Indigenous Browse Plants Used For Goat Production in AkwaIbom State, Nigeria; Their Phytochemical, Mineral, Nutrient and Anti-nutrient Contents

Aims: Common indigenous browse plants were identified in this work and their phytochemical, nutrient, anti-nutrient and mineral constituents were investigated. Recommendations have been made based on the findings.
Study Design: A structured questionnaire was administered to goat farmers. Browse plants were collected, authenticated and stored in the herbarium of the Department of Botany and Ecological studies, University of Uyo. Chemical analyses were done on ethanolic extracts of four of the browse plants.
Place and Duration of Study: Plant collections were made from Uyo, Ikono, IbiakuItam in Itu, Oku Abak, in Abak and Anamfa in Oron Local Government Areas.
Methodology: A total of 45 goat farmers (60% males and 40% females) aged 20-46 years were given questionnaires. The chemical analyses were done using mainly the methods of Association of Official Analytical Chemists (A.O.A.C).
Results: A total of 20 plant species in 19 genera and 13 families were identified as common browse for goats in AkwaIbom State. Palisota hirsuta (Thunb.) K. Schum, Rauvolfia vomitoria Afzel., Spondias mombin L. and Manniophyton fulvum (Muell) Arg. showed the presence of bioactive constituents like tannins, flavonoids, cardiac glycosides, saponins, anthraquinones, alkaloids and cyanogenic glycosides. Terpenes though present in trace amounts in M. fulvum, was completely absent in S. mombin while anthraquinones were absent in M. fulvum. The ash content was highest in P. hirsuta (10.6%), crude protein was highest in R. vomitoria (25.88%), crude fibre, crude fat and moisture content were highest in P. hirsuta (28.57%, 12.22%, and 84% respectively). Calcium (200mg/100g), magnesium (74.4mg/100g) and iron (97.58mg/100g) were very high in P. hirsuta than in the other three browse plants. The toxic components such as oxalates were highest in S. mombin (598.4mg/100g).
Conclusion: These browse plants may form good feed resources for modern intensive native goat production. Their conservation by cultivation is recommended.