NUTRITIVE POTENTIALS OF LEAF PROTEIN CONCENTRATE AND BAGASSE OBTAINED FROM COCOA (Theobroma cacao) PRUNINGS AT IBADAN, SOUTH WEST NIGERIA
This study was carried out at the Department of Value Addition Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria to investigate the nutritive potentialities of cocoa (Theobroma cacao) leaf protein concentrate and bagasse obtained from Cocoa pruning from the Cocoa Research Institute of Nigeria Mainstation. Fresh Cocoa leaf prunings were harvested early in the morning. It was washed, blended and processed into Cocoa Leaf protein concentrates and bagasse which were sundried and immediately taken to the laboratory for chemical analysis. The result showed that crude protein content was higher (39.89%) in cocoa leaf protein concentrate while lowest (10.88%) in cocoa leaf meal. Crude fibre content was higher (46.25%) in those from cocoa leaf bagasse. Nitrogen free extract was highest (35.88%) in cocoa leaf meal. Calcium value was highest 584.85mg/100g in Cocoa leaf bagasse, Sodium, potassium and iron was highest in cocoa LPC. Magnesium was highest in CLB while phosphorus was highest in CLPC. Phytochemical composition showed that higher alkaloid value of (0.53mg/100g) was obtained from Cocoa Leaf Meal. Saponin content was highest (0.32mg/100g) in those obtained from cocoa leaf meal. Oxalate content was higher (0.66mg/100g) in those obtained from cocoa leaf meal. Phytate content was also highest (0.87mg/100g) in those from cocoa leaf meal. Phenol content was higher (0.60mg/100g) in those obtained from cocoa leaf protein concentrate. Flavonoid content was also higher (13.26mg/100g) in those obtained from cocoa leaf protein concentrate. It is concluded therefore that Cocoa Leaf Protein Concentrate holds prospect as a viable substitute for Soya Bean Meal, Groundnut Meal etc in livestock feed formulation. The Bagasse yield was also high and could be used as feed for ruminants and can also ensiled and used for dry season feeding when feed is scarce.
Keywords: Cocoa Leaf Meal, Cocoa Leaf Protein Concentrate, Cocoa Leaf Bagasse, Chemical Composition
