CHEMICAL ANALYSIS OF THE POTENTIAL CONTRIBUTION OF Lantana camara TO THE NUTRITION OF BROWSING LIVESTOCK

Abstract

<p>Contrary to what is known and reported that <em>Lantana camara</em> is poisonous to livestock, animals have been seen consuming it with no cases of poisoning reported in most communal areas in Zimbabwe. A study was conducted to determine the total phenolic compounds and nutrient composition. Pink flowered, red flowered and white flowered <em>L. camara</em> leaves were air dried and milled to facilitate chemical analysis of their crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF). The DM, CP, ADF, and NDF content of <em>L. camara</em> all the three varieties did not differ significantly among the three varieties assessed (P < 0.05). The mean total phenolic compounds of the red and white varieties was twice as high as that of the pink variety (Mean± standard error of difference (4.7 ± 1.5) g/kg DM; and was significant different (P < 0.05). The CP content ranged from 213.2 to 223.1 g/kg of among the three varieties. Phosphorus and calcium content ranged between 3.5 to 3.9g/kg DM and 17 to 24g/kg DM respectively while acid detergent insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) was very low and less than 2g/kg DM. The results from this study demonstrate all the three <em>L. camara</em> varieties exceeded the minimal levels of CP required to sustain animal production and have the potential to contribute to livestock nutrition as a protein supplement. However, more research should be done to determine feeding levels which are not detrimental to animal health.</p>