DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL SCIENCE

The study investigated the chemical composition of chitin and chitosan fed diets, and their effects on goat’s neutral detergent fiber (NDF) digestibility. Twelve (12) West African Dwarf goats were randomly assigned to six dietary treatments (control, chitin at 3% and 6%, chitosan at 0.5% and 1%, and 0.01% oxytetracycline), alongside guinea grass at a ratio of 50:50. Chitin and chitosan were extracted using chemical processes involving demineralization, deproteinization, and deacetylation, while diets chemical compositions were analyzed, The NDF value (%) range from 25.00 to 93% with control and 6% chitin having the least and highest values respectively and were significantly different (P<0.05) from each other. Results showed significant differences (P<0.05) in NDF intake and digestibility across treatments were not significantly different. The study concludes that chitin and chitosan from snail shells had no negative influence on NDF intake and digestibility. This approach offers a sustainable and value-added use of snail shell waste in animal nutrition

Snail farming also knows as Heliciculture excels under specific micro environment which include appropriate ranges for humidity, temperature, light intensity and CO2 levels. Environmental fluctuations in open fields has been seen to reduce yield and productivity and the need to be able to control environmental conditions brought about the use of screenhouse. This study is based on the evaluation of growth performance and response to environmental variables of crops in which some selected crops; Banana (Musa spp), Cocoyam (Colocasia esculenta), Sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas), Water leaf (Talinum triangulare) and Pawpaw (Carica papaya) were used. The goal was to determine how crops response to controlled environment conditions and determine their suitability for snails. Environmental variables was duly observed, data collections was carried on morphological yield and quality in which results obtained showed positive development in all crops and determined that the screenhouse is effective for both crops and snails under controlled environmental conditions.

Toll-like receptors are pattern recognition receptors with which hosts recognize pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). This recognition process is translated rapidly into a meaningful defense reaction. This form of inborn host defense is preserved in animals. Both adaptive and innate immune systems are inter-related in that the adaptive immune system also depends on an intact innate recognition and response system. This study was carried out at University of Benin farm project, to investigate the expression of toll like receptor 2 gene in rabbit. A total of 40 adult rabbits, 5 months and above of both sex (male and female) consisting of 3 breeds (Hyla, New Zealand and Dutch) were used for this experiment. The animals were fed concentrate, forage and a mixture of concentrates and forage. Routine management was carried out. Blood samples were collected and sent to Inqaba Biotechnology West Africa Ltd. Ibadan, Oyo State for DNA extraction and identification of RNA expression. Results are being awaited.

This study investigated the extraction and evaluation of Leaf Protein Concentrate (LPC) produced from Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) leaves using three processing techniques: Heat Coagulation, Alum Precipitation and Acid Coagulation. The research aimed to compare the effects of these extraction methods on the Physical characteristics, Proximate composition, Mineral profile and Phytochemical constituents of the resulting concentrates. Standard laboratory procedures were employed for all analyses. The LPCs obtained from the three methods were dark green when fresh but turned blackish upon drying, indicating chlorophyll degradation during processing. Among the extraction techniques, the Acid Coagulation method yielded the highest Crude Protein value (33.84%), demonstrating its superior efficiency in protein recovery. Alum Precipitation recorded the highest Ash (7.50%) and Crude Fibre (13.33%) contents, suggesting higher mineral and structural residue retention. Heat Coagulation produced the highest Ether Extract (38.33%) and maintained better mineral preservation. Potassium was the most abundant mineral detected, with the highest concentration (231.67 mg/kg) observed in the Heat-treated LPC, while sodium recorded the least concentration (0.01 mg/kg). Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of several bioactive compounds including flavonoids, phenols, alkaloids, steroids, tannins, saponins, terpenoids, coumarins and cardiac glycosides in varying concentrations across treatments. These bioactive components indicate potential antioxidant, antimicrobial and functional benefits. Based on the findings, the Acid Coagulation technique is most effective for enhancing protein recovery from Oil Palm leaves, while Heat Coagulation is more suitable for retaining lipid and mineral components. Overall, Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) Leaf Protein Concentrate presents a promising, low-cost and underutilized source of plant protein and minerals for animal feed formulation and other nutritional applications.

This study was conducted to determine and compare some of the mineral composition of Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus) leaf meal obtained from three locations within Benin City, Nigeria, and to evaluate the subsequent implications for livestock nutrition and feed safety. Fresh Guinea grass leaves were collected from Ekenwan, Ekosodin and Uniben, representing a gradient of land use intensity. The samples were processed, sun-dried, and milled into a fine powder. Subsequent laboratory analysis utilized Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry (AAS), Flame Photometry, and spectrophotometric methods to quantify the concentrations of macro-minerals (Calcium, Magnesium, Potassium, Sodium, Phosphorus), essential trace minerals (Iron, Zinc, Manganese), and heavy metals (Chromium, Lead). The results revealed statistically significant variations (p < 0.05) in the mineral content across the three locations. The Uniben location exhibited the highest concentrations of Potassium (331.3 mg/kg), Magnesium (115.2 mg/kg), and Iron (28.1 mg/kg), while Ekehuan recorded the highest Phosphorus content (345.0 mg/kg). However, Uniben and Ekosodin locations also showed elevated levels of heavy metals, with Lead concentrations of 0.30 mg/kg and 0.25 mg/kg respectively, and Chromium levels of 0.50 mg/kg and 0.40 mg/kg respectively. Ekehuan location had the lowest heavy metal contamination but showed deficiencies in some essential minerals. Research indicates that the mineral content of Guinea grass in Benin City varies significantly by location. This means forage from some sites offers nutritional benefits but also carries a risk of heavy metal contamination for grazing animals. Consequently, the study advises avoiding harvests in urban and high-traffic zones and calls for feeding strategies that include location-specific mineral supplementation to safeguard livestock.

This study investigated the proximate composition and phytochemical content of five economically important legume seeds: Soya Bean (SB), Faba Bean (FB), Black Gram (BG), Jack Bean (JB), White Bean (WB), and Velvet Bean (VB), to assess their nutritional quality and suitability for food and feed applications. Standard procedures were used to determine moisture, crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), crude fibre (CF), ash, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE). Phytochemical screening included the quantification of total phenolics, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, oxalate, and phytate. Results of the proximate analysis showed that Soya Bean was the most nutritionally dense sample, recording the highest Crude Protein ($42.0\%$) and Ether Extract ($15.68\%$). Conversely, Black Gram was identified as the highest energy source, dominated by Nitrogen-Free Extract ($62.04\%$). Phytochemical analysis revealed a critical trade-off: Jack Bean had the highest levels of beneficial antioxidants (Phenolics and Flavonoids) but also the highest concentration of the anti-nutritional factor (ANF) Phytate ($2593.3$ mg/100 mg). Soya Bean, despite its protein superiority, exhibited alarmingly high Oxalate content ($1791.1$ mg/100 g). In contrast, Velvet Bean presented the lowest overall concentration of key ANFs (Phytate and Oxalate), suggesting better mineral bioavailability. The study concludes that while SB and JB offer superior macronutrient and antioxidant profiles, their utilization requires mandatory processing techniques (such as soaking and fermentation) to mitigate the adverse effects of high anti-nutritional factors and ensure optimal nutrient absorption and safety in human and animal diets.

The study was conducted to evaluate the performance of weaner rabbits fed diets containing Guinea Grass Leaf Meal (GGLM) as a replacement for soybean meal. The experiment aimed to determine the effects of substituting soybean meal with varying levels of GGLM on growth performance, feed intake, feed conversion efficiency, and protein utilization in weaner rabbits. A total of twenty (20) weaner rabbits of mixed breeds, aged between 6–8 weeks and averaging 820 g in weight, were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments containing 0%, 10%, 20%, and 30% GGLM, respectively. Each treatment was replicated thrice with two rabbits per replicate in a completely randomized design (CRD). Diet 1 (0%) served as the control with soybean meal as the primary protein source, while soybean meal was progressively replaced with GGLM at 10%, 20%, and 30% in diets 2, 3, and 4 respectively. Data were collected on average initial and final live weight, weekly feed intake, weekly weight gain, weekly protein intake, feed conversion ratio, and protein efficiency ratio. The results indicated that the inclusion of GGLM had significant (p<0.05) effects on the performance parameters of the weaner rabbits. Average final live weight decreased slightly with increasing inclusion of GGLM, ranging from 1628.40 g in the control to 1528.80 g at 30% inclusion, while weekly feed intake and weekly weight gain followed a
similar trend, decreasing as GGLM levels increased. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) improved at moderate inclusion (20%), indicating better feed utilization at that level, while the protein efficiency ratio (PER) was highest at 20% inclusion, suggesting that
rabbits efficiently utilized dietary protein at moderate levels of GGLM replacement. However, at 30% inclusion, performance declined, possibly due to increased fiber content and reduced digestibility of the diet.

This study explored the development, sensory qualities, and nutritional composition of indigenous smoked beef sausages made with Iru (fermented locust beans) and Evbharie (fermented melon) as natural flavoring agents. The research aimed to evaluate the effect of these local condiments on the sensory characteristics and proximate composition of beef sausage, serving as substitutes for common synthetic additives such as sugar and nitrite. Fresh beef (2.3 kg) was procured from New Benin Market, Benin City, Nigeria, and processed in the Food Science and Technology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin. The meat was washed, minced, and divided into ten treatments with varying levels of Iru and Evbharie: T1 (1% Iru), T2 (2% Iru), T3 (3% Iru), T4 (1% Iru + 0.5% Evbharie), T5 (0.5% Iru + 1% Evbharie), T6 (1%Iru + 1% Evbharie), T7 (1% Evbharie), T8 (2% Evbharie), T9 (3% Evbharie), and T10 (control with sugar, salt, pepper, garlic, onion, ginger, and thyme). Goat intestines served as casings, preserved in saline solution, and the sausages were smoked for about one hour to produce intermediate-moisture meat. A sensory evaluation was conducted with thirty semi-trained panelists using a five-point hedonic scale (5 = Excellent, 1 = Poor). Attributes assessed were appearance, aroma, flavor, texture, juiciness, and overall acceptability. Proximate composition was analyzed according to AOAC (2019) methods to determine moisture, protein, fat, ash, and crude fiber contents. Results showed that the inclusion of Iru and Evbharie affected the sensory properties of the smoked beef sausage. Samples containing both condiments were generally preferred, with Treatment 6 (1% Iru + 1% Evbharie) achieving the highest appearance (22 votes) and aroma (15 votes). The control (T10) scored best in flavor (26 votes), texture (25 votes), juiciness (27 votes), and overall acceptability (29 votes). Although traditional condiments produced unique flavor 11 and aroma profiles, consumers still showed familiarity-based preference for the conventional seasoning. Proximate analysis indicated that sausages containing Iru had slightly higher protein values due to its leguminous origin, while Evbharie contributed to higher fat and fiber content. Moisture levels were moderate, confirming the sausages as intermediate-moisture meat products with good storage potential. The exclusion of nitrite eliminated cured color formation but improved the natural safety profile of the sausage. In conclusion, the study established that Iru and Evbharie can be successfully used as indigenous seasonings in sausage production without significantly compromising nutritional or sensory quality. Among all treatments, T6 (1% Iru +1% Evbharie) offered the most balanced attributes. This research provides insight into the potential of local condiments as natural, health-conscious alternatives to chemical additives, supporting the development of culturally acceptable and nutritionally rich meat products. It further emphasizes the value of integrating indigenous food resources into Nigeria’s modern meat processing industry for
sustainable product innovation.

Scent leaf is a common vegetable and spice in the diet of most Nigerians, cherished as a result of its contribution to health and sensory qualities. However, its safety is usually compromised especially because it is usually consumed raw or slightly cooked. Hence, this study was conducted to determine its microbiological quality. Samples of scent leaf (9) were randomly purchased from New Benin, Oba and Uselu markets in Benin. Each
sample was divided into 2- one group was washed with sterile distilled water and the other group was left unwashed and they were blended to aid homogenization. Samples
were analyzed for bacteria and yeasts using conventional plate culture procedures. This
was followed by the characterization of bacterial and fungal isolates using cultural and
biochemical characteristics. The identity of isolates were confirmed using Polymerase
Chain Reaction (PCR). The mean bacteria count (log10 cfu/g) across the three markets
for the unwashed samples was 2.30 while that of the washed was 1.92. For fungi, the
mean count in the unwashed scent leaf was 1.67 while that of the washed samples was
1.20. Statistically, there was a significant difference (P<0.05) in bacteria counts (log10
cfu/g) between the unwashed (2.27, 2.28 and 2.34) and washed scent leaves (1.96, 1.86
and 1.96) for New Benin, Oba and Uselu markets respectively. Significant differences
(P<0.05) were also recorded in fungal counts (log10 cfu/g) between the raw scent leaves (1.71, 1.66 and 1.63) and washed samples (1.25, 1.18 and 1.16) obtained from New Benin, Oba and Uselu markets respectively. Also, the bacteria count across the markets was always higher than the fungal count; an indication of more bacterial contamination. The bacteria isolated from the scent leaf samples were identified and was found to be Enterobacter aerogenes, Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Bacillus cereus, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. PCR tests was carried out and
confirmed the identity of three of the isolates specifically as Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Thaumatococcus daniellii, commonly known as the miracle plant or sweet prayer plant, is widely used in Nigeria for wrapping traditional foods such as rice, moi-moi and agidi, leading to the generation of substantial leaf waste. The discarded leaves, if properly analysed for nutrient could serve as a potential resource for animal feed formulation, organic fertilizer, or biodegradable packaging materials. Therefore this study aimed to investigate the proximate and mineral composition of Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf wastes collected from rice and moi-moi wrapping in Benin City, Nigeria. Fresh leaf wastes were collected, air-dried, milled, and analyzed for proximate and mineral compositions using standard analytical procedures. The proximate analysis revealed appreciable levels of crude protein (18-23%), crude fibre (21-26%), and carbohydrate (28-34%), with moderate lipid and ash contents (6.67-6.83%). The mineral analysis showed significant amounts of essential nutrients such as Calcium (3.313_4.168mg/kg), Potassium (0.129_0.008 mg/kg), magnesium (1.737_0.019 mg/kg), phosphorus (2.263_0.147 mg/kg) and iron (0.270_0.215 mg/kg). These findings indicate that the leaf wastes from rice and moi-moi wrapping are rich in proximate and mineral nutrients that can support both nutritional application for livestock. The study concludes that Thaumatococcus daniellii leaf wastes, often considered agricultural waste could be
explored as an alternative raw material in feed production. This would not only promote environmental sustainability but also enhance economic value through waste resource utilization.