Chemical Composition and digestion kineics of seed, leaves and shooting Branches of Sidder (Ziziphus -spina-christi) Tree

Abstract

Mechanically oil extracted cakes of Nabak seed, Leaves and tender branches were analyzed to determine the chemical composition, crude protein , dry matter degradability and effective degradability. Samples were air dried at room temperature. Nylon bags technique was employed using three castrated steers, samples of each parts were incubated in the rumen for 0, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 72 hours. The data obtained were subjected to student's t test to examine the DM and CP degradation rate. The results showed that the following composition: dry matter,96.59 ±0.01%,96.15±0.005%,94.61±0.015%,and94.63±0.015%,ash10.03±0.07 %, 8.47±0.12%, 2.62 ±0.012%, and 12±0.015%; fat 0. 0 3 ±0.00%, 1.12±0.07%, 0.94±0.015% and 1.09±0.01%; crude protein 8.03±0.15%, 14.77±0.23%, 10.55±0.07% and 8.65±0.087%; and crude fiber 14.21±0.012%, 12.72±0.015%,13.50 ±0.015% and 32.46±0.015%, for green shoots , leaves, flesh and seed cakes respectively. Effective degradability (ED) of DM decreased with increase in outflow rates ranging from a low of 35.88% (k=0.05) to 72.67% (k=0.02) in the leaves and 26.59% (k=0.05) to 54.60% (k=0.02) in the residues. Potentially the degradability of CP in the leaves was between 22.41 and 57.38% and 22.87 and 57.19% in the residues. The least ED (k=0.05) of CP was 14.11% while the highest was 48.01% (k=0.02) in the leaves whereas the residues had a range between 13.20% (k=0.05) and 46.70% (k=0.02). Crude protein disappearance post-incubation for 48 hrs ranged between 17.63 and 53.81% and 14.34 and 53.07% in the leaves and residues respectively. The findings of this study showed that the DM compared with CP in the leaves and residues was more degradable in the rumen with the leaves better in this same regard. X No differences (P> 0.05) were registered for the gas derived from the (a) fraction. The highest gas volume originated from the (b) fraction was found with the leaves. (P<0.05) (75.5412b ml/200 mg OM).seed cake produced the lowest value for this fraction (33.9781a ml/200 mg OM). The highest constant rate of gas production (c) was registered in seed cake (0.05393a % h-1) whereas the lowest constant rate was registered in the leaves (0.00949b % h-1). The potential production (a + b) ranged from -32.691b to 74.92b ml/200 mg OM (P<0.05) in the seed cake and the leaves, respectively. The information thus provided by this study could be useful in the planning of ruminant diets particularly in the dry season of the tropics. DM and CP degradation rate significantly (P < 0.05) increased with the length of the incubation period. It may be concluded that Nabak seed cakes had low content CP and energy and high fiber. the seddir leaves had high nutritive value and therefore, may serve as potential supplements for ruminant diets. However, feeding trails should be performed to determine the level of Nabak cakes in rumen feeding