Comparision of Nutrient Profile of Azolla microphylla with Other Proteinaceous Feedstuffs

The objective of the present experiment was to compare the chemical composition of Azolla microphylla with some proteinaceous feeds viz. berseem (Egyptian clover; Trifolium alexandrinum), cowpea (Vigna unguiculata) and mustard (Brassica compestris var. sarson) cake. The effect of drying and storage of Azolla on its chemical composition was also studied. The mean content of CF, EE, total ash, AIA, NFE, NDF, aNDF, ADF, ADL, cellulose and hemicellulose in Azolla microphylla were 12.45±0.37, 4.12±0.19, 20.21±0.40, 4.02±0.29, 37.57±0.34, 46.89±0.76, 42.31±0.76, 33.81±0.64, 10.11±0.59, 16.02±1.2 and 12.3±0.87% of DM, respectively. Different drying procedures and storage time did not affect proximate composition. Azolla contained more CP and EE than berseem and cowpea but values were lower than mustard oil cake. The levels of CF, NDF, aNDF, cellulose and hemicelluloses were lower in Azolla than berseem and cowpea. The levels of protein fractions (% of CP) B₃ and C were higher (P<0.05) while those of A+B₁ and B₂ were lower in A. microphylla compared to those in berseem, cowpea and mustard cake.