Abstract 213

Nwokolo,-E

Dep. Animal Science, Univ. British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2A2, Canada.

Nutrition-Reports-International. 1987, 36: 4, 819-826; 15 ref.

Leaf meals of cassava and siam weed (Eupatorium odoratum) prepared by milling sun-dried leaves, were analysed for proximate constituents, mineral and amino acid content. Broiler chicken assays were used to estimate availability of minerals and amino acids in the leaf meals. Protein content was higher in cassava leaf meal than in Eupatorium leaf meal (21.39 vs. 17.53%). Similarly, potassium (16 300 vs. 13 880 mg/kg), calcium (12 300 vs. 11 551 mg/kg) and zinc content (119 vs. 52 mg/kg) were higher in cassava leaf meal than in Eupatorium leaf meal which had a higher content of phosphorus (4352 vs. 3104 mg/kg), magnesium (3202 vs. 2612 mg/kg), copper (37 vs. 11 mg/kg), manganese (71 vs. 46 mg/kg) and iron (79 vs. 69 mg/kg). Mineral availability was average in both meals but slightly higher in cassava leaf meal than in Eupatorium leaf meal (53.7 vs. 47.9%). Cystine and methionine contents were low, and lysine content moderate in both leaf meals. The sulphur amino acids might be the limiting amino acids in these leaf meals. Amino acid availability was low in Eupatorium leaf meal and only moderately high in cassava leaf meal (65.4 vs. 77.8%).