Weight analyses and nitrogen balance assay in rats fed extruded African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) based diets

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Weight analyses and nitrogen balance assay in adult rats in raw and extruded African breadfruit (Treculia africana) based diets were carried out using response surface methodology in a central composite design. Process variables were feed composition (40 - 100 % Africanbreadfruit, 0 - 5 % corn and 0 - 55 % soybean, respectively), feed moisture (15 – 27 %) and screw speed (100 – 180 rpm). One hundred and two adult rats weighing 71 – 86 g were housed in stainless steel metabolism cages, and fed different diets comprising 5 (raw), 25 (extruded), standard casein and N-free diets in groups of 6 rats percage on the basis of body weight. Data generated were used in calculating nitrogen intakes and balances, biological values, net protein utilization and protein efficiency ratio during the 7-day feeding period. Rats fed the standard raw diet made from casein had the highestfood intake (47.20 g) while those fed diets made from 100 % African breadfruit had the least food intake (29.40 g). Food intake was generally higher in the extruded diets ranging from 35 g in diet containing 70 % African breadfruit, 5 % corn and 25 % soybean to 48.90 g for dietsmade from 40 % African breadfruit, 5 % corn and 55 % soybean. Maximum body weight gain, carcass, organ and liver weights were 6.20, 53.80, 13.30 and 3.10 g for rats fed raw diets and 11.60, 93.40, 23.40 and 6.40 g respectively, for those fed extruded diets. Biologicalvalues (0.77 - 0.94), net protein utilization (0.72 - 0.91) and protein efficiency ratio (1.04 - 2.22) for extruded diets were reported. Diet intake was quadratically affected by feed moisture and screw speed.