Analysis of herbal feed resources to livestock based on its proximate nutrients

Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate the proximate analysis of herbs viz. tulsi leaves (Ocimum sanctum), moringa leaves (Moringa oleifera), curry leaves (Murraya koenigii), fenugreek seeds (Trigonella foenum-graceum), coriander seeds (Coriandrum sativum), turmeric rhizomes (Curcuma longa) and ginger rhizomes (Zingiber officinale). The herbs collected from various places of Tamil Nadu were shade dried, ground in Wiley mill and stored in air tight container for its proximate analysis. The Crude Protein (CP), Crude Fibre (CF) and Ether Extract (EE) values of herbs were ranged from 7.42 to 27.88, 4.39 to 32.04 and 2.15 to 13.23 percent, respectively. The Total Ash (TA) and Nitrogen Free Extract (NFE) content varied widely from 2.85 to 12.69 percent and 35.53 to 79.33 percent, respectively in the herbs studied. Among the herbs studied, moringa leaf powder contained the highest crude protein level of 27.88 percent followed by fenugreek seed powder (23.09%) and Tulsi leaf powder (20.08%). It was concluded that Tulsi leaf powder, Moringa leaf powder and Fenugreek seed powder were rich sources of crude protein and it might be safely explored to use as phytogenic non nutrient feed additives in livestock and poultry ration.