LAUSR

Abstract The chemical composition, tannins level, mineral profile, fatty acids profile and amino acids profile of whole Prosopis pods meal (WPPM) were determined. In addition, apparent energy metabolisability (AEM) and true energy metabolisability (TEM) and apparent (AAAD) and true (TAAD) amino acids digestibility were determined via a precision-feeding assay. Protein quality was also determined via a total protein efficiency assay. The tannins content of WPPM was 42.8 mg/g dry matter. WPPM showed 15.2% crude protein, 2.61% ether extract, 18.58% crude fibre and 6.04% ash, with 5.44 and 7.57 MJ/kg AEM and TEM, respectively. The WPPM contained 0.66% Ca, 0.20% P, 764 ppm Fe, 69.4 ppm Zn, 33.9 ppm Mn, 36.1 ppm Cu, 21.7 ppm Cr, 7.4 ppm Cd, 9.8 ppm Ni and 28.2 ppm Pb. The WPPM showed 92.54% total fatty acids, of which 25.33% were saturated fatty acids and 67.21% unsaturated fatty acids; of the latter, 37.83% were monounsaturated and 29.37% polyunsaturated. Threonine, valine, methionine, isoleucine, leucine, phenylalanine, histidine, lysine, arginine and tryptophan levels were 0.47, 0.67, 0.12, 0.54, 1.03, 0.40, 0.20, 0.46, 0.67 and 0.44%, respectively. Therefore, WPPM can meet 1.08% of the total amino acids requirements of broiler chickens from 1 to 21 days of age. The AAAD and TAAD of the WPPM were 34.9 and 65.0%, respectively. The protein quality of WPPM was 23.4% lower than that of soybean meal. In conclusion, WPPM contains a considerable amount of energy and nutrients (protein, minerals, fatty acids and amino acids), but its protein quality is lower than that of soybean meal.