Performance of Nutrient Digestibility of weaned rabbits fed forages supplemented with concentrate

An experiment was made to examine the effect of feeding three forages (Pacicum maximum) pawpaw leaves and (Tridax procumbens) in addition to concentrateon the performance and nutrient digestibility of crossbred weaned rabbits. Four rabbits were assigned to each dietary treatment in a completely randomized arrangement. The study lasted for 8 weeks. the forage and concentrate had moderate to high crude protein contents (12 to 33%). The DM intake were very high P. maximum and T. procumbens treatment (av. 108g/day). Forage constituted about 75% of the intakes. Dry matter intake on pawpaw leaves treatment (47.31g/day)was the weight gain (10.94g'day) and feed converion ratio (4.3) were best on the pawpoaw leaves the treatment. Tridax procumbens had the highest nutrient digestibility and significant difference (P<0.05) exist on the most of them. Three forages can be used in feeding rabbits when supplemented with concentrate at 2% of the body weight. However, pawpaw leaves gave the best feeding value

Effect of unconventional marinades on beef quality

There is consumer's preference for tender meat. The use of tenderizers to soften meat helps to reduce nutrient losses due to prolonged cooking. This study was conducted to compare the effects of four unconventional marinades (Pawpaw leaves extract, Lime-juice, and Carbonated drinks and distilled water) on the quality of beef. One thousand five hundred grams (1500 g) of beef excised from the thigh muscle was cut into twelve whole pieces of similar sizes and were randomly distributed into four experimental groups in a Complete Randomized Design (CRD). Treatment groups were randomly allotted to experimental marinades measuring 300mL with each marinade containing 100mL of tenderizers. Marination spanned for a period of 24 hours at a temperature of 4 °C. Data collected were: beef proximate composition, weights with pH of beef and marinades, cook and refrigeration losses and sensory scores. Results showed significantly (P<0.05) higher fat and Fe content in beef treated with Lime-juice and Pawpaw leaves extract-based marinades respectively. Marination did not affect (P>0.05) crude protein, ash, moisture content, and calcium. Weights and pH from beef and marinades varied significantly (P<0.05) after marination. Pawpaw leaves extract-based marinades produced more (P<0.05) tender beef; while beef marinated with carbonated drink marinade had significantly (P<0.05) better flavour and overall acceptability. It is therefore concluded that carbonated drink based marinades produced beef with the best quality.

Phytochemical Contents, Characterization and Elemental Analysis of Pawpaw Leave Extract (Carica papaya)

Traditionally, carica papaya (pawpaw) leaves have been used to cure so many diseases which include infertility. The carica papaya leaves were subjected to phytochemical screening using standard methods, elemental analysis was conducted using AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrophometry), FTIR was used to elucidate the compounds detected and GC-MS was used for the qualitative and quantitative detection of the bioactive compounds. The results showed that flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, steroids, saponins and terpenoids were detected. AAS (Atomic Absorption Spectrometry) analysis in mg/kg showed the presence of zinc (26.19mg/kg), chromium (5.22mg/kg), iron (29.17 mg/kg) and manganese (7.92mg/kg) respectively. The functional groups identified in ῡ (cm-1) are 3354 (O-H stretch); 2924, 2853 (C-H stretch); 1736 (C=O stretch); 1619 (C=C stretch), while the result obtained from GC-MS analysis of methanolic extract of Carica papaya leaves revealed Δ -Tocopherol (32.835), γ - Tocopherol (33.671), Vitamin E (34.374), Neryl nitrile (31.817), Curan-17-oic acid, 2, 16-didehydro- 20-hydroxy-19-oxo (30.764). It can be concluded that the Carica papaya leaves extracted with methanol contains some elements such as zinc, iron and manganese and compound such as vitamin E along with the phytochemical. which are require for the treatment of infertility.

Utilisation of common leafy vegetables in the diets of giant West African snail Archachatina marginata (Swainson, 1821) (Stylommatophora: Achatinidae)

A study was conducted to evaluate the effects of utilisation of three leafy vegetable diets (bitter leaf Vernonia amygdalina, fluted pumpkin leaf Telfairia occidentalis and pawpaw leaf Carica papaya) on the growth performance of giant West African snail Archachatina marginata. A total of 90 A. marginata were used for the study. 30 snails were also subjected to three different dietary treatments in three replicates of 10 snails per replicate and fed with the fresh leaves of these vegetables over a period of 12 weeks. Results obtained recorded significant differences (P < 0.05) in terms of weight gain, shell length, shell circumference and shell thickness. On the whole, Archachatina marginata fed on fluted pumpkin leaf performed better in terms of mean weight gain when compared with those fed on bitter and pawpaw leaves. On the other hand, snails fed on pawpaw leaf had the best mean shell length gain, mean shell circumference and mean shell thickness when compared with those fed on bitter and fluted pumpkin leaves. The result clearly showed that the tested leafy vegetables can be successfully utilised as diets for rearing of A. marginata. For farmers to achieve better result, the inclusion of fluted pumpkin and pawpaw leaves in the diets of Archachatina marginata is highly recommended in snail rearing businesses.

Buffering Assessment of Pawpaw (Carica papaya) Leaves and Stem for Fish Production in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Organic materials are alternatives to chemicals for safe and healthy fish production. This study aimed at comparing the buffer efficiency of pawpaw leaves and stem with calcium carbonate on acidic borehole water at different dosages for aquaculture. Forty-eight, 25-litres shaded plastic tanks of three replicates per treatment were used. The tanks were 20 litres filled with experimental water (pH 4.7). There were sixteen treatment (T) levels (T0 to T16). T1 to T15 were classified into three groups of three dosage levels (G) (2.4g [G1], 6g [G2] and 12g [G3]) per pawpaw leaves and stem [dried leaves (DL), fresh leaves (FL), dried stem (DS) and fresh stem (FS)] and calcium carbonate (CA). pH and temperature were monitored once daily while dissolved oxygen, alkalinity and calcium were measured weekly for thirty-one (31) days using standard method. Data were analyzed for analysis of variance, Duncan Multiple Range and descriptive statistics. At the end of the study period, the minimum (4.7) and maximum (7.30) pH were recorded in T0 and T11 respectively. Water pH progressively increased from Day 1 to Day 31 in all the treatment levels. The order of buffer efficiency of pawpaw leaves and stem at the end of the experiment in all the treatment groups was FS<DS<FL<DL. pH values ranged between 6.41 ±0.01 (T4) and 7.03 ±0.02 (T11) on Day 28 and were within the acceptable range of 6.5-9.0. This study therefore suggests the use of DL, FL, DS and FS for fish production. It is free of cost and safe for fish production and human consumption.