14 and 2.01%, respectively was recorded in 9 provenances. An average 0.48% total phenols were recorded which were within the permissible limit set aside for any fodder and feed resources. M. dubia pulp could be categorized as good feed resource with low in fibre, but rich in energy and minerals. All proximate parameters, mineral content and total phenols were in level comparable to or better than most widely browse grass, tree and shrub species, hence M. dubia drupe pulp could be utilized as new alternate feed source for livestock.