The Nutritive Values of the Leaf Meal and Leaf Protein Concentrate of Some Tropical Weeds

The nutritional contents of Gliricidia sepium, Ipomoea aquatica, Lantana camara, Pistia stratiotes, Luffa aegyptiaca, Leucaena leucocephala and Centrosema pubescens were investigated. The crude protein, ash, ether extract, crude fibre, dry matter, nitrogen free extract and minerals in leaf meal (LM) and leaf protein concentrate (LPC) were determined using standard methods. The results of LM were; crude protein (17.50±0.01 - 38.15±0.02%), ash (4.40±0.01 - 7.50±0.02%), ether extract (2.20±0.01 - 2.70±0.03 %), crude fibre (11.50±0.12 - 15.90±0.11%), dry matter (87.30±0.21 - 88.41±0.25 %) and nitrogen free extract (42.45±0.23 - 61.40±0.22%). Also, the results of LPC were; crude protein (35.70±0.23 - 47.24±0.22%), ash (3.90±0.02 - 7.90±0.02%), ether extract (2.10±0.01 - 2.70±0.03%), crude fibre (8.50±0.03 - 12.30±0.02%), dry matter (88.64±0.23 - 90.03±0.24 %) and nitrogen free extract (35.46±0.22 - 47.40±0.25%). The LM mineral analysis were; P (10.0±0.01 - 78.3±0.03 %), Mg (28.3±0.01- 66.6±0.02 %) and K (20.0±0.01 - 51.6±0.02 %). The LPC mineral analysis were; P (6.62±0.02 - 9.41±0.02 %), Mg (18.35±0.01 - 31.45±0.01 %) and K (38.27 ±0.01 - 78.01 ±0.02 %). Therefore, the above weeds could be the panacea for the much needed alternative feed ingredients especially crude protein (35.7 - 47.24%) for sustainable animal production including fish.