Nutrient changes and antinutrient contents of beniseed and beniseed soup during cooking using a Nigerian traditional method.

Evaluations of the effect of prolong cooking on the nutrient and antinutrient composition ofbeniseed and beniseed soup were carried out in this study. Proximate, mineral, vitamin A and C and antinutrient compositions of raw beniseed (BS-R), beniseed boiled (BSB) for 15, 30, 45 and 60 min and beniseed soup (BSS) cooked for the same intervals of time were assessed. Results of the proximate composition analyses showed that raw and boiled beniseed had lower moisture content (5.39-5.51%) than beniseed soups (10.06-15.20%). Nitrogen-free extract (total carbohydrates), fats and phosphorus contents were improved in both the boiled beniseed and beniseed soup while calcium and potassium were increased in the boiled seeds and soup samples respectively. Moisture (in the raw and boiled beniseed), ash, magnesium, zinc, iron contents in both the seed and soup were unchanged in all the samples. Vitamins A and C levels of both boiled beniseed and beniseed soup samples were reduced with increase in cooking time. Beniseed soup had higher protein contents than both the raw and boiled beniseed which decreased with increase in cooking time. Beniseed samples provided good sources of energy (572.97-666.05 kcal/100 g). Except for phytate, the levels of antinutrients tested were lower in the raw and boiled beniseed than in the soup samples which decreased with increase in cooking time. The results are discussed with reference to the effect of prolonged cooking on the nutrient requirements of consumers.

The energy value for and nutritive value of para-rubber seed for rats.

The digestible (DE) and metabolizable energy (ME) of full-fat and defatted rubber seed meals (FRS and DRS) were determined with weanling albino rats fed diets in which the meals replaced either 20 or 40% glucose monohydrate in the reference diet. The nutritive value of both FRS and DRS included at 10, 20 and 30% of the diet as substitutes for groundnut meal and yellow maize was studied with 56, 28-day-old albino rats of the Wistar strain. The trial lasted 28 days. Nutrient digestion and nitrogen retention were studied at the end of the second week on test. The DE and ME for FRS were on average 24.7 +/- 1.30 and 21.7 +/- 0.80 hy/g dry matter and those for DRS were 15.3 +/- 0.97 and 13.8 +/- 0.46 hy/g dry matter. Incorporation of rubber seed meals at increasing levels in the diet significantly depressed gains and worsened feed/gain ratio (P < 0.01), the diet containing 30% FRS or 20 and 30% DRS being significantly inferior to the control and the diet with 10% FRS or DRS. Significantly (P < 0.01) superior gains but not feed intake and efficiency were obtained for FRS compared to DRS. Percent intake -N retained also decreased with increasing rubber seed levels in the diet. Except for the significantly (P < 0.05) higher crude fibre digestibility of the control diet compared with those containing 20 or 30% FRS or DRS, the digestibilities of other nutrients were not significantly different.

Analysis of the egg production pattern in a tropical wet climate: influences of the phase of production and the estimated period of oviposition.

The egg production data of a commercial strain of 400 Shaver laying hens were used to study the changes in the percentage/hen/day production from 1 to 48 weeks in lay, applying both simple linear and logarithmic models, which corresponded best to the real conditions. The maximum rate of egg production occurred in the first 12 weeks of lay, followed by a gradual decrease, which became significantly pronounced in the 25 to 48 week production phase. As the hens advanced in age, significant changes were observed in the trend and period of oviposition indicative of an increasingly delayed laying period.

Estimating the mature body weight of indigenous Nigerian pigs using body weight and tissue composition changes with age.

The body weight changes with age were studied for 64 female, male, and castrated male indigenous Nigerian pigs each between birth and 672 days. The results showed non-significant (P greater than 0.05) sex differences and highly significant (P less than 0.01) sex-age interactions. The average percentage changes in body weight between 336 and 392 days were four times higher than those between 392 and 504 days, during which the body weight changes stabilized, associated with non-significant changes in the percentages of bone, lean, and fat. The average mature body weight of the pigs was about 65 kg (62.58 kg +/- 3.54 for female, 67.50 kg +/- 1.59) for castrated male, and 65.51 kg +/- 2.00 for intact male pigs.

Effects of sex, age, and body weight on the growth of selected organs and body parts of indigenous Nigerian pigs.

The absolute and relative growth of the head, spleen, kidney fat, stomach, and intestine were studied for 64 intact male, castrated male, and female indigenous Nigerian pigs each. Highly significant (P less than 0.001) sex, age, and sex X age interactions were obtained for the absolute and relative weights of some of the organs and body parts. The results indicate that the organ and part growth was particularly rapid between birth and 280 days of age, but stabilized beyond that time. The average growth coefficient 'b' obtained from the linearized form Y = axb of the growth equation varied between 0.819 for the head and 1.677 for the kidney fat and agreed with relevant values reported in the literature. They confirmed the sequential anterior-posterior growth pattern of organs and body parts in different anatomical regions of the body. A comparison of the allometric and quadratic models used indicated that the organ/body part growth was better described by body weight than by age.

Aspects of linear growth of muscles in the indigenous Nigerian pig.

The development of the length of 2 spinal column, 7 hind limb, and 4 fore limb muscles of one body half were investigated in 64 female, male, and castrated male indigenous Nigerian pigs each from birth to 627 days of age. While the muscle lengths increased significantly (P less than 0.001) with age, non-significant sex influences (P greater than 0.05) were obtained except for M. gastrocnemius and M. infraspinatus. The rate of longitudinal growth in muscles was greatest between the birth and 112 days of age. The ratio of linear equivalence (cubic root) of the muscle weights to muscle lengths indicated the proportionate increase in transverse growth relative to longitudinal growth. Generally, these ratios were higher in the earlier than in the later phase of growth and stabilized between 112 and 448 days post natal. Linear modelling of the growth gave highest values for male and lowest values for castrated animals. Muscle length growth was more closely related to body weight than to chronological age. Estimates of the longissimus dorsi muscle diameter were highly related to the body weight (R2 = 0.96), with intact male pigs exhibiting the highest growth potential in this parameter.

Chemical fat composition of muscles of the indigenous Nigerian pigs as influenced by age and sex.

Seven selected muscles of 96 indigenous Nigeria (32 female, 32 castrated male and 32 intact male) pigs aged between birth and 504 days were analysed for chemical fat. Highly significant age effects were observed for the seven muscles. Statistically significant sex differences were observed for all the muscles except semitendinosus. Generally, fat values for muscles of intact male pigs were lower than for the other two sexes. While non-significant sex-age interactions were observed for biceps femoris, semitendinosus, semimembranosous and longissimus dorsi muscles, highly significant effects were observed for psoas major, triceps brachii and infraspinatus. Growth coefficients b derived from log-log regressions of intramuscular fat weight on body weight ranged from an average of 1·088 (R(2) = 0·956) for M. infraspinatus to 1·348 (R(2) = 0·934) for M. biceps femoris and from 0·604 (R(2) = 0·945) to 0·756 (R(2) = 0·941) when related to carcass fat. Average growth coefficients for fore limb muscles were less than for hind limb and spinal column muscles. Fat growth in other depots is reported for comparison with growth of intramuscular fat.