Abstract
In the subtropic and perhaps worldwide a novel plant Caladium bicolor (wild cocoyam, Ikpong Ekpo) has not actually been utilized as food for man, livestock or poultry, though in abundance. Also, the effective utilization of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor) tubers in livestock and poultry feed is limited by the presence of anti-nutrient components which requires some form of processing. The effect of boiling and soaking on gross energy, mineral composition, anti-nutritional factors (ANFs) and proximate composition of wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait), Vent) were determined with the aim of investigating its suitability as a feed ingredient. The soaked, raw and boiled tubers were dried, milled and analyzed for chemical compositions. Crude protein contents of raw and processed Caladium bicolor tubers range were 7.58% - 8.28% and the crude fibre values ranged between1.92 - 2.12%. The gross energy value of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was higher (2.85kcal/g) and also statistically similar (p>0.05) to both raw and soaked Caladium bicolor tubers. The micro and macro mineral composition of boiled Caladium bicolor tubers was significantly (p<0.05) lower compared to soaking method. Values obtained for boiled Caladium bicolor tubers were significantly (p<0.05) lower in all the toxic substances determined, except for the HCN content being above the tolerable limit for ruminant animals. The results indicate that processing techniques adopted enhanced the proximate composition, caloric components, mineral contents and significantly (p>0.05) lowered in the level of anti-nutrients present in wild cocoyam (Caladium bicolor (Ait). Vent) tubers with boiling being the best and hence the recommended processing method for use in detoxifying C. bicolor.
Highlights
Imbalanced feed for animal is a major factor affecting livestock and poultry production in the developing countries.[1]
The values recorded for parameters in this study had significant (p
The values of parameters for raw tuber meal were significantly (p
Summary
Imbalanced feed for animal is a major factor affecting livestock and poultry production in the developing countries.[1]. The major problem in livestock production is the accelerated cost of conventional feedstuffs (soya bean, maize, groundnut etc); leading to high cost of animal production. To solve this problem the use of non-conventional or alternative feed sources such as Caladium bicolor tubers becomes imperative.[4,5] Due to an increased need to utilise alternative feedstuff for feed availability at low cost, research into the use of unconventional feedstuffs plays important role in livestock production at this point where population pressure and development reduced the available grazing land for livestock
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
