Proximate composition of some Indian herbs used as feed additive in livestock and poultry

Abstract

A study was conducted to evaluate the proximate composition of some herbs (Ocimum sanctum, Trigonella foenum-graceum, Emblica officinalis and Mentha arvensis). These herbs may be used as feed additive in ration of livestock and poultry. The herbs were collected from reputed herbal shop from Bikaner and proximate composition of the herbs were analyzed by standard methods described by AOAC (2005). The results of study showed the proximate values of the herbs which were in range between 4.50% to 24.15 % for crude protein, 0.50% to 5.50 % for ether extract, 7.10% to 16.00% for crude fiber, 53.00 % to 82.00 % for nitrogen free extract and 4.67-17.67% for total ash. All the herbs are potential source of nutrients along with the medicinal values. The importance of these nutrients cannot be over emphasized, to be used as remedy in human beings. These can be incorporated as a feed additive in livestock and poultry production.