Nig. J. Anim. Prod. 2018, 45(5):92 - 99 Nigerian Journal of Animal Production © Nigerian Society for Animal Production Proximate composition and phytochemical screening of coffee weed ( occidentalis ) leaves as phytobiotic additive in poultry diets Omoikhoje, S. O., Obasoyo, D. O., Okosun, S. E., Uwaya, J. I., Adamu, I. A. and Idahor, E. F. Department of Animal Science, Ambrose Alli University, P.M.B 14, Ekpoma, Edo State, Nigeria. Corresponding author: [email protected], Abstract [email protected] The proximate and phytochemical screening of Senna occidentalis were carried out to assess some nutrients and phytobiotic properties of the leaves. The fresh leaves were thoroughly rinsed, sparsely spread on jute mat and dried at room temperature for 6 – 7 days until they became crispy, thereafter they were milled and subjected to proximate and phytochemical analyses. Data showed that the leaves had low moisture (9.35 9.35%), high crude protein (21.88 21.88%), crude fibre, crude fat, ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE) , of 19.72, 16.88, 9.70 and 22.47% respectively. The phytochemicals positively present were cardiac glycosides, phenols, flavols, flavonols and alkaloids, while saponnins were largely present. From the results, Senna occidentalis leaf meal can be a potential source of vegetable protein and some vital mineral elements as supplements to poultry feeds. Besides, the high levels of antioxidants and antimicrobial agents present in the sample which are known to promote growth by enhancing nutrient utilization, repair of worn out tissues and disease control could make Senna occidentalis leaves worthy of being a phytobiotic additive in poultry diets. Keywords: Coffee weed, proximate, phytochemical, phytobiotic additive.

Introduction and curb the losses due to disease Poultry production especially the infestations in livestock, producers have production of broiler chickens offers the resorted to the use of antimicrobials to greatest scope for increasing the quality and inhibit the growth of disease causing quantity of protein intake in Nigeria organisms and as growth promoters. It is because of the short generation interval and a c k n o w l e d g e d t h a t t h e u s e o f prolificacy. It is also regarded as a means of antimicrobials is one of the most successful sustainable livelihood and a way of chemotherapies against disease causing achieving a certain level of economic organisms (Guyue et al., 2014). Various independence. Consequent upon this, antimicrobials have made significant Akinmutimi (2006) noted that nutrition contributions to the prevention, control and account for over 70% recurrent cost in treatment of infectious diseases in animals broiler chicken production but the major since 1940s (Forman and Burch, 1947). The problem militating against the poultry presence of antimicrobial resistant, non- industry generally is the competition pathogenic commensal bacteria in farms between man and livestock for available are considered a problem, as it provides a feed resources, losses due to disease pool of transferable resistance genes (De infestations and high or increasing cost of Francesco et al., 2004). Besides, there is the these feeds and feed ingredients (Niassy problem of residual effects of drugs on and Ekesi, 2016). animal products as well as high cost of the In order to improve livestock production drugs and coverage area. However,

92 Coffee weed leaves as phytobiotic additive available evidence indicated that syndrella weed (Syndrella modifera), scent indigenous health practices including leaf (Occinum grattisimum), bitter leaf medicinal are still being used to (Veronia amygdalina), neem (Azadirachta handle animal health problems in all indica), moringa leaf (Moringa oleifera), livestock production systems (Maeda- aloe vera (Aloe barbedensis) coffee weed Machangu et al., 1997). Since drugs and (Senna occidentalis) to mention but a few. antibiotics are used in poultry feed to Coffee weed (Senna occidentalis) L. (Syn: maximize the efficiency of production, occidentalis.) is a small shrub of product quality and control of diseases, about 5-8m high which belongs to the plants and extracts from herbs and family leguminosae. It is indigenous to the spices which are known to have medicinal tropical regions of America and naturalized properties can be used as alternatives to in Australia, east Africa, southern and control diseases and improve feed eastern USA. Its seeds found in long pods efficiency. This is because they are known are sometimes roasted and made into a to contain bioactive compounds like coffee-like beverage (Taylor, 2005). The tannins, saponins, alkaloids etc that have plant had been used as a natural medicine in inhibitory activities against disease causing the rain forest and other tropical areas for organisms. Plant derived natural products centuries and its roots, leaves, flowers and represent an attractive source of seeds have been employed in herbal antimicrobial agents since they are natural, medicine around the world (Sambasivam et have manageable side effects and are al., 2016). Senna occidentalis is regarded as available at affordable prices. Many of an edible weed of agriculture. This plant is these plants extract have also been used as widely consumed by local people as a feed additives and have been proven to coffee substitute. The seeds are brewed into improve gut integrity of monogastric a coffee like breverage for asthma and a animals. However, research efforts by flower infusion is used to treat bronchitis nutritionists have been geared towards the (Babitha, 2011). The roots are considered as search for plant materials and their tonic and diuretic; they are also used for derivatives as natural antibiotics in animal menstrual problems, tuberculosis, anaemia feeds. Meanwhile, a wide range of drugs and liver complaints and as a tonic for have been employed in the management of general weakness and illness (Arya, 2011). hypatic disorders in livestock but The leaves are used in gonorrhoea, fever, alternative approaches from the traditional urinary tract disorder and edema (Yadav, medical systems have become increasingly 2010). Senna occidentalis extract is used to popular in recent years (Stickel and cure eye inflammations. It is also used for Schuppan, 2007). Odoemelan (2013) curing diarrhoea, dysentery, constipation, reported that up to one-third of all fever, eczema and venereal diseases. Senna commercial swine and chicken rations in occidentalis had been found to possess Europe now use mixtures of herbs and significant antibacterial, antifungal and spices to accelerate growth and maintain diuretic properties. Sreejith et al. (2010) health. Some of these herbs and spices suggested the potentials of S. Occidentalis indigenous to Africa enhance nutrient for the treatment of allergic and utilization and performance of broiler inflammatory diseases. From the foregoing, chickens (Windisch, et al., 2008). the present experiment was conducted to Examples of these herbs and spices include: evaluate the proximate and phytochemical siam weed (Chromolena odorata), constituents of coffee weed leaves with a

93 Omoikhoje, Obasoyo, Okosun, Uwaya, Adamu and Idahor view to assessing its potential benefits as performed on the extracts from the leaf meal phytobiotic additive in poultry nutrition. using standard procedures (Odebiyi and Sofowora, 1978; Trease and Evans, 1989; Materials and methods Sofowora, 1993) (Odebiyi and Sofowora, Experimental location and climate 1978; Trease and Evans, 1989). The experiment was carried out at the Test for glycosides Poultry Unit of the Teaching and Research One millilitre (1 ml) of the leaf extract was Farm, Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma. dissolved in 1ml of glacial acetic acid The farm lies between latitude 6.44N and containing one drop of ferric chloride longitude 6.80E in Esan West Local solution. This was under-layered with 1ml Government Area, Ekpoma, Edo State, of conc. H2SO4 and the appearance of a Nigeria. Ekpoma is within the South – brown ring indicated the presence of South geo-political zone of Nigeria and has glycosides. a prevailing tropical climate with a mean Test for saponins rainfall of about 1556mm. The mean The leaf extract of 0.5g was shaken with o ambient temperature ranges from 26 C in water in a test tube and was observed for o December to 34 C in February, relative frothing, while saponin rein weiss supplied humidity ranges from 61% in January to by Merck was used as standard. 92% in August with yearly average of about Test for flavanoids 82%. The vegetation represents an interface A quantity (2ml) of the leaf extract was between the tropical rainforest and derived boiled in 10ml of distilled water and savannah. filtered. The filtrate was divided into two Source and processing of fresh coffee different portions A and B of 5ml each. To weed leaves portion A, 10% Lead acetate solution was Fresh coffee weed (Senna occidentalis) added in few drops and the presence of a leaves were purchased from Ekpoma main yellowish precipitate indicated a positive market in Esan West Local Government result. While, 5ml of 20% NaoH and few Area, Edo State, Nigeria. The fresh leaves drops of dilute Hcl were added to portion B, were thoroughly rinsed, sparsely spread on the formation of colourless solution jute mat and dried at room temperature for 6 indicated a positive test. – 7 days until they became crispy. The Test for phenolic compounds leaves were turned regularly to avoid The leaf extract (1ml) was added to 5mlml uneven drying and decay to ensure that the of 90% ethanol plus one drop of 10% FeCl3, greenish colour of the leaves was a pale yellow colouration indicated a maintained. Thereafter, dried crispy leaves positive test. were hammer milled through a 2mm sieve Test for alkaloids and stored in airtight containers to avoid the Dragendoff Wagner's reagent and Picric absorption of moisture till they were used acid were used to test for alkaloids. About 1 for laboratory analyses. ml each of the leaf extract was transferred Proximate analysis into three labelled test tubes A, B and C. To The proximate composition of the leaf meal portion A, 2ml of Dragendoff's reagent were determined in triplicates according to (made up of a mixture of Potassium the standard procedures of AOAC (1990). Bismuth Iodide salt) was added. The Phytochemical screening of Senna presence of a reddish brown precipitate occidentalis leaves indicated a positive test. To portions B and The phytochemical screening was was C, 2 mls each of Wagner's reagent and Picric

94 Coffee weed leaves as phytobiotic additive acid were respectively added and the room temperature. This will perhaps presence of reddish brown and yellowish increase the relative concentration of the precipitates indicated positive tests. nutrients and improve the shelf life of the meal (Ikewudi and Catherine, 2009). The Results and discussion 21.88% crude protein content of the sample The proximate components of the leaf meal suggests that the leaves can serve as source as shown in Table 1 indicated 9.35, 21.88, of protein in livestock feed if dried. 19.72, 16.88, 9.70 and 22.47% of moisture However, this value was higher than that of content, crude protein, crude fibre, crude Senna occidentalis seed meal (19.92%) and fat, ash and nitrogen free extract (NFE), Boerhavia diffusa (21.35%) but compared respectively. The low moisture content of favourably with that of the sample implied that the leaf meal can be seed meal (21.89%) as reported by preserved for a long period after drying at Augustine et al. (2014) and Wuanor et al. (2012).

Table 1: Proximate composition of Senna occidentalis leaves Component Quantity (%) Moisture 9.35 Crude protein 21.88 Crude fibre 19.72 Crude fat 16.88 Ash 9.70 Nitrogen free extract 22.47

The crude protein values of 28.44, 29.54 18.52 and 12.45% for Senna occidentalis and 30.40% recorded for Amaranthus and Senna obtusifolia seed meals, spinosis (Carew et al., 2012), Senna respectively (Augustine et al., 2014). The obtusifolia (Ingweye et al., 2010) and crude fat (16.88%) was higher than 3.57, Momordia charantia (Sese et al., 2012), 4.33, 3.57, 2.45, 10.78 and 12.45%, respectively were higher than the value respectively recorded for Boerhavia obtained in the present study. Meanwhile, diffusa, Tridax procumbens, Amaranthus the crude protein value recorded in this spinosis, Momordia charantia, Senna study was within the ranges of values for occidentalis and Senna obtusifolia seed other wild legumes (Pugalenthi et al., 2004; meals (Carew et al., 1989; Sese et al., 2012; Pugalpenthi et al., 2007). Although, the Wuanor et al., 2012; Augustine et al., 2014). crude fibre (19.72%) was low compared to Ash content (9.70%) of Senna occidentalis that of Tridax procumbens (27.67%) but leaf meal was lower than those of B. Diffusa can still be of advantage in enhancing the (14.30%), T. Procumbens (14.00%) and A. bioavailability of the proximate Spinosis (15.50%) but higher than those of components to animals feeding on it and not Senna occidentalis (4.16%) and Senna bound up in indigestible fibre. In addition, obtusifolia (4.33%) seed meals recorded by high fibre foods are also known to support Augustine et al. (2014). This is reflective of bowel regularity, maintain normal the fact that Senna occidentalis leaf meal is cholesterol and blood sugar levels, reduce a potential source of high amount of some constipation and used for the prevention of dietary minerals (Awasthi and Verma, heart diseases and some types of cancer 2007). The NFE was estimated to be (WHO, 2008). The value obtained in the 22.47% and was lower than 38.21% present study was however higher than reported by Seriki et al. (2017) for water

95 Omoikhoje, Obasoyo, Okosun, Uwaya, Adamu and Idahor

lettuce (Pistia stratiotes). (Naczk and Shahidi, 2004). Besides, a high The phytochemical screening of Senna positive correlation between total phenols occidentalis leaf meal revealed the and antioxidant activity in sorghum grains presence of cardiac glycosides, saponins, have been reported by Guajardo-Flores et phenols, flavols, flavonols and alkaloids al. (2006) which suggested that the (Table 2). The presence of the cardiac antioxidant activity was contributed by the glycosides is an indication that when phenolic compounds. Flavols and flavonols animals feed on the leaf, it will serve as are flavonoids which are present in the plant source of heat and energy to their system, and are antioxidants as well as add bulkiness to their bowels, assist in the antimicrobial agents against a wide range of complete oxidation of fats and form microorganisms by inhibiting their components of DNA. Saponins which are membrane bound enzymes (Chowen, steroid or interpenoid glycosides 1999). While, mentholated flavonoids are characterised by their bitter or astringent incomplete protein of plant origin in taste, foaming properties and their vegetables, cereals and legumes and are haemolytic effect on red blood cells were among the essential amino acids that cannot largely found in the sample. Meanwhile, the be synthesised by the body and therefore consumption of saponins have been must be present in protein food consumed. e n c o u r a g e d b e c a u s e o f t h e i r Thus, flavonoids promote growth, repair of hypocholesterolemic activity (Oakenful worn out tissues, serve as source of energy and Sidhu, 1989). Generally, phenols are in the absence of carbohydrates and fats, any compound containing a benzene ring build hormones that assist in the regulation with one or more hyroxy (OH-) group such of body processes and build antibodies that as phenolic acids, flavonoids, condensed fight infections and diseases (Idris et al., tannins, coumarins, alkyl resorcinols etc. 2017). The presence of alkaloids in this They impart taste, odour, colour and plant is worthy of note because of their oxidative stability in plant based foods protective metabolic roles.

Ta ble 2: Ph ytochemi cal screen ing of Se nna occid entalis le aves Param eters Re sults Cardiac glycosides + Saponins ++ Phenols + Flavols + Flavonols +

Alkaloids +

Key: + = Present, ++ = Largely present

Conclusion agents that could promote growth by It is crystal clear from the proximate enhancing nutrient utilization, repair of analyses that Senna occidentalis leaf meal worn out tissues and disease control is also can be a potential source of vegetable worthy of note. The use of the leaf meal and protein and vital mineral elements as its extracts in livestock feeding particularly supplements to poultry feeds. The high monogastrics to evaluate their biological levels of antioxidants and antimicrobial and medicinal values is recommended.

96 Coffee weed leaves as phytobiotic additive

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