This study was carried out to analyze the nutritional, phytochemical composition and antioxidant activity of three agricultural wastes (Melon husk, moringa pod and mango endocarp).
The proximate parameters of the samples were determined using the standard analytical method of Association of Official Analytical Chemists. The antioxidant activity was determined by the radical scavenging activity of the methanol extract of samples against DPPH (Sigma Aldrich) by UV-Visible Spectrophotometer at 517 nm.
The results revealed that the three samples are high in crude fibre: 51.61% (melon seed husk), 58.10% (moringa pod) and 49.47% (mango endocarp). The crude protein content of the samples ranged from 3.45% to 12.22%. The mineral analysis showed that melon seed husk contains; Ca (14.94mg/kg), Mg (52.26mg/kg), Fe (21.2mg/kg), P (106.7mg/kg), Zn (0.70mg/kg); moringa pod contains Ca (243.95mg/kg), Mg (61.44mg/kg), Fe (3.60mg/kg), P (33.75mg/kg), Zn (0.35mg/kg); mango endocarp; Ca(6.14mg/kg), Mg (13.00mg/kg), P (24.25mg/kg), Zn (0.17mg/kg). Phytochemical screening of the three samples showed small amount of antinutrient like saponin, oxalate, flavonoid etc. The results obtained from this study indicate that the agricultural wastes may serve as energy and mineral supplier and thus may be utilized as a potential feed ingredient in livestock feed, coupled with their low antinutrient content.
Key words: Melon husk, moringa pod, mango endocarp, Nutritional, Antioxidant
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