Performance and toxicological effects of cooked baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seed meal on West African dwarf goats

Abstract

Twelve West African dwarf bucks aged 5-7 months of age, and having an average weights 6.67 kg were used to evaluate the effect of cooked baobab seed meal (CBSM) on the performance and blood profile of West Africa dwarf (WAD) goats for 12 weeks. The bucks were distributed into four treatment groups (n=3), using completely randomised design. Baobab seeds were cooked in boiling water for one hour, sun-dried and crushed into a meal. Four diets were compounded and designated; A (0%), B (25%), C (50%) and D (75%) CBSM. Results showed that there were no significant differences (P>0.05) in all the performance indices measured. The mean daily feed intake values (345.50-367.47 g/day) and mean daily weight gains (7.54-17.06 g/day) were similar (P>0.05) across the treatments. Haematological parameters; packed cell volume, white blood cells, haemoglobin, lymphocytes and neutrophils all showed treatment effect (P<0.05). Treatment effects (P<0.05) were also observed in values of serum albumin, serum glutamic oxaloacetate transaminase and triglyceride among the treatments, however, all the treatment values were within normal ranges. Cooked baobab seed meal up to 75% could be used by farmers as replacement for soybean in the diets of WAD goats with no toxic effects on blood profile or performance.