PHYTOCHEMICALS COMPOSITION OF GUINEA GRASS LEAF MEAL COLLECTED FROM THREE DIFFERENT LOCATIONS IN BENIN CITY

Unlocking Location-Specific Bioactivity: Profound Phytochemical Variations in Guinea Grass (Megathyrsus maximus) Across Benin City Signal New Frontiers in Precision Animal Nutrition. The shift toward sustainable livestock production demands innovative strategies that leverage natural forage bioactivity as alternatives to conventional supplements. This groundbreaking study addresses a critical knowledge gap by mapping the phytochemical diversity of Guinea grass (Megathyrsus maximus), a vital tropical forage, across three distinct locations in Benin City, Nigeria. Through rigorous analysis of leaf samples from Ekehuan, University of Benin, and Ekosodin, we quantified key secondary metabolites-alkaloids, saponins, tannins, and phenol-that define the forage's functional properties. Our results demonstrate dramatic location-dependent variations in phytochemical composition. Ekosodin-derived grass emerged as exceptionally bioactive, containing substantially elevated levels of alkaloids (12.500 mg/100g), saponins (9.800 mg/100g), tannins (5.457 mg/100g), and phenols (4.200 mg/100g)-significantly surpassing concentrations found in other sampling sites. This establishes a clear geochemical signature that directly links environmental factors to forage quality. The implications are transformative: geography dictates bioactivity. The superior phytochemical profile of Ekosodin Guinea grass positions it as a powerful natural supplement capable of enhancing protein utilization, reducing methane emissions, and strengthening animal antioxidant defenses. However, this potency requires careful management, as high concentrations of certain compounds necessitate strategic inclusion rates to balance benefits against potential antinutritional effects. This research provides the scientific foundation for precision forage management, enabling livestock producers to strategically select and utilize Guinea grass based on its verified phytochemical profile. Our findings pioneer a new approach to tropical forage utilization, transforming Guinea grass from a conventional feed into a targeted nutritional tool that promises to revolutionize sustainable livestock production practices throughout West Africa. Megathyrsus maximus, Bioactive Compounds, Phytochemical Geography, Sustainable Livestock Production, Precision Nutrition, Forage Optimization, Natural Supplementation, Agricultural Sustainability.