A review of implications of antiquality and toxic components in unconventional feedstuffs advocated for use in intensive animal production in Nigeria.

There are a number of unconventional feed resources in Nigeria. Most are rich sources of plant protein. Since protein is the most expensive and limiting nutrient in tropical livestock nutrition, these unconventional feed resources may fill a gap in protein deficiency. However, most contain antiquality and toxic components which make them unsafe as protein and carbohydrate sources in livestock nutrition. The presence of saponins, lectins, tannins, trypsin inhibitors, cyanogenic glucoside and others in African locust bean meal (Parkia filicoidea Welw), avocado seed meal (Persea americana), bambara groundnut meal (Voandzeia subterranea), cocoa by-product meal (Theobroma coca), coffee pulp meal (Coffee arabica), mango seed kernel meal (Mangifera indica), rubber seed meal (Hevea brasiliensis), sesame seed (Sesamum indicum L) and shear-butter cake (Vitellaria paradoxa, G) are not uncommon and make rations prepared with them unpalatable and unacceptable to animals. They also interfere with nutrient bioavailability and utilization. Drying, soaking, leaching and fermentation are simple means of detoxifying these feed sources to reduce the presence of antiquality and toxic components.