Abstract:
This study was carried out at the Experimental Farm Unit of the College
of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Sudan University of Science
and Technology at Hillat Kuku. Three steers were used to study and compare
the digestion characteristics of the different parts of Balanites aegyptiaca
(leaves, coat, flesh and kernel cake) and the effect of different levels of B.
aegyptiaca kernel cake on the rumen environment and some haematological
and biochemical constituents . Samples of Balanites aegyptiaca leaves, coat,
flesh and kernel cake were collected from North Kordofan state during April
2008.
The kernel cake showed the highest crude protein and Ash content and
the lowest contents were found in the coat. The highest value of nitrogen free
extract and crude fibre were recorded in the coat. The kernel cake had the
highest dry matter and crude protein degradation rate while the coat exhibited
the lowest degradability characteristics.
In this study gas production after 48hrs incubation time ranged between
10.00 (leaves) and 66.00ml/200gDM (flesh). Balanites aegyptiaca flesh had a
significantly higher (P<0.05) gas production from rapid soluble fraction (a)
(22.61), than the leaves, ( 3.5), and coat, (9.73), while Balanites aegyptiaca
