Utilization of African star apple (Chrysophyllum albidum) kernel meal in broiler diets

Abstract

The effect of feeding graded levels (0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30%) of untreated African star apple kernel meal (ASAKM) on the performance and blood profile of broilers was investigated in an 8-week trial. Two hundred and ten oneweek-old Cobb strain broiler chicks were randomly allotted to 7 diets with 3 replicates of 10 chicks per replicate in a completely randomized design. Data on minerals, vitamins, amino acids and quantification of some anti-nutrients were assayed. The results showed that the kernel was high in nutrients, especially carbohydrate as a source of energy but contains high levels of anti-nutritional or toxic factors. Performance traits (p<0.05) of broilers fed ASAKM gave poor results though without mortality. The increment of dietary levels of the untreated ASAKM did not negatively influence blood composition and most of the measured biochemical indices, the parameters were better (p<0.05), or had values statistically similar with the control diet compared with those on the test diets (p>0.05). Increasing levels of ASAKM in diets caused elevation of AST, ALT, ALP and a significant increase in blood urea levels in the raw kernel meal based diets relative to the control diet (p<0.05). Based on the performance of the birds fed the raw ASAKM, it may be concluded that broilers could barely tolerate 5% raw ASAKM in their diets with minimum adverse effects. However, the values of the blood parameters particularly the red blood cells favoured erythropoiesis, suggesting that the African star apple kernel meal had no detrimental effect on the health status of the birds. Subsequent research should process the raw star apple seed meal before dietary inclusion for optimum results.