Abstract
This research was carried out to assess the replacement of conventional antibiotics (tetracycline) with a spice such as Grain of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta) as a growth promoter in ruminant production. The results of proximate, fibre and phytochemical analyses of the spice revealed the presence of appreciable quantities of tannins, saponins, phenols, oxalates, alkaloids etc. The in vitro studies using inoculum from cattle showed that at 24th, 30th and 33rd hour of incubation, similar but lowest gas production was observed in substrate containing 2% tetracycline (17.00, 21.33 and 22.67 mL/200mg) and 2% spice (18.00, 21.67 and 23.00 mL/200mg) respectively, than other treatments. Percentage methane/total gas produced by 1% spice additive (18.89 mL/200mg) is similar (p>0.05) to 2% spice additive (19.44 mL/200mg), but lower (p<0,05) than in 2% tetracycline additive (35.36 mL/200mg). Ammonia nitrogen produced by substrate containing 3% spice additive had lowest value (13.61mL/0.80 mg/dL). Inclusion of spice at various levels has no effect on total Volatile Fatty Acids (VFA) and individual VFA production. In conclusion, spice such as Grain of Paradise (Aframomum melegueta), can therefore be used as a growth promoter feed additive to replace tetracycline at 2% inclusion and to reduce the effect of enteric methane production by ruminant animals. This might solve the problem of residual effects of antimicrobials in meat produced by ruminant animals for human consumption.
Published Version
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