Nutrient Utilisation and Growth Production in Buffaloes and Cattle Fed Mahua (Bassia Latifolia) Seed Cake
Abstract
The effect of the saponin ‘mowrin’ extracted from mahua (Bassia latifolia) seed cake (MSC) on nutrient utilisation in buffalo bulls and on the feeding potential of MSC in actively growing male crossbred calves was studied, Mowrin was not found to effect the utilisation of nutrients and it appears to be broken down in the rumen. The CP utilisation in actively growing male crossbred calves fed MSC was significantly (P <0.05) lower. The body weight gain of such calves during the first 200 days of the study was significantly (P<0.05) lower than those given control ration. Contrary to this, when animals were offered silage instead of wheat bhoosa for another 200 days, there was no significant difference in the body gain of animals in different groups. The levels of Hb, alkaline phosphatase, SGPT and urea in the blood of animals fed MSC and control ration were not significantly different but the levels of acid phosphatase and SGOT in MSC fed animals were significantly (P<0.01) lower. MSC contained both hydrolysable and condensed tannins. The treatment of the MSC with NaOH (1 kg MSC/50 g NaOH) renders the condensed tannins soluble in water.
