EVALUATION OF WATERMELON SEED MEAL

Transcription

EVALUATION OF WATERMELON SEED MEAL
AS A FEED FOR POULTRY
By
HISHAM SALAH ELDIN SHAZALI AHMED
B.V.Sc. (1989)
M.Sc. (2001)
University of Khartoum
A thesis submitted in fullfillment of the requirements for the
degree of Doctor of Philosophy
Supervisor: Prof. El-Fadil Ahmed El-Zubeir
Faculty of Animal Production
University of Khartoum
2004
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated
To my family and
Dear parents
DEDICATION
This work is dedicated
To my family and
Dear parents
TABLE OF CONTENT
Page
Dedication i
Table of Content ii
List of Tables
Acknowledgement
v
vii
Abstract
viii
CHAPTER ONE: Introduction
CHAPTER TWO: Literature Review
2.1 Watermelon (Citrulus Lanatus Thumb) 3
2.1.1 Watermelon chemical composition
4
2.2 Utilization of watermelon 6
2.3 Proximate chemical composition of watermelon seed
7
2.3.1 Crude protein
7
2.3.2 Moisture content 8
2.3.3 Amino acids 9
2.3.4 Carbohydrate content 12
2.3.5 Ether extract
12
2.3.6 Fatty acids content
13
2.3.7 Crude fibre 15
2.3.8 Ash and minerals content
16
2.4 Lipoxygenase enzyme
16
2.5 Urease enzyme
17
2.6 Nutritional value and toxicity of watermelon seed meal 17
2.7 Watermelon seed oil as a feed for poultry 18
2.8 Watermelon seed/meal as a feed for layers 19
2.9 Nutritional value of full fat watermelon seed 19
2.10 Nutritional value of watermelon seed meal for chicks 20
2.11 Watermelon seed meal digestibility 21
1
3
CHAPTER THREE: General Materials and Methods
23
3.1 Experimental design and statistical analysis 23
3.2 Experimental diets 23
3.3 Ration formulation and the calculated composition
23
3.4 Experimental birds 23
3.5 Management and medication 28
3.6 Digestibility trial
28
CHAPTER FOUR: RESULTS 30
4.1 Chemical analysis of watermelon seed meal and fullfat
seed
(Experiment One)
30
4.1.1 Introduction30
4.1.2 Materials and methods 30
4.1.2.1 Proximate analysis
30
4.1.2.2 Amino acids determination 31
4.1.2.3 Minerals determination
39
4.1.3 Results and discussion 40
4.2 Digestibility Trial (Experiment Two) 43
4.2.2 Materials and Methods 43
4.2.2.1 Birds, housing and experiment conduct 43
4.2.2.2 Experimental diet
44
4.2.3 Results and discussion 44
4.3 Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on
Performance
of broiler chicks (Experiment Three) 47
4.3.3 Data statistical analysis 48
4.3.4 Results
48
4.3.5 Discussion 51
4.4 Effect of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance of broiler chicks (Experiment Four) 53
4.4.3 Data statistical analysis 54
4.4.4 Results
54
4.4.5 Discussion 57
4.5 Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on performance
of layers pullets (Experiment Five)
60
4.5.2.1 Housing 60
4.5.2.2 Experimental birds
61
4.5.2.3 Experimental diets
61
4.5.2.4 Management
62
4.5.2.5 Measurements 62
4.5.3 Results
63
4.5.4 Discussion 65
4.6 Effect of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance
of layer pullets (Experiment Six) 68
4.6.2.1 Birds, housing and experiment conduct 68
69
4.6.2.3 Measurements 69
4.6.3 Results
70
4.6.4 Discussion 72
CHAPTER FIVE: Economic Appraisal
75
CHAPTER SIX: General Discussion and Conclusions
81
6.1 General Discussion 81
6.2 Conclusions 83
REFERENCES 85
ABSTRACT (Arabic version)
LIST OF TABLES
Table
Title
Page
1
Amino acids content of melon seed, pumpkin seed
and soybean meals.
10
2
Comparative essential amino acids pattern of
watermelon seed, soybean meal and whole hen’s
egg.
11
3
Ration formulation and calculated composition.
(Experiment Three)
24
4
(Experiment Four)
25
5
(Experiment Five)
26
6
(Experiment Six)
27
7
8
Program for gradient elution
Composition of watermelon fullfat seed.
(on dry matter)
37
41
9
Composition of watermelon seed meal.
(on dry matter)
42
10
Proximate analysis of watermelon fullfat seed and
watermelon seed meal on dry matter basis.
45
11
Digestibility coefficients.
46
12
Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on
performance of broiler chicks.
49
13
Effects of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance of broiler chicks.
59
Table
Title
Page
14
Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on
performance of layer pullets.
67
15
Effects of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance of layer pullets.
74
16
Feed conversion and production cost of broiler
chicks fed graded levels of watermelon seed meal
during 6 weeks.
77
17
Feed conversion and production cost of broiler
chicks fed graded levels of watermelon fullfat seed
during 6 weeks.
78
18
Feed conversion and production cost of laying hens
fed graded levels of watermelon seed meal during
12 weeks.
79
19
Feed conversion and production cost of laying hens
fed graded levels of watermelon fullfat seed during
12 weeks.
80
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Praise be to Allah the almighty who gave me the health,
stamina and patience to execute this work.
It gives me great pleasure to express my deep appreciation to
my supervisor Prof. El-Fadil Ahmed El-Zubeir for his keen interest,
guidance and encouragement throughout this study.
I am extremely grateful to the staff and members of the Faculty
of Animal Production, Food Research Centre, Central Animal
Nutrition Research Laboratory Kuku. Khartoum North and WAFI
International B.V Holland and in particular their agent in Sudan Dr.
El-Sanousi.
In the course of this work, I received assistance and
encouragement from a number of people. Special thanks are due to
Dr. Fawzi and Dr. Ashraf.
I am grateful to all my friends and colleagues for their valuable
assistance. Special thanks are due to Omer Abdallah, Mohamed
A/Kariem and Hassan for their encouragement.
Last but not least my appreciations are due to my family for
their patience and encouragement during the course of this work.
ABSTRACT
Watermelon seed (corticated) was purchased from the local
market. One ton fullfat seed was ground in a hammer mill, and then
oil was extracted mechanically. Chemical analysis was performed.
The chemical analysis revealed that watermelon seed meal contains
25.1% Crude protein, 4.9% crude fat, 6.1% raw ash, 631 mg/kg
Calcium, 0.38% Phosphorus 0.94% Potassium, 430 mg/kg sodium,
0.66% lysine and 0.64% methionine. While watermelon fullfat seed
contains 20.1% crude protein, 25.6% crude fat, 2.4% ash, 355 mg/kg
Calcium, 0.33% Phosphorus, 55 mg/kg Sodium, 0.59% lysine and
0.52% methionine.
As the chemical analysis of watermelon seed suggests its use as
a feed ingredient for poultry. Then a series of experiments were
conducted to evaluate the nutritive value of watermelon seed for
broiler chicks and laying hens.
Inclusion of watermelon seed meal in broiler diets upto 10%or
watermelon fullfat seed up to 15% did not adversely affect broiler
growth.
Inclusion of watermelon seed meal in layers diets at (10 and
15%) reduced feed intake (P < 0.05) and increased hen-day, henhoused egg production and egg mass (P < 0.05). But no significant
effect (P > 0.05) on egg weight, shell thickness, albumin height and/or
shape index was observed.
Inclusion of graded levels of (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%) of
watermelon fullfat seed in layers diet had no significant effect
(P > 0.05) on feed conversion ratio, egg shell thickness, albumin
height and hen-housed egg production. However, a significant
increase in feed intake and hen-day egg production was recorded
at 20% level of inclusion.
From the results it appears that high (> 10%) levels of
watermelon seed meal or fullfat seed can be tolerated but low levels
(≤ 10%) would be most appropriate for broilers chicks and layer
pullets. Watermelon seed based diets need to be supplemented with
lysine and methionine.
‫ﺑﺴﻢ ﺍﷲ ﺍﻟﺮﲪﻦ ﺍﻟﺮﺣﻴﻢ‬
‫ﻣﻠﺨﺺ ﺍﻷﻃﺮﻭﺣﺔ‬
‫ﹼﰎ ﺍﳊﺼﻮﻝ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺑﺬﻭﺭ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ )ﻏﲑ ﺍﳌﻘﺸﻮﺭ ( ﻣﻦ ﺍﻟﺴﻮﻕ ﺍﶈﻠﻰ‪ .‬ﹼﰎ ﻃﺤﻦ ﻭﺍﺣﺪ ﻃﻦ ﻣﻦ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ‬
‫ﺑﻮﺍﺳﻄﺔ ﻃﺎﺣﻮﻧﺔ‪ ,‬ﻭﻗﺪ ﰎ ﺍﺳﺘﺨﺮﺍﺝ ﺍﻟﺰﻳﺖ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻋﺼﺮ ﺍﻟﻄﺤﲔ ﻣﻴﻜﺎﻧﻴﻜﻴﺎ‪ ,‬ﻭﺫﻟﻚ ﻟﻠﺤﺼﻮﻝ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺃﻣﺒﺎﺯ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ‪ .‬ﺃﺧﻀﻌﺖ‬
‫ﻋﻴﻨﺎﺕ ﻃﺤﲔ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ ﻭﺍﻷﻣﺒﺎﺯ ﻟﻠﺘﺤﻠﻴﻞ ﺍﻟﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺋﻲ‪.‬‬
‫ﻭﻗﺩ ﺃﻅﻬﺭ ﺍﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴل ﺍﻟﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺌﻲ ﺍﻟﻨﺴﺏ ﺍﻵﺘﻴﺔ ‪-:‬‬
‫ﺃﻣﺒﺎﺯ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ ‪-:‬‬
‫‪ %25.1‬ﺑﺮﻭﺗﲔ ﺧﺎﻡ ‪ %4.9 ،‬ﺩﻫﻦ ﺧﺎﻡ ‪ %6.1 ،‬ﺭﻣﺎﺩ‪ 631 ،‬ﳎﻢ‪/‬ﻛﺠﻢ ‪ ،‬ﻛﺎﻟﺴﻴﻮﻡ ‪ %0.38 ،‬ﻓﺴﻔﻮﺭ‪،‬‬
‫‪ %0.94‬ﺑﻮﺗﺎﺳﻴﻮﻡ ‪ 430 ،‬ﳎﻢ‪/‬ﻛﺠﻢ ﺻﻮﺩﻳﻮﻡ ‪ %0.66 ،‬ﻟﻴﺴﲔ ‪ %0.64 ،‬ﻣﺜﻴﻮﻧﲔ‪.‬‬
‫ﻃﺤﲔ ﺣﺐ ﺍﻟﺒﻄﻴﺦ‪-:‬‬
‫‪ %20.1‬ﺒﺭﻭﺘﻴﻥ ﺨﺎﻡ ‪ %25.6 ،‬ﺩﻫﻥ ﺨﺎﻡ ‪ %2.4 ،‬ﺭﻤـﺎﺩ ‪ 355 ،‬ﻤﺠـﻡ‪/‬ﻜﺠـﻡ‬
‫ﻜﺎﻟﺴﻴﻭﻡ ‪ %0.33 ،‬ﻓﺴﻔﻭﺭ ‪ 55 ،‬ﻤﺠـﻡ‪/‬ﻜﺠـﻡ ﺼـﻭﺩﻴﻭﻡ ‪ %0.59 ،‬ﻟﻴﺴـﻴﻥ ‪%0.52 ،‬‬
‫ﻤﻴﺜﻴﻭﻨﻴﻥ‪.‬‬
‫ﺃﻭﻀﺢ ﺍﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴل ﺍﻟﻜﻴﻤﻴﺎﺌﻲ ﻟﺒﺫﻭﺭ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﺇﻤﻜﺎﻨﻴﺔ ﺍﺴﺘﻌﻤﺎﻟﻪ ﻜﻐﺫﺍﺀ ﻟﻠﺩﻭﺍﺠﻥ ‪.‬‬
‫ﺘ ‪‬ﻡ ﺇﺠﺭﺍﺀ ﺴﻠﺴﻠﺔ ﻤﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﺠﺎﺭﺏ ﻟﺘﻘﻴﻴﻡ ﺍﻟﻘﻴﻤﺔ ﺍﻟﻐﺫﺍﺌﻴﺔ ﻟﺒﺫﻭﺭ ﺤـﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁـﻴﺦ ﻟﻠـﺩﺠﺎﺝ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺎﺽ ﻭﻜﺘﺎﻜﻴﺕ ﺍﻟﻼﺤﻡ‪.‬‬
‫ﺍﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﺃﻤﺒﺎﺯ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﻟﻌﻼﺌﻕ ﻜﺘﺎﻜﻴﺕ ﺍﻟﻼﺤﻡ ﺒﻨﺴﺏ ﺤﺘﻰ ‪ %10‬ﺃﺩﻯ ﻟﻠﺤﺼـﻭل‬
‫ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨﺘﺎﺌﺞ ﺠﻴﺩﺓ ﻭﺇﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﻁﺤﻴﻥ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﺒﻨﺴﺏ ﺤﺘﻰ ‪ %10‬ﻟﻡ ﻴﺅﺜﺭ ﻋﻜﺴﻴﹰﺎ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨﻤـﻭ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻜﺘﺎﻜﻴﺕ‪.‬‬
‫ﺇﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﺃﻤﺒﺎﺯ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﻟﻌﻼﺌﻕ ﺍﻟﺩﺠﺎﺝ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺎﺽ ﺒﻨﺴﺏ )‪ (% 15 ، 10‬ﺃﺩﻯ ﺍﻟـﻰ‬
‫ﺍﻨﺨﻔﺎﺽ ﻤﻌﻨﻭﻱ ﻓﻲ ﺍﺴﺘﻬﻼﻙ ﺍﻟﻌﻠـﻑ ‪،‬‬
‫ﺯﻴـﺎﺩﺓ ﻓـﻲ‬
‫) ‪Hen-day egg‬‬
‫‪ (production and hen-housed egg production‬ﻭﻜﺘﻠﺔ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺽ ﻋﻨﺩ ﺇﻀﺎﻓﺘﻪ ﺒﻨﺴﺏ‬
‫)‪ 15 ، 10‬ﻭ ‪ . (%20‬ﻻ ﻴﻭﺠﺩ ﺃﺜﺭ ﻤﻌﻨﻭﻱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻭﺯﻥ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺽ ‪ ،‬ﺴﻤﻙ ﺍﻟﻘﺸـﺭﺓ ‪ ،‬ﺍﺭﺘﻔـﺎﻉ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺎﺽ ﻭﺍﻟـ ‪. Shape index‬‬
‫ﺇﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﻁﺤﻴﻥ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﻟﻌﻼﺌﻕ ﺍﻟﺩﺠﺎﺝ ﺍﻟﺒﻴـﺎﺽ ﺒﻨﺴـﺏ )ﺼـﻔﺭ ‪، 10 ، 5 ،‬‬
‫‪ (%20 ، 15‬ﻟﻡ ﺘﺅﺜﺭ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨﺴﺒﺔ ﺍﻟﻜﻔﺎﺀﺓ ﺍﻟﻐﺫﺍﺌﻴـﺔ ‪ ،‬ﺴـﻤﻙ ﺍﻟﻘﺸـﺭﺓ ‪ ،‬ﺍﺭﺘﻔـﺎﻉ ﺍﻟﺒﻴـﺎﺽ‬
‫ﻭﺍﻟـ )‪ (Hen-housed egg production‬ﻭﻟﻜﻥ ﻫﻨﺎﻟﻙ ﺯﻴﺎﺩﺓ ﻤﻌﻨﻭﻴﺔ ﻓﻲ ﻜﻤﻴﺔ ﺍﻟﻌﻠـﻑ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻬﻠﻙ ﻭﺍﻟـ )‪ (Hen-day egg production‬ﻋﻨﺩ ﺇﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﺍﻟﻁﺤﻴﻥ ﺒﻨﺴـﺒﺔ ‪ %20‬ﻓـﻲ‬
‫ﺍﻟﻌﻠﻴﻘﺔ ‪.‬‬
‫ﺃﻅﻬﺭﺕ ﺍﻟﻨﺘﺎﺌﺞ ﺃﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻭﻴﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻌﺎﻟﻴﺔ )ﺃﻜﺒﺭ ﻤﻥ ‪ (%10‬ﻤﻥ ﺃﻤﺒﺎﺯ ﺃﻭ ﻁﺤﻴﻥ ﺤـﺏ‬
‫ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ ﻴﻤﻜﻥ ﻤﻌﺎﻟﺠﺘﻬﺎ ﺍﻻ ﺃﻥ ﺍﻟﻤﺴﺘﻭﻴﺎﺕ ﺍﻟﻤﻨﺨﻔﻀﺔ ﻤﻨﻬﺎ )ﺃﻗل ﻤﻥ ﺃﻭ ‪ (%10‬ﻫﻲ ﺍﻷﻜﺜـﺭ‬
‫ﻤﻼﺌﻤﺔ ﻟﻠﺩﺠﺎﺝ ﺍﻟﺒﻴﺎﺽ ﻭﺍﻟﻜﺘﺎﻜﻴﺕ‪.‬‬
‫ﻴﺠﺏ ﺇﻀﺎﻓﺔ ﺍﻟﻠﻴﺴﻴﻥ ﻭ ﺍﻟﻤﺜﻴﻭﻨﻴﻥ ﻷﻋﻼﻑ ﺍﻟﺩﻭﺍﺠﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﻲ ﺘﺤﺘﻭﻱ ﻋﻠﻰ ﻨﺴـﺏ ﻤـﻥ‬
‫ﺃﻤﺒﺎﺯ ﺃﻭ ﻁﺤﻴﻥ ﺤﺏ ﺍﻟﺒﻁﻴﺦ‪.‬‬
CHAPTER ONE
Introduction
Sudan is one of the biggest agricultural countries in Africa. It is
famous for a wide range of agricultural products. Among which is
watermelon seed. Watermelon seed is a cash crop. It was already
exported to so different countries (Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan). There are
different types of water melon seed carrying the same or slightly
different characteristics. Watermelon seed was cultivated in large
quantities in the western region of Sudan.
Poultry industry represents one of the best sources of cash
return through the production of high quality products (Meat and
Eggs). In general poultry production in Sudan is facing so many
problems, among which is the high cost of feed.
Proteins and energy are considered as basic feed components
that belong to the abnormally high cost of poultry feed, because of the
continuous increase in their prices. This is mainly due to the
tremendous use of oil seed cakes or meals as a source of protein, for
feeding all domestic livestock and high competition on Sorghum, as a
source of dietary energy shared between man and animals.
The above situation needs strong efforts to fill the gap between
the protein and energy, supply and demand and consequently reduce
the cost of poultry production.
Watermelon seed or meal may offer alternatives to bridge the
gap and could be used as a non-conventional poultry feed. This is
because of:a-
Availability of watermelon seed.
b-
Low cost of watermelon seed.
c-
Non human feed.
The main objective of this study is to investigate the nutritive
value of the full-fat watermelon seed and the watermelon seed meal
for broiler chickens and layer hens.
CHAPTER TWO
Literature Review
2.1 Watermelon (Citrulus Lanatus Thumb)
Origin, distribution and uses:Watermelon is native of tropical and subtropical Africa (Mohr,
1986). It is a member of the family curcurbitaceae. It is an annual
creeping plant with deeply incised leaves and circular fleshy fruits. It
grows in sandy soils and persists long into the dry season. The fruits
are used for their high water content in dry areas (Gohl, 1981). There
is a great variation within the species ranging from small, hard, bitter
inedible fruits, not exceeding 3 cm in diameter with rind and spongy
flesh that is always bitter (Citrullus colocynthesis), to succulent sweet
large ones (Mohr, 1986), in which are embeded small flat seed
(Oyenuga, 1968).
In Sudan, the crop is locally known as (Batteikh) and is
cultivated, particularly in the western parts of the country. In western
Sudan, watermelon is grown exclusively as a rainfed crop. The fruits
are harvested in October and stored under shade “Karbab” to be
utilized as a source of water during summer (Saeed and Elmubarak
1975). Kordofani watermelon can be kept under shade for one year, a
phenomenon which is not reported in other varieties. Phillips and
Armstrong (1977) reported a shelf life for watermelon varieties to be 2
to 3 weeks at 36 – 40oF and 85 – 90% relative humidity.
2.1.1 Watermelon chemical composition
Watermelon fruit was reported to contain 93.0 ml of water
0.5 g protein, 6 g carbohydrates and 0.4 g fiber/ kg (Tindall, 1972).
Purseglove (1974), found that the edible portion constituted 60.0%
of the whole fruit and it contained 93.4% water, 0.5% protein,
0.1% fat, 5.3% carbohydrates 0.2% fiber, 0.5% ash and 70.0 mg
vitamin A. The international Network of feed information centres
(INFIC) in Rome (1978) reported a fruit composition of 10%
crude protein, 25.7% crude fiber, 7.8% ash, 8.9% ether extract,
47.6% nitrogen free extract, 0.34% calcium and 0.29%
phosphorus in Niger. Watt and Merril (1963) found that 100 g of
watermelon fruit edible portion contained 92.6% moisture, 6.4 g
carbohydrates, 0.5 g protein, 0.2 g fat, 0.3 g fiber, 0.3 g ash, 7 mg
calcium, 10 mg phosphorus, 0.5 mg Fe, 1 mg sodium, 100 mg
potassium, 590 IU vitamin A, 0.03 mg thiamin, 0.03 mg riboflavin,
0.2 mg niacin, 7 mg ascorbic acid and 8 mg magnesium.
Watermelon seed constituted 1.9% of fresh fruit and, on dry
matter (DM) basis consists of 53.6% testa and 46.4% kernel and the
crude protein, fat and fiber contents were 16.5, 23.1 and 47.7%
respectively (Kamel, et al., 1985). Whole watermelon seed was
reported by Oyenuga (1968) to contain 88% DM, 24.4% CP, 31.6%
CF, 4.2% ash, 35.4% ether extract and 4.4% nitrogen free extract,
whereas the seed hull were found to be fibrous (61.4% CF) and
contained low CP of 4.5% (Oyenuga, 1968).
Mustafa et al. (1972) reported a range of 26.20 – 28.66% oil
contents in a number of watermelon varieties in Sudan. They
attributed this variability to variety and climatic conditions. However,
Madaan and Lal (1984) found mean CP, fat and CF contents to be
16.4, 23.1 and 47.7% respectively, and that the seed had significant
amounts of Ca, Mg, P and K. Hassan (1984) found that the
watermelon seed (var Baladi) contain 51% oil, 30% protein, 2.7%
fiber and 3.6% ash. He revealed that the albumin constituted the
highest protein fraction (47.28%) and the gluten the lowest fraction
(1.2%). He concluded that watermelon seed protein is suitable for use
in food systems (meat production, beverages, weaning food, … etc.)
due to its good functional properties. Purseglove (1974) reported that
the seed contained 20 – 45% a yellowish edible semidrying oil and
30 – 40% protein and that the seed is rich in the enzyme urease. The
oil of watermelon seed is edible and the meal could be used as animal
feed.
Mirghani (1974) conducted studies on the quality of some
vegetable oils and seed cakes. He found that the major
components of fatty acids in watermelon oil were linoleic, oleic,
palmitic and stearic acids. He also revealed that there were no
marked differences between the seed cakes of cotton, groundnut
and sesame in crude protein, ether extract, fiber and vitamins A
and E, and that globulin constituted the major protein fraction in
these cakes (more than 65%). However, also reported that
globulin was relatively higher in cotton and groundnut seed cakes
compared to sesame and melon ones and that the former cakes
are rich in amino acids compared to the latter.
2.2 Utilization of watermelon
In Sudan, watermelon is used as a dessert, however, the
people of Kordofan and Darfur states depend on watermelon in a
number of living aspects. They use it as an alternative source of
drinking water for man and animals, especially during the dry
season.
Watermelon, especially, the desert type may remain fresh
until the start of the next rainy season, thus constituting a
perennial source of water. This advantage advocates its use as a
main source of water for livestock, by doing so the losses of energy
experienced by cattle running after water will be substantially
minimized.
In Nigeria watermelon seed was used as thickening agent
and condiment in soup preparation, it is also fried and eaten as
snacks (Nwokolo and Sim 1987).
In Cameron watermelon seed is ground into a paste and
added to Cassava leaves and cooked into a sauce (Gwanfobe et al.,
1991). Also they are milled with a tuberous sclerotium of the
mushroom in preparing a traditional vegetable meat substitute.
Decorticated watermelon seeds are used as a flavour component
of gravies (Nwokolo, 1987).
Watermelon seed oil could be extracted and used for
cooking, medicinal purposes or soap industry (El-Magoli et al.,
1979).
2.3 Proximate chemical composition of watermelon seed
2.3.1 Crude protein
The value of curcurbit seed including watermelon as
sources of protein as well as oils in an animal diets has been
reviewed by Bemis et al. (1975). Mustafa et al. (1972) reported
that, the crude protein content of whole watermelon seed is
18.96%, whereas Dawson (1985); Asil et al. (1985) and Rakhimove
et al. (1995) showed a crude protein content range of whole
watermelon seed between 13.5% and 16.4%.
Ogunsua et al. (1984) showed a crude protein range of
dehulled watermelon seed from Oyo state in Nigeria between
30.8% and 34.0%. Approximately similar results were obtained
for the crude protein content in watermelon seed kernel by FAO/
WHO (1988) and Hayat (1994).
Kernel of watermelon seed, as reported by Alkhalifa (1995),
contained about 40.5%, 24.5% and 39.0% crude protein for an
Egyptian, Iranian and Chinese varieties, respectively.
Mustafa et al. (1972) reported that, the crude protein
content in the seed kernel is 39.1% whereas Asil (1968) reported a
range between 25% and 32% which came in accordance with the
findings of Akobunda et al. (1982).
For the crude protein content in the hull, Mustafa et al.
(1972) reported only 0.52% whereas Hayat (1994) reported
2.508%. Western regional animal nutrition centre of Africa (19651966) reported a range of 19.1 – 25.1% crude protein in the
watermelon seed cake, whereas Nwokolo and Sim (1987) showed
that, the crude protein content in the pressed melon seed cake to
be 45.33%, with respect to protein content in the defatted melon
seed meal, the same workers reported 66.2%. Moreover Oyenuga
and Fetuga (1975) showed the crude protein content of the
defatted meal to be between 69.4% and 77.7%. Gbenle and
Onyekachi (1995) reported the crude protein content of the
defatted flour and protein isolate of watermelon seed to be 62.7%
and 75.0% respectively. Almost similar results were obtained by
Abdelu et al. (1979).
2.3.2 Moisture content
Alkhalifa (1996) reported the moisture content of
watermelon seed from different places to be 2.61%. Yousuf (1992)
showed that, the moisture content of a Sudanese watermelon seed
especially the types obtained from western Sudan is 2.8%,
whereas Mustafa et al. (1992) reported 4.92% for another type
obtained from Kordufan in the vicinity of Alobied, and Hayat
(1994) reported 3.45% moisture content in watermelon seed.
Ogunsua et al. (1984) reported the moisture content of two
Nigerian varieties of watermelon seed to be 7.9% and 5.6%
respectively. The low moisture content in watermelon seed,
accompanied with its very high dry matter content may
contribute substantially in keeping quality of the seed even if it is
transported for long distances and stored for prolonged periods of
time.
2.3.3 Amino acids
Nwokolo and Sim (1987) compared the amino acid
composition of watermelon seed meal with that of soybean meal
on air dry basis (Table 1); their results indicated that watermelon
seed meal exceeded soybean meal in Alanine, Glycine, Methionine,
Phenylalanine and Glutamic acid. Moreover, watermelon seed are
distinctly higher in threonine, serine and arginine but lower in
lysine with slightly lower levels of aspartic acid than in soybean
meal. They also reported that, the contents of proline, Histidine,
Isoleucine, Leucine and Tyrosine are nearly similar to that in
soybeans.
Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975) studied the amino acid profile
of watermelon seed meal compared to that of soybean meal and
that of whole hen’s egg (Table 2). They reported that watermelon
seed meal was higher in tryptophan and aromatic amino acids
(methionine + cysteine) and threonine content in watermelon seed
was similar to that in soybean meal but lower than in whole hen’s
egg. Total essential amino acids content and chemical score values
are lower than those shown by soybean meal or whole hen’s egg.
Table 1. Amino acid content of melon seed, pumpkin seed
and
soybean meals*.
(fat extracted, air-dry basis mg g-1)
Oil seed
Amino acid
Melon seed
meal
Fluted pumpkin
seed meal
Soybean
meal
Aspartic acid
Threonine
Serine
Glutamic acid
Proline
Glysine
Alanine
Valine
Methionine
Isoleucine
Leucine
Tyrosine
Phenylalanine
Histidine
Lysine
Arginine
Total amino acids
20.3
31.4
81.4
95.6
22.0
33.0
27.3
25.0
15.1
22.3
40.0
18.9
28.8
18.0
9.2
101.1
599.7
53.6
23.1
28.4
73.5
23.6
25.1
27.1
28.8
8.4
27.4
50.1
24.4
24.3
19.8
24.6
64.8
527.1
51.5
18.3
24.2
81.6
25.2
21.4
20.8
21.7
5.8
21.2
37.1
17.1
22.3
15.8
32.5
40.0
456.5
* Nwokolo and Sim (1987).
Table 2. Comparative essential amino acid pattern of
watermelon
seed, soybean meal and whole hen’s egg*.
(mg amino acid per g of total essential amino acid).
Amino acids
Isoleucine
Leusine
Lysine
Total aromatic amino
acids
Phenylalanine
Tyrosine
Total sulphuramino acids
Methionine
Cystine
Threonine
Tryptophan
Valine
Total essential amino acids
(mg/g N)
E/T ratio (g of essential
amino acids per g N)**
Chemical score
Melon seed
meal
114
163
95
242
Soybean
meal
138
179
147
233
Whole
hen’s egg
123
172
136
190
152
90
74
50
24
92
57
143
2420
135
98
69
27
42
87
32
116
2660
109
81
114
67
47
100
32
133
3210
2.42
2.66
3.21
48.6
61.0
-
* Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975).
** (E/T ratio) the proportion of the total nitrogen derived from
essential
amino acid.
Abaelu et al. (1979) reported, the Nigerian watermelon seed
of an “Egusi” type are adequate in essential amino acids. They
found that, these watermelon seed, contain 2 g methionine, 6.1 g
leucine, 3.6 g lysine, 16.4 g arginine, 6.3 g aspartic acid and 17.6 g
glutamic acid per 16 gN.
2.3.4 Carbohydrate content
Alkhalifa (1995) found that there is a range of carbohydrate
in watermelon seed from different sources between 23.4% to
45.1%, on the other hand Mustafa et al. (1972), Oyenuga and
Fetuga (1975) and Ogunsua (1984) found that the range of
carbohydrate content of only 3.50% to 8.38%. These results are
similar to some extent to that obtained for an “Egusi” watermelon
seed which contain 2.0% and 6.13% (Alkhalifa 1996; Oyolu, 1977
and Sawaya et al. 1986).
Mustafa et al. (1972) reported the carbohydrate content of
the whole seed to be 8.38% and that of the hull and kernel to be
14.86% and 1.5% respectively.
2.3.5 Ether extract
Mustafa et al. (1972) reported that the ether extract (EE) of
many Sudanese varieties of whole ground watermelon seed is in
the range of 25.8% to 28.7%. Nwokolo and Sim (1989) found that,
the EE is 49.6% in the whole seed. But Girgis and Said (1968)
reported that the EE content in whole ground watermelon seed of
(Egusi) and another variety “Cuban queen” from Florida are
51.0% and 26.5% respectively.
Ogunsua et al. (1984) reported that the oil content of two
varieties of dehulled watermelon seed is 47.7% and 51.1%
respectively. While Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975) found that the oil
content of dehulled raw undefatted watermelon seed meal to be
54.2% and that of the dehulled fried undefatted watermelon seed
meal is 53.7%. Similar results were obtained by Asil (1985) and
Hayat (1994) who reported a range of 50.36 and 51.4%.
The recorded variation in oil content are could be to variety
differences, climatic conditions and sources of the seed.
2.3.6 Fatty acids content
Watermelon seed oil is famous for its high unsaturated fatty
acids content. Mustafa et al. (1972) reported that watermelon seed
oil has low free fatty acid content. They concluded that the oil is
an excellent source of linoleic acid and represents about 62% of
the total oil in watermelon seed.
Kamel et al. (1985) reported that the unsaturated fatty acids
represent about 76.1% of total oils of watermelon seed and
linoleic acid is the major fatty acid.
Alkhalifa (1996) stated that the linoleic acid is the major
fatty acid and represents about 63.7%, 62.0% and 68.7% of total
oil in watermelon seed collected from Iran, Egypt and China,
respectively. Also the same worker stated that the percentage of
saturated fatty acids were 19.0%, 21.3% and 18.0% and free fatty
acids were 2.15%, 1.16% and 7.5% for an Iranian, Egyptian and
Chinese watermelon seed respectively.
Girgis and Said (1968) reported that the linoleic acid
contents of watermelon seed collected from two different places,
Ibadan (Nigeria) and Florida were 55.1% and 70.8% respectively.
In the same study oleic acid and the percentage of saturated fatty
acids contents were 19.0%, 13.2% and 25.9%, 15.7% in the two
varieties respectively. They concluded that watermelon seed oil
could be a good substitute for maize oil in human diets in an
attempt to reduce high levels of blood cholesterol.
Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975) stated that, watermelon seed oil
is predominately made up of linoleic acid which represents about
52.3% and 57.9% followed by oleic acid, which ranged between
18.0% and 18.1% in Bara and Serwe watermelon seed,
respectively. The saturated fatty acids were present in lower
amounts, particularly, the palmitic acid which approximates to
12.8% and 16.8% and the stearic acid which represents about
11.1% and 13.0% of oil fraction in the seed of the two varieties
respectively. Gupta and Chakrabarty (1964) reported that, the
fatty acid composition in oil of another citrullus species is linoleic
58.81%, oleic 20.92%, arachidic 1.7% stearic 6.52%, palmitic
10.4% and linolenic 1.65%.
The effect of chemical or physical treatment on the fatty
acids in watermelon seed oil, was studied by Ogunsua and Badifu
(1989). They found that roasting decreased the linoleic acid
content from 65.03% to 61.40% in total fats and increased the
percentage of oleic from 15.55% to 18.3%, stearic acid from
9.37% to 9.64% and palmitic acid from 10.06% to 10.66%.
Apparently, processing may insignificantly aggravate the degree
of saturation at the expense of unsaturation. The same results
were obtained earlier on heated groundnut oil Lorusso et al.
(1982). They reported that roasting of watermelon seed kernel did
not affect the fatty acid content.
Gupta and Chakraparty (1964), Mustafa et al. (1972),
Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975), Girgis and Said (1968) and Alkhalifa
(1996) reported that the iodine value of watermelon seed oil is in
the range of 110.0 to 133.8 unit confirming the highly unsaturated
nature of watermelon seed oil.
2.3.7 Crude fibre
Mustafa et al. (1972) stated that the fibre content of whole
watermelon seed is 37.7%. Kamel et al. (1985) reported that the
fibre content of the whole watermelon seed, on dry matter basis is
to be 47.7%. Ogunsua et al. (1984); Nwokolo and Sim (1987);
Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975) and Alkhalifa (1996) reported a range
of 2.4% and 6.14%. Mustafa et al. (1972) stated that the fibre
content of the seed hull to be 76.13% whereas Hayat (1994)
reported 72.3%. The higher levels of fibre content may probably
limit the use of watermelon seed meal in broiler rations.
Thus Sawaya et al. (1986) recommended that citrullus seeds
should not be included at levels higher than 20%, since these
levels bring up the fibre level of the ration to be over 10% thus
reduces feed utilization.
2.3.8 Ash and minerals content
It was found that the ash content of watermelon seed is in
the range of 1.85 – 5.2% Lasztity et al. (1986); Mustafa et al.
(1972) and Hayat (1994). Oynenuga and Fetuga (1975) stated that
the levels of calcium, cobalt, magnesium and potassium in
watermelon seeds were the same as those of groundnut, but the
former exceeded the latter in P, Na, Fe, Cu and Cl content.
Akobunda et al. (1982) stated that (Egusi) watermelon seed flour
is a good source of Ca, K, Fe, Mg, P and Mn.
Nwokolo and Sim (1987) determined the mineral content of
an Egusi watermelon seed on air dry basis. They stated that it
contains 0.803% P, 0.083% Ca, 0.388% Mg, 0.585% K, 23 mg g-1
Cu, 30 mg g-1 Mn, 36 mg g-1 Zn and 76 mg g-1 Fe. In addition they
also stated that watermelon seed minerals availability may reach
53.63% which is comparable to that of soybean.
2.4 Lipoxygenase enzyme
Alkhalifa (1996) and Sessa (1979) stated that the
lipoxygenase enzyme is responsible to a large extent for the
initiation of the undesirable flavour in oil seed. This is due to its
effects on the endogenous unsaturated fatty acids, which results in
the production of hydroperoxides, that lead to the formation of
many aldehydes and alcohols. The lipoxygenase enzyme rather
than the peroxidase is the main enzyme that mediates the
development of the off-flavour in watermelon seed or other oil
seed extract (Williams et al. 1986).
Alkalifa (1996) stated that the activity of lipoxygenase
enzyme in seed extracts of different varieties of watermelon,
varies considerably among these varieties and the residual enzyme
activity after the seed were roasted, were in the range of 0 – 60%
of the original activity. This indicates the variable heat stability of
lipoxygenase among seed, since it is known to have low heat
resistance. Moreover, lipoxygenase enzyme is more heat sensitive
than peroxidase.
2.5 Urease enzyme
Krishnan et al. (1939) reported that watermelon seed
contains high content of urease enzyme. The importance of this
enzyme is realized recently, this is recognized by the acute
demand for a urease enzyme preparation for medicinal purposes.
2.6 Nutritional value and toxicity of watermelon seed meal
Research done in this area revealed that watermelon seed
meal is a good source of protein (studies of animal nutrition centre
in India (1965 – 1966) and Pal and Mahadevan, 1968) and it is
comparable to cotton seed, linseed and neem seed cake.
In India, Singh et al. (1973) studied the watermelon seed
meal (Bijada cake) and its toxicity. They investigate its toxicity in
an experiment using calves fed 250 – 500 gm/day of WM meal.
They found that pulse rate, respiratory rate, rectal temperature,
haemoglobin RBCs and white blood cells of animals, all were
within the normal range and none of these animals exhibited any
symptoms of toxicity. Burkill (1936) reported that, watermelon
seed does not contain any alkaloids or cyanogenic glycosides.
2.7 Watermelon seed oil as a feed for poultry
At the international level (Biely and March 1957, wheeler,
Perterson and Michaels, 1959; Scott, 1965 and Hill, 1966), it is
known that the unsaturated fatty acids especially linoleic and
linolenic and arachidonic acids are essential in poultry nutrition.
Menge and Richardson (1968) stated that hens fed ration
deficient in linoleic acid laid fewer and smaller eggs and their
hatchability and fertility were reduced. These findings advocated
the benefits of using watermelon seed and its extract in chicken
ration, because of its richness in unsaturated fatty acids especially
linoleic acid.
Ogunmodede and Ogunlela (1971) carried out an
experiment to compare two dietary levels (6% and 10%) of melon
seed oil on two breeds of pullets; White Plymouth Rock W.P.R
and Rhode Island Red R.I.R. They reported that addition of
melon seed oil at these levels improved egg production in W.P.R.
In addition 6% watermelon seed oil improved the egg size in
R.I.R., whereas 10% improved egg shell thickness in both breeds.
They also found that 6% dietary watermelon seed oil reduced
calcium absorption in W.P.R pullets, whereas its addition at 10%
enhanced calcium absorption in both breeds.
Summers et al. (1966) stated that the cholestrol level of the
egg yolk fat increased as the degree of unsaturation of the dietary
fat increased. The same results were obtained by Ogynmodede
and Ogunlela (1971), as they fed pullets, watermelon seed oil
which had a high degree of unsaturation.
Laid eggs were found to contain 50.3 and 54.1 mg
cholesterol/g yolk fat when the level of 6% and 10% of
watermelon seed oil were respectively incorporated in the pullet
rations. If rations were not supplemented the cholesterol level did
not exceed the value of 45.6 mg cholesterol/g yolk fat.
2.8 Watermelon seed/meal as a feed for layers
The information in this area are scarce. Most of the
information available are regarding watermelon seed meal for
broilers (Ibrahim 2000; Ahmed 1998).
2.9 Nutritional value of full fat watermelon seed
The chemical composition of fullfat watermelon seed,
especially its richness in oil and protein quality, encourages its use
in broilers rations to fulfill partially the energy and protein
requirements of broiler chickens. Sawaya et al. (1986) fed broilers
chicks rations containing fullfat citrullus seed. They found that
15% fullfat citrullus seed in broilers diet did not adversely affect
growth, however, the citrullus meal included at the same level had
clearly depressed growth in broiler chicken. Rajab (2002)
reported that inclusion of fullfat watermelon seed had no
significant adverse effect on voluntary feed intake but
significantly affected the final body weight and weight gain of
broiler chickens, whereas birds fed (High treated watermelon seed
(15%) HTWMS) diet showed the best results.
2.10 Nutritional value of watermelon seed meal for broiler chicks
Nwokolo and Sim (1987) found that in an experiment with
broiler chicks, diets in which 50% of the dietary protein was
supplied by watermelon seed meal, had no significant effect on
growth rate compared to soybean meal. They also reported that
when chicks fed watermelon seed meal, there was however,
significant depression in average feed consumption and
accordingly a lower and better
feed conversion ratio when
compared to chicks fed soybean meal.
All these results can
give the signal that watermelon seed meal can replace a significant
proportion of soybean meal in chicken diet.
Ahmed (1998) in an experiment, included watermelon seed
meal in broiler ration at 2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10.0%. He found
that the inclusion of watermelon seed meal in broiler ration upto
10% significantly induced better growth and feed efficiency
without affecting carcass characteristics.
Recently Rajab (2002) in an experiment using 5
isonitrogenous and isoenergetic experimental diets, containing 0%
WMS, 10% low raw WMS (LRWMS) and 15% high raw WMS
(HRWMS), 10% low treated WMS (LTWMS) and 15% HTWMS.
He found that chicks fed roasted watermelon seed based diets
whether high or low level were equally efficient in converting the
feed into gain and significantly better than chicks fed RWMS
containing diets. The same trend was also observed for protein
efficiency ratio (PER) where the superiority was also
demonstrated by TWMS containing diets.
2.11 Watermelon seed meal digestibility
The protein apparent digestibility of watermelon seed meal
fed to rats at 20% level was significantly lower than those fed at
10% and 15% (Oyenuga and Fetuga 1975). They also found that
the true protein digestibility of raw or fried watermelon seed were
91% and 93% respectively.
Kaduskar et al. (1980) stated that the average digestibility
coefficient of watermelon seed meal protein is 57.3±5.64, while the
results obtained by Pal and Mahadevan (1968) showed that the
crude protein digestibility coefficient has reached 85.6% and
87.9% on feeding watermelon seed along with barely to Kumaoni
bullocks. These differences may be attributed to variety, animal
species used in the study and/or diets composition.
Nwokolo and Sim (1987) stated that the amino acids
availability (true digestibility) of watermelon seed was as high as
96.11% and similar to that of soybean (94.93%). They also found
that the true nitrogen digestibility of watermelon meal was
68.75% compared to soybean digestibility that reached 82.64%,
but when watermelon seed was over roasted (85oC for 24 hrs) the
true nitrogen digestibility rise to 82.71%. Recently Rajab (2002)
reported that inclusion of WMS had significantly affected the
apparent protein retention, whereas chicks fed the control diet
(0% WMS) showed apparently the best apparent protein
retention compared to chick on other diets.
CHAPTER THREE
General Materials and Methods
3.1 Experimental design and statistical analysis
The experiments were conducted following a completely
randomized design. The data were subjected to analysis of
variance and regression analysis according to Steel and Torrie
(1960). Treatment means were separated using Duncan Multiple
Range Test (1955).
3.2 Experimental diets
Experimental diets used were based on either full fat
watermelon seed or watermelon seed meal, both included at 0.0%,
5.0%, 10.0%, 15.0% and 20.0%.
3.3 Ration formulation and the calculated composition
Rations formulated for all the experiments were shown in
Tables 3, 4, 5 and 6. Also the calculated compositions for the
rations were shown in Tables (3, 4, 5 and 6).
3.4 Experimental birds
In each of experiment (3) and (4) two-hundred, one day old,
unsexed broiler chicks (Lohman) were randomized into 20 groups
containing 10 birds of approximately similar weights.
Table (3)
Experiment No. (3)
(water melon seed meal)
0.0%
65.00
2.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
5.0%
65.00
5.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
Rations
10.0%
62.00
10.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
12.25
Groundnut meal
Sesame meal
14.00
Lysine
0.62
Methionine
0.18
* Calculated composition
ME kcal/kg
3101
CP %
22.10
Lysine %
1.20
Methionine %
0.56
Fat %
4.50
CF %
4.30
Ca %
1.40
P%
0.62
13.25
12.25
15.25
14.25
10.00
0.62
0.17
9.00
0.61
0.12
3.00
0.60
0.12
2.00
0.59
0.07
3090
21.90
1.20
0.56
4.40
5.40
1.30
0.58
3042
22.00
1.20
0.56
4.40
6.80
1.30
0.57
3000
21.90
1.20
0.56
4.20
8.20
1.20
0.54
2952
22.00
1.20
0.56
4.20
9.50
1.26
0.53
Ingredients
Sorghum
Wheat bran
WM meal
WM seed
Salt
Oystershell
*Super
concentrate (broil
ers)
15.0%
60.00
15.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
20.0%
57.00
20.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
*Super concentrate:
Crude protein 40.00%, crude fat 2.00%, crude fiber 2.00%, calcium
10.00%, phosphorus 4.00%, lysine 12.00%, methionine 3.00%,
meth+cystine 3.20%, met. Energy 2100.00 kcal/kg, sodium 2.6%.
Added vitamins and minerals (vit. A, D3, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin,
nicotinic acid, folic acid, choline chloride copper, manganese, zinc,
iron, iodine, cobalt, selenium, antioxidant) + coccidiostatic.
Table (4)
Experiment No. (4)
(water melon fullfat seed)
0.0%
65.00
2.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
5.0%
61.00
2.00
5.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
Rations
10.0%
58.00
10.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
12.25
Groundnut meal
Sesame meal
14.00
Lysine
0.62
Methionine
0.18
ME kcal/kg
3101
CP %
22.10
Lysine %
1.20
Methionine %
0.56
Fat %
4.50
CF %
4.30
Ca %
1.40
P%
0.62
11.25
12.25
12.25
11.25
14.00
0.59
0.12
13.00
0.57
0.06
11.00
0.55
0.02
12.00
0.53
-
3104
22.00
1.20
0.56
5.70
5.30
1.40
0.61
3131
22.20
1.20
0.56
6.80
6.10
1.40
0.59
3140
21.80
1.20
0.56
7.80
7.00
1.42
0.57
3137
22.00
1.20
0.56
9.00
8.00
1.40
0.56
Ingredients
Sorghum
Wheatbran
WM meal
WM seed
Salt
Oystershell
*Super
concentrate (broil
ers)
15.0%
55.00
15.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
20.0%
50.00
20.00
0.25
1.50
5.00
*Super concentrate:
Added vitamins and minerals (vit. A, D3, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, biotin,
nicotinic acid, folic acid, choline chloride copper, manganese, zinc,
iron, iodine, cobalt, selenium, antioxidant) + coccidiostatic.
Table (5)
Experiment No. (5)
(water melon seed meal)
Ingredients
0.0%
62.00
9.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
Sorghum
Wheatbran
WM meal
WM seed
Salt
Oystershell
*Super
concentrate (layers
)
Groundnut meal
7.75
Sesame meal
7.00
Lysine
0.42
Methionine
0.12
ME kcal/kg
2807
CP %
18.00
Lysine %
0.81
Methionine %
0.38
Fat %
3.70
CF %
4.20
Ca %
4.06
P%
0.66
5.0%
62.00
6.00
5.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
Rations
10.0%
62.00
4.00
10.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
15.0%
61.00
3.00
15.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
20.0%
62.00
20.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
6.75
6.0
0.43
0.07
4.75
5.00
0.44
0.02
3.75
3.00
0.44
-
1.75
2.00
0.47
-
2806
18.0
0.81
0.38
3.8
5.2
4.06
0.66
2796
17.70
0.81
0.38
3.70
6.30
4.02
0.66
2771
17.50
0.81
0.38
3.70
7.50
3.98
0.66
2777
17.20
0.81
0.38
3.60
8.50
3.96
0.66
*Super concentrate:
Added vitamins and minerals (vit. A, D3, E, B1, B2, B6, B12, nicotinic
acid, folic acid, K3, pantothenic acid and chlorine chloride. Copper,
manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, cobalt, selenium and antioxident.
Table (6)
Experiment No. (6)
(water melon fullfat seed)
Ingredients
Sorghum
0.0%
62.00
9.00
Wheatbran
WM meal
WM seed
Salt
0.25
Oystershell
9.00
*Super
5.00
concentrate
(laye
rs)
Groundnut meal
7.75
Sesame meal
7.00
Lysine
0.42
Methionine
0.12
ME kcal/kg
2807
CP %
18.00
Lysine %
0.81
Methionine %
0.38
Fat %
3.70
CF %
4.20
Ca %
4.06
P%
0.66
5.0%
59.00
11.00
Rations
10.0%
55.00
11.00
15.0%
50.00
11.00
20.0%
47.00
11.00
5.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
10.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
15.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
20.00
0.25
9.00
5.00
5.75
5.00
0.43
0.08
5.75
4.00
0.41
0.03
4.75
5.00
0.38
-
4.75
3.00
0.37
-
2800
17.10
0.81
0.38
4.60
5.10
4.02
0.64
2802
17.00
0.81
0.38
5.70
6.10
4.02
0.64
2799
17.30
0.81
0.38
6.90
7.10
4.04
0.63
2809
16.90
0.81
0.38
7.90
8.00
4.01
0.62
*Super concentrate:
Crude protein 35.00%, crude fat 2.00%, crude fiber 4.00%,
calcium 10.00%, phosphorus 4.50%, lysine 5.70%, methionine
4.50%, meth+cystine 4.90%, met. Energy 2000.00 kcal/kg, sodium
2.60%. Added vitamins and minerals (vit. A, D3, E, B1, B2, B6, B12,
Nicotinic acid, Folic acid, K3, pantothenic acid and chlorine
chloride. Copper, manganese, zinc, iron, iodine, cobalt, selenium
and antioxident.
In experiments (5) and (6), 60 layer pullets (bovan) were
randomized into 20 groups, each containing 3 birds of
approximately similar weight. In experiment (2) twelve cockrels
were used.
3.5 Management and medication
Feed and clean fresh water were available ad libitum
throughout the period of the experiments. Vitamins minerals
premix was supplied in water during the first week of age for the
broiler chicks, three days before and after vaccination to avoid the
expected stress. For the layer pullets vitamins minerals premix
was supplied in water during the first week of arrival and at
intervals when environmental temperature turned high.
Mortality was recorded for all the experiments as it
occurred. Average feed intake and weekly liveweight for the
broiler chicks were recorded.
For the layer pullets, average feed intake, egg weight, egg
size, albumin height, feed conversion ratio, protein efficiency
ratio, shell thickness, hen-day and hen-housed egg production
were measured on weekly basis.
3.6 Digestibility trial
The trial was carried out using twelve, 20 – week old Single
Comb White Leghorn males, with the same body weight. Birds
were kept for five days adaptation period. Birds were kept
individually
in stainless steel wire cages, each cage equipped
with a feeder and
a drinker hanged in such a manner to permit
easy feeding and drinking. Then birds were divided into three
groups. Four cockrels for each group. Birds are fasted for 24
hours. After 24 hours fasting, twenty grams feed consisting of:a-
Watermelon meal or,
b-
Watermelon full fat.
was given to the first two groups. The third group kept for
another 24 hours fasting. On the day after, collection of fecal
samples for the three groups was done. Fecal samples were
weighted (before drying) and then dried in an oven at 80oC.
Dry matter and moisture were calculated:Dry matter (grams)=(Dry weight+wt of crucible)-(wt of the crucible
empty)
Dry matter (%) =
DM (grams)
wt of the sample (before drying)
Moisture % = 100 – DM%
Collected excreta were dried, weighed and kept in polythene
for analysis. Later excreta were chemically analyzed according to
A.O.A.C (1980). Based on the results of the chemical analysis the
digestibility coefficients of the experimental diets were calculated
by expressing the weight of digested food as a percent of food
weight consumed:Digestibility = WFC x %ND – WEV x %NF x 100
WFC x %ND
Where:
WFC = weight of feed consumed
NF = nutrient in faeces.
WEV = weight of excreta voided.
ND = nutrient in diet.
CHAPTER FOUR
RESULTS
4.1 Chemical analysis of watermelon seed meal and fullfat
seed
(Experiment One)
4.1.1 Introduction
The efficiency of animal production is dependent upon the
optimum utilization of the feed for growth, development and
reproduction. Thus as a prerequisite for the determination of
biological efficiency, it is necessary to have an indication of
suitability of the feed to meet the specific requirements of the
animal. Large quantities of watermelon seed are now available in
the Sudan and in order to ascertain their suitability for meeting
poultry requirement, it is necessary to have an indication of their
nutritive value. Therefore the objective of the present study is to
investigate the chemical composition of watermelon seed meal and
fullfat seed.
4.1.2 Materials and methods
4.1.2.1 Proximate analysis
Crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, ash and moisture
content of watermelon seed and meal were analysed using
methods of Association of Official Agricultural Chemists (1980).
4.1.2.2 Amino acids determination
Principle
The protein is hydrolyzed with 6 N hydrochloric acid. After
treatment of the hydrolysate with 9 –
Fluorenylmethylchoroformate (FMOC) the amino acid
derivatives are separated using reversed phase choromatography
(HPLC) and measured in a fluorometer at 260 nm (extinction)
and 310 nm (emission). The amino acid content of the protein was
calculated from the peak area registered.
Methionine and cystine were determined after oxidation to
methionine sulfone and cystic acid, respectively.
Apparatus
Thermoregulated HPLC-column, e.g. Lichrosphere CH8/11, 4 m, 240 mm/4.0 mm merck No. (16010), with two pumps
was used.
-
Injection valve e.g. Rheodyne 7125 with 20 1.
-
Injection loop.
-
Fluorescence detector, e.g. shimadzu (Kyoto/Japan), model
PF-530 with xenon-lamp and 12 1 flow cell.
-
Integrator, e.g. shimadzu, model CR 2A.
-
Round bottom flask with ground-glass joint and coiled
reflux.
-
Analytical balance, ± 0.1 mg.
Reagents
The reagents consisted of:1.
37% hydrochloric acid conc. A.R. from which the following
dilutions were prepared:
6 N HCl; 2484 ml ad 5000 ml,
1 N HCl; 83 ml ad 1000 ml,
0.1 N HCl; 8.3 ml ad 100 ml.
2.
Perhydrole, A.R., (e.g. Merck No. 7209), stored at 4oC in the
refrigerator.
3.
Formic acid, A.R., (e.g. Merck No. 264), stored at 4oC.
4.
Performic acid solution: 10 ml perhydrole were placed in
100 ml flask and made up to volume with formic acid and
stored for one hour at 20oC and for 15 minutes in an ice bath.
It was prepared immediately before use.
5.
Hydrobromic acid, A.R., (e.g. Merck No. 307).
6.
Petroleum benzine, B.P.: 40 – 60oC.
7.
2 N sodium hydroxide solution, A.R.
8.
Standard amino acid solution (e.g. serva) was weighed to the
nearest mg and the exact amount recorded to the 0.1 mg.
73 mg aspartic acid,
49 mg threonine,
100 mg glutannic acid
100 mg proline,
46 mg phenylalanine
42 mg alanine
58 mg histidine-HCl.H20
43 mg valine
35 mg methionine
40 mg isoleucine
51 mg tyrosine
90 mg lysine-HCl
53 mg serine
49 mg glycine
34 mg cysteine
100 mg norvaline
60 mg leucine
74 mg arginine
63 mg methionine, 25 mg cystic acid (regard H2O content) then
it was dissolved in 10 ml 0.1 N hydrochloric acid, washed and
made up to 100 ml with sodium acetate buffer (PH.4.7). This
stock solution was diluted 1:50 for injection into the column.
9.
Internal standard solution: 40 mg norvaline (e.g. serva No.
30970) were dissolved in 10 ml 0.1 N hydrochloric acid 0.1 N
and made up to 100 ml with water.
10.
FMOC
–
solution:
155
mg
9
–
Fluorenylmethyl-
chloroformate (e.g. sigma No. F – 0378/g, were weighed,
dissolved in 40 ml acetone and stored at 4oC in the dark, where
it might be stable up to 100 days.
11.
0.5 M borate solution: 61.83 g boric acid were weighed,
made up to 2000 ml with water. Its PH was adjusted at 7.7 with
NaOH.
12.
Acetonitrile, HPLC-Grade S
13.
Sodium acetate buffer: 3 ml acetic acid (96% approximately
50 m Mol) were placed in a volumetric flask, made up to 1000
ml with water and adjusted with 30% NaOH – solution to PH
4.2.
14.
n – pentane.
Procedure
The sample was ground to pass a 0.5 mm sieve, avoiding
increase in temperature above 50oC. The ground sample was left
over night at room temperature, so that the water content
becomes stable. The sample should contain approximately 32 mg
N, which is close to the N content of the standard amino acid
solution. Thus sample size can be 2000 mg for feeding stuffs
containing less than 15% crude protein, but should be reduced to
1000, 670 or 500 mg when the crude protein content is 20, 30 or
40% respectively.
Removal of lipids
Prior to hydrolysis, the lipids were removed from the
sample. The sample was weighed in a blue ribbon filter, placed in
a funnel and lipids were extracted by giving 100 ml petroleum
benzine drop by drop over about one hour, the eluent was
discarded.
Oxidation
Sulphur containing amino acids must be oxidized to cysteic
acid and methionine sulfone, because of irregular losses of cystein
and methionine occurring during acid hydrolysis. The defatted
sample and the filter were placed in a 300 ml Erlenmeyer flask.
The sample was removed from the filter by shaking. The flask was
closed and placed in an ice bath on a magnetic stirrer. Stirring
was continued until the paper suspended and then the suspension
was stored over night at 0oC (15 hours).
Some drops of hydrobromic acid were added every 5
minutes (in total 12 ml) to remove excess of performic acid, while
the suspension was stirred in an ice bath. In cases of foaming some
drops of butanol were added. When the sample brightened up
quickly, addition of hydrobromic acid was enforced and stirring
containued for further 15 minutes after addition of hydrobromic
acid.
The solution was transferred quantitatively in a distillation
flask of 2 litre volume. The volume was reduced to approximately
5 ml in the rotary evaporator at 50 – 60oC. the concentrate was
washed four times with 20 ml water and evaporated.
Acid hydrolysis
The defatted, not oxidized material and the filter were
placed in a distillation flask of 2 litres volume, or the distillation
flask was taken with the oxidized sample respectively. 400 ml 6 N
hydrochloric acid was added and connected with a coiled reflux
condenser. Boiling under reflux (at 105 to 110oC) was carried out
for 24 hours while oxygen free nitrogen gas is bubbling through
the liquid continuously, left to cool, made up to 500 ml with water
and passed through a glass filter.
Preparation of the sample solution
Hundred ml of the hydrolysate were placed in a rotary
evaporator and concentrated to about 5 ml., then transferred to
300 ml volumetric flask. The distillation flask was washed four
times with
20 ml water and twice with 5 ml 0.1 N hydrochloric
acid, 2 ml, 2 N sodium hydroxide solution and water.
15 ml of the internal standard solution (400 mg norvaline/1)
were added, pH was adjusted at 2.2 with hydrochloric acid,
sodium hydroxide and the final volume made up with water. The
sample solution was passed once more through a glass filter and
about 100 ml were stored at –25oC for amino acid analysis.
Derivatization
0.150 ml sample (or standard) solution were placed in a 2 ml
test tube. 0.400 ml borate buffer and 0.600 ml FMOC – solution
were added and shaken gently. After 40 seconds, derivatization
was completed and excess of FMOC could be removed by
extraction with 2 ml pentane. The extraction was repeated three
times.
Separation on the HPLC – column
Eluent A (20% acetonitrile, 80% sodium acetate buffer, v/v)
and eluent B (70% acetonitrile, 30% sodium acetate buffer, v/v),
were prepared.
The program for gradient elution was set according to
Table (7). 0.150 ml of derivatized sample (or standard) solution
were added to 1 ml of eluent A and 0.020 ml was injected at step 2
(0.5 minutes after start). The separated derivatives were measured
in the fluorometer set at 260 nm (extinction) and 310 nm
(emission). Chart speed was set at 0.1 inch/min.
Calibration: A separate analysis of the standard amino acid
solution was required for establishing the relationship between
amount of amino acid injected and the peak area of the
chromatogram recorded by fluorimetry. Retention times of amino
acids during calibration can be used for identification of the peaks
in the chromatograms of samples.
Calculation of results
The amount of a particular amino acid injected (AA1, mg)
were calculated from the peak area measured and the ration
found in the calibration test, using the following equations:
AA1 = PAs * Wc
PAc
Where:
PAs = peak area from the sample analyzed
Wc = weight (mg) of the particular amino acid in
the
calibration test.
PAc = peak area from the particular amino acid in
the
calibration test.
Differences between sample and standard derivatization,
caused by the organic “matrix” of the sample could be corrected
by the ‘Internal Standard Ratio’:
ISR = PA1s,c * W1s,s
W1s,c
PA1s,s
Where:
1SR = a correction factor called “Internal Standard Ratio”
PA1s,c = Peak area of the internal standard (norvaline) in
the
calibration test.
W1s, s = weight (mg) of norvaline in the sample.
PA1s,s = peak area from norvaline in the sample.
For the calculation of the content of norvaline in a
particular sample (AAs) the dilution factor (DF) and the sample
weight have to be regarded:
AAs = AA1 * ISR * DF/W
DF = dilution factor, e.g. (500/100) * (300/0.0020) = 750000
W = dry matter (g) of the sample hydrolysed.
The amino acid content is commonly referred to as the
protein content of the sample and expressed as g amino acid/16 g
nitrogen (percentage of crude protein):
AA (g/16/g N) = 100 * AAs / XP
Where:
XP = crude protein content of sample dry matter (g/kg).
4.1.2.3 Minerals determination
Determination of sodium, calcium, total phosphorus,
potassium was carried out using atomic absorption
spectrophotometer model perkin Elmer 2380, according to the
chemical analysis of ecological materials.
4.1.3 Results and discussion
Chemical analysis of watermelon seed and meal obtained in
the present study Tables (8 and 9), indicated that watermelon seed
and meal has a good protein quantity but it seems to be deficient
in methionine and to a lesser extent in lysine. Values obtained
from the analysis of watermelon seed in the present experiment is
in line with values reported in previous studies (Rajab 2002,
Mustafa et al. 1972 and Hayat 1994). The variations from the
analysis reported by Alkhalifa (1996), Yousuf (1992) and Ogunsua
et al. (1984) may be due to the different varieties of watermelon
seed used.
Table (8)
Composition of watermelon fullfat seed*
(on dry matter)
Component
Content %
Moisture (4H)
4.8
Crude protein
20.1
Crude fat (AC. HYDR)
25.6
Raw Ash
2.4
Calcium
355 (mg/kg)
Phosphorus
0.33
Sodium
55 (mg/kg)
Amino acids (g per 100 g
protein)
Cystine
0.25
Lysine
0.59
Methionine
0.52
Threonine
0.65
* Analysis was done in Masterlab Analytical Services at TROUW
Nutrition Co. The Netherlands.
Table (9)
Composition of watermelon seed meal*
(on dry matter).
Component
Content %
Moisture (4H)
5.2
Crude protein
25.1
Crude fat (AC. HYDR)
4.9
Raw Ash
6.1
Calcium
631 (mg/kg)
Phosphorus
0.38
Potassium
0.94
Sodium
430 (mg/kg)
Amino acids (g per 100 g
protein)
Cystine
0.28
Lysine
0.66
Methionine
0.64
Threonine
0.81
* Analysis was done in Masterlab Analytical Services at TROUW
Nutrition Co. The Netherlands.
4.2 Digestibility Trial
Experiment No. (2)
4.2.1 Introduction
The value of cucurbit seed including watermelon as sources
of proteins as well as oils in animal diets has been reviewed by
Bemis et al. (1975). Dawson (1985), Asil et al. (1985) and
Rakhimove et al. (1995) showed a crude protein content range of
whole watermelon seed between 13.5% and 16.4%. Kaduskar et
al. (1980) reported that the average digestibility coefficient of
water melon seed meal protein is (57.3±5.64), on the other hand
the results obtained by Pal and Mahadevan (1968) showed that
the crude protein digestibility coefficient has reached 85.6% and
87.9% on feeding watermelon seed along with barely to kumaoni
bullocks. This experiment was conducted to study the digestibility
of WMS and WMSF.
4.2.2 Materials and Methods
4.2.2.1 Birds, housing and experiment conduct
The experiment was conducted with twelve, 20 week old
single Comb White Leghorn males, with more or less the same
average weight. Birds were kept for five days adaptation period.
Birds were kept individually in stainless steel wire cages, each
cage equipped with a feeder and a drinker hanged in such a
manner to permit easy feeding and drinking. Then birds were
divided into three groups. Four cockrels for each group. Birds
were fasted for 24 hrs and after that twenty grams feed consisting
of watermelon meal or watermelon fullfat were given to the first
two groups. The third group was kept for another 24 hrs fasting.
On the day after, collection of fecal samples for the three groups
was done. Fecal samples were weighed (before drying) and then
after drying in an oven at 80oC.
4.2.2.2 Experimental diet
Watermelon seed meal and watermelon fullfat seed were
administered to the birds in the experiment. Proximate analysis of
the WMS + WMSF was done (Table 10) using standard methods
(A.O.A.C 1980).
4.2.3 Results and discussion
Based on the results of the chemical analysis. The
digestibility coefficient of the experimental diets were calculated
by expressing the weight of the digested feed as percent of feed
weight consumed:
Digestibility = WFC x % ND – WEV % NF x 100
WFC x % ND
Where:
WFC = weight of feed consumed
ND = nutrient in diet
NF = nutrient in feces
WEV = weight of excreta voided.
Digestibility coefficients were shown in (Table 11).
As shown in Table (11) digestibility coefficient of the crude
protein for the birds fed watermelon seed meal ranging from
43.74 to 52.75 and that of birds fed watermelon fallfat (31.90 to
57.95).
The results may be comparable with those obtained by
Kaduskar et al. (1980) regarding the birds fed with watermelon
seed meal (57.3±5.64).
Table (10)
Proximate analysis of watermelon fullfat seed and watermelon seed
meal on dry matter basis.
Watermelon fullfat
seed
95.30
Watermelon seed
meal
95.60
17.71
27.03
Ether extract
2.00
1.66
Ash
6.82
6.20
Crude fibre
31.60
31.00
Calcium
0.29
0.17
Total phosphorus
0.15
0.25
*Calculated ME
3362
2215
29.17
29.18
Variable (%)
Dry matter
Crude protein
(Nx6.25)
kcal/kg
Nitrogen free extract
* Calculated from the equation of Lodhi, Singh and Ichponani
(1976).
Table (11)
Digestibility coefficients.
Lab No.
Digestibility coefficient (CP)
W.M (1)
44.50
W.M (2)
43.74
W.M (3)
48.75
W.M (4)
52.75
F.F (1)
57.95
F.F (2)
31.90
F.F (3)
32.90
F.F (4)
38.40
(W.M 1, W.M 2, W.M 3, W.M 4) fecal samples from
cockrels
fed with 20 grms watermelon seed meal.
(F.F 1, F.F 2, F.F 3, F.F4) fecal samples from cockrels
fed
with 20 grms watermelon fullfat seed.
4.3 Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on
Performance
of broiler chicks
(Experiment Three)
4.3.1 Introduction
Citrulas vulgaris commonly known as watermelon is
extensively cultivated throughout the Sudan. It is grown mainly
for its fruit, called gourd, which is used as a source of water for
man and animals. The seeds are used for oil production (annual
seed production is 156000 MT). Investigation revealed
watermelon seed/meal meets most of the requirement of a rich
source of protein.
The oil extracted from watermelon seed has been shown to
be suitable for human and animal consumption (Sawaya et al.
1983). The objective of the experiment reported herein is to study
the effects of feeding graded levels of WMS meal on performance
of broiler chicks.
In this experiment two-hundred unsexed broiler chicks
(Lohman) were randomized into 20 groups each containing ten
birds of approximately similar weight. Each group was allocated
to one of the five treatments with four replicates. The birds were
kept in pens (1 m2) in an open-sided deep litter poultry house and
offered mash feed and water ad libitum.
In this experiment, the five treatments consisted of a control
diet based on sesame and groundnut meals as a protein source
and four other diets in which increasing levels (5%, 10%, 15%
and 20%) of watermelon seed meal were included, Table (3). The
diets were calculated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic.
Watermelon seed (corticated) were purchased from the
local market. Half ton fullfat seed was ground in a hammer mill,
and the oil was extracted mechanically. Chemical analysis,
proximate analysis was performed on watermelon seed meal
(Table 10).
Individual liveweight were recorded at the start and at
weekly interval upto six weeks of age.
Mortality was recorded as it occurred. Feed intake was
recorded weekly, protein consumed, protein effiency ratio were
recorded. The average house temperature during the experiment
was 27.5oC. At the end of the experiment three birds were selected
at random from each pen. They were killed by cervical dislocation
and the abdominal fat was excised and weighed, dressing
percentage was also recorded.
4.3.3 Data statistical analysis
The data were subjected to analysis of variance and
regression analysis (Steel and Torrie 1960). Treatments means
were separated according to Duncan’s New Multiple Range Test
following a significant t-test (P < 0.05).
4.3.4 Results
The effect of feeding graded levels of watermelon seed meal
on performance of broiler chicks is shown in Table (12).
Table (12)
Experiment (3)
Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on performance of broiler chicks.
Level of watermelon seed
meal
Initial body weight
(g/bird/week0)
Final body weight
(g/bird/week6)
Weight gain
(g/bird/6weeks)
Feed intake
(g/bird/6weeks)
Feed conversion ratio
(g feed/g body weight gain/bird)
Protein consumed
(g/bird/6weeks)
Protein efficiency ratio
(g weight gain/g protein consumed/bird)
Dressing %
Abdominal fat %
Mortality %
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
a
46.25 ±2.39
a
43.75 ±2.39
a
47.50 ±1.44
a
42.50 ±1.44
43.75 a±1.25
1635.00a±54.54
1532.50a±81.58
1657.50b±10.30
1637.50 a±49.39
1540.00 a±35.59
1588.75a±67.87
1487.50a±79.70
1611.25b±8.26
1595.00 a±50.12
1496.25 a±34.90
2630.00bc±31.82
2600.41c±35.33
2680.42bc±27.21
2799.03 a±10.18
2712.36 b±28.04
1.52b±0.05
1.63 ab±0.07
1.53 b±0.01
1.61 a±0.05
1.69 a±0.04
581.24 bc±7.03
569.51c±7.74
589.69 b±5.99
612.99 a±2.23
596.72 ab±6.17
3.13a±0.11
3.02ab±0.07
3.10 a±0.44
2.96 ab±0.08
2.80 b±0.05
68.78 a±0.35
0.91ab±0.04
0.00a±0.00
69.33 a±0.76
0.74 b±0.03
5.00a±2.89
68.33 a±0.22
0.73 b±0.12
2.50 a±2.50
68.99 a±0.58
0.95 ab±0.07
2.50 a±2.50
69.16 a±0.28
1.02 a±0.13
5.00 a±5.00
Means with the same letters are not significantly different.
49
Parameters response variable
Final body weight (g/bird/week 6)
It was observed that there was a significant difference
(P < 0.05) in final body weight when 10% level of watermelon
meal was included in the ration, compared to the birds fed the
control diet.
Weight gain (g/bird/6 weeks)
Weight gain associated with feeding 10% of watermelon
meal represented the highest weight gain (P < 0.05) among the
dietary treatments. There was no significant difference (P > 0.05)
among birds fed the graded levels of watermelon seed meal.
Feed intake (g/bird/6 weeds)
There was a significant increase in feed intake between the
control and the birds receiving 15% watermelon seed meal (P <
0.05). But no significance (P > 0.05) was recorded between the
control and the birds receiving 5%, 10% and 20% water melon
seed meal.
There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the
control and the birds fed (5% and 10%) watermelon meal. But the
other two groups (15% and 20%) showed a remarkable difference
(P < 0.05).
Protein consumed (g/bird/6 weeks)
There were no significant differences between the control
and the birds receiving (5%, 10% and 20%) watermelon meal
(P > 0.05). But a significant difference (P < 0.05) was shown
between the control and birds receiving 15% watermelon seed
meal.
There were no significant differences between the control
and the birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% level of
watermelon seed meal (P > 0.05). Also no significant differences (P
> 0.05) were shown among the birds receiving the different levels
of watermelon seed meal.
Dressing %
No significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded between
the control and the birds receiving graded levels of watermelon
seed meal in their rations. There were no significant differences (P
> 0.05) recorded among the birds receiving the graded levels of
watermelon seed meal.
Abdominal fat %
There were no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the
control and the birds receiving the graded levels of watermelon
seed meal. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were recorded among
the birds receiving (5% and 20%), (10% and 20%) watermelon
seed meal.
Mortality
Increasing levels of watermelon meal in broiler diets had no
significant effect on mortality. Mortality occurred during the
experimental period is due to heat stress.
4.3.5 Discussion
Studies on the use of watermelon seed meal in the poultry
diet were few, so there were no sufficient information to compare
with. Research reveals that watermelon seed meal is a good source
of protein (studies of animal nutrition centre in India 1965 – 1966)
and Pal and Mahadevan (1968). It is comparable to cotton seed
cake, and neem seed cake. Proximate analysis of watermelon meal
showed that, it contains 27.03 crude protein Table (10).
Singh et al. (1973) studied the watermelon seed meal (Bijada
cake) and its toxicity. They investigated its toxicity in an
experiment using calves fed 250 – 500 gm/day of watermelon seed
meal. They found that pulse rate, respiratory rate, rectal
temperature, RBCS and white blood cells of animals all were
within the normal range, non of these animals exhibited any
symptoms of toxicity.
The feed intake in the present experiment increase at 15%
and 20% watermelon meal, but this is not in line with the results
reported by Nwukolo and Sim (1987). They reported that when
chicks fed water melon meal, there was however a significant
depression in average feed consumption and accordingly a lower
and better feed conversion ratio compared to chicks fed soybean
meal. All these results can give the signal that watermelon seed
meal can replace a significant proportion of soybean meal in
chicken diet.
The present study showed that inclusion of watermelon seed
meal upto 10% significantly induced better growth and feed
efficiency, this is in line with the results obtained by Ahmed (1998)
in an experiment in which watermelon seed meal was included at
2.5%, 5.0%, 7.5% and 10%. He found that inclusion of
watermelon meal in broiler ration upto 10% significantly
improved growth without affecting carcass characteristics.
The results of the present investigation suggest that for
practical broiler diets watermelon seed meal can be included upto
10%.
4.4 Effects of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance of broiler chicks
(Experiment four)
4.4.1 Introduction
Watermelon seed constituted 1.9% of the fresh fruit and on
DM basis consist of 53.6% testa and 46.4% kernel and the crude
protein, fat and fibre contents were 16.5, 23.1 and 47.7
respectively (Kamel et al. 1985). Mustafa et al. (1972) reported a
range of 26.20 – 28.66 oil content in a number of watermelon
varieties in Sudan. This experiment was carried to investigate the
possibility of including watermelon fullfat seed into the diets of
broiler chicks. Watermelon fullfat seed were incorporated at
graded levels (0, 5, 10, 15 and 20%).
In this experiment two hundred unsexed broiler chicks
(Lohman) were randomized into 20 groups each containing ten
birds of approximately similar weight. The group of chicks
allocated to one of the five treatments, each with four replicates.
The birds were kept in pens (1 m2) in an open-sided deep litter
poultry house and offered mash feed and water ad libitum.
In this experiment, the five treatments consisted of a control
diet based on sesame and groundnut meals as a protein source
and four other diets in which increasing levels of (5%, 10%, 15%
and 20%) of watermelon seed fullfat were included (Table 4). The
diets were calculated to be isonitrogenous and isoenergetic.
Watermelon seed (undecorticated) were purchased from the
local market. The fullfat seed were ground in a hammer mill to
pass 5 mm sieve. Chemical and proximate analysis of the fullfat
seed was performed (Table 10).
Individual liveweight was recorded at the start and at
weekly interval upto six weeks of age.
Mortality was recorded as it occurred. Feed intake was
recorded weekly. Protein consumed, protein efficiency ratio were
recorded. The average house temperature during the experiment
was 27.5oC. At the end of the experiment three birds were selected
at random from each pen. They were killed by cervical dislocation
and the abdominal fat was excised and weighed, dressing
percentage was also calculated.
4.4.3 Data statistical analysis
4.4.4 Results
The effects of feeding graded levels of watermelon fullfat
seed on performance of broiler chicks is shown in Table (13).
Table (13)
Experiment (4)
Effects of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on performance of broiler chicks.
Level of watermelon fullfat seed
Parameters response variable
5%
10%
15%
20%
42.50 b±1.44
45.00 ab±2.04
43.75 ab±1.25
47.50 a±1.44
1540.00 b±40.82
1687.50 a±29.26
1682.50 a±24.62
1685.00 a±49.24
1705.00 a±23.97
1495.00 b±40.82
1645.00 a±29.79
1637.50 a±24.87
1618.50 a±33.86
1657.50 a±24.20
2595.38 a±50.53
2713.06 a±31.72
2620.00 a±54.43
2728.92 a±56.58
2706.47 a±80.77
1.62 a±0.02
1.51 a±0.02
1.52 b±0.02
1.54 ab±0.03
1.57 ab±0.05
573.59 a±11.17
596.87 a±6.98
581.64 a±12.08
600.26 a±15.28
598.73 a±15.61
2.95 b±0.05
3.24 a±0.09
3.07 ab±0.05
3.20 a±0.11
3.08 ab±0.08
Dressing %
Abdominal fat %
Mortality %
67.88 b±0.80
0.94 ab±0.02
7.50 ab±4.79
70.98 a±0.53
0.79 b±0.06
2.50 ab±2.50
70.41 a±0.59
0.97 a±0.05
0.00 b±0.00
70.05 a±0.29
0.82 ab±0.04
10.00 ab±7.07
69.39 ab±1.11
0.92 ab±0.08
15.00 a±6.45
59
0%
45.00ab±0.00
Initial body weight
(g/bird/week0)
Final body weight
(g/bird/week6)
Weight gain
(g/bird/6weeks)
Feed intake
(g/bird/6weeks)
(g feed/g body weight gain/bird)
Protein consumed
(g/bird/6weeks)
Means with the same letters are not significantly different.
Final bodyweight (g/bird/week 6)
Compared to the control, significant differences (P < 0.05)
were recorded among the dietary levels. Inclusion of 20%
watermelon seed fullfat recorded the highest final body weight
(1705.00±23.97).
Weight gain (g/bird/ 6 weeks)
The highest and significant weight gain (P < 0.05) was
recorded in birds receiving 20% watermelon fullfat in their
ration, compared to the birds fed with the control diet. There
were no significant differences between birds receiving 5%, 10%
and 15% watermelon fullfat (P > 0.05).
Feed intake (g/bird/ 6 weeks)
There was no significant difference between the control and
the birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% watermelon fullfat (P
> 0.05). Also there was no significant difference between birds
receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% watermelon fullfat.
Feed conversion ratio (g feed/ g/body weight)
There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) between the
control and the birds receiving 5%,15% and 20% watermelon
fullfat. The same trend was (P > 0.05) also recorded between birds
receiving 5%, 15% and 20% watermelon fullfat. A significant
difference
(P < 0.05) exist between the control and birds
receiving 10% watermelon fullfat seed.
Protein consumed (g/bird/ 6 weeks)
No significant differences were recorded (P > 0.05) between
the control and birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%
watermelon fullfat. Also the same pattern (P > 0.05) is recorded
between birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% watermelon
fullfat.
There was a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the
control and birds receiving 5% and 15% watermelon fullfat.
There was no significant difference in protein efficiency ratio (P >
0.05) between the control and bird receiving 10% and 20%
watermelon fullfat. Also there were no significant differences (P >
0.05) between birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20%
watermelon fullfat.
Dressing %
There was significant difference (P < 0.05) between the
control and birds receiving the graded levels of (5% 10% and
15%) watermelon fullfat in their diets. There was no significant
difference (P > 0.05) recorded between the birds receiving the
graded levels of watermelon fullfat.
Abdominal fat %
control and birds receiving (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%)
watermelon fullfat, but a significant differences was recorded
between the birds receiving 5% and 10% watermelon fullfat.
Mortality %
Increasing levels of watermelon fullfat in broiler diets had
no significant effect on mortality. Mortality that occurred during
the experimental period is due to heat stress.
4.4.5 Discussion
In the present experiment, inclusion of up to 20%
watermelon fullfat seed did not affect feed intake (P > 0.05),
because the level of fibre in watermelon fullfat seed based diet is
less than the level known to reduce feed intake (> 10%) (NRC
1994). This agrees with the findings of Sawya et al. (1986) who
recommended that watermelon seed should not be included at
levels higher than 20%, because these levels brings up the fibre
content of the ration to be over 10% thus reduce feed intake.
Results obtained in this experiment confirm that inclusion
of watermelon fullfat seed up to 15% did not adversely affect
broiler chicks growth. These results were comparable to those
obtained by (Sawaya 1986) and Rajab (2002). The former found
that chicks fed rations containing fullfat Citrullus seed upto 15%
did not adversely affect growth. However, the latter stated that
inclusion of fullfat watermelon seed adversely affected weight gain
and final body weight of broiler chicks.
In the present experiment, a significant reduction in protein
efficiency ratio (PER) was observed in birds receiving 5%
watermelon fullfat seed in their diet which is in line with the
results obtained by Rajab (2002).
In the present experiment, watermelon seed were not
subjected to heat treatment, but the results obtained are
comparable to Rajab (2002) who reported that chicks fed roasted
watermelon seed based diets whether high or low levels were
equally efficient in converting the feed into gain.
4.5 Effects of feeding watermelon seed meal on performance
of layers pullets
(Experiment Five)
4.5.1 Introduction
The scarcity and high price of protein supplements for
animal feeding initiated studies of all possible sources of protein
for continued efficient livestock production.
The nutritional value of watermelon seed meal and seed has
been evaluated in previous studies (Pal and Mahadevan 1968),
(Studies of animal nutrition centre in India 1965-1966).
Protein requirements of laying hens have been studied
under a wide variety of conditions and with several diets. In
general these studies indicated that a satisfactory level of egg
production can be supported by dietary protein level ranging
from 12.4% to 19% or from 11 to 19 gm per hen per day.
The main purpose of this investigation was to assess the
effect of inclusion of watermelon seed meal as a source of protein
on performance and egg quality characteristics of White Leghorn
hens.
4.5.2.1 Housing
One battery was used. It consists of 20 full wire cages
galvanized after welding distributed on four tiers as five
cages/tier. Each cage was of 35.5 cm width, 41 cm height (front),
25 x 50 mm wire mesh, 2.05 mm thickness wire and 4 mm door.
The cage capacity was three birds and the cage surface/bird was
408.3 sq mm. The batteries were put in an open-sided poultry
house.
4.5.2.2 Experimental birds
60 Single Comb White Leghorn hens (20 week old) were
used in the present study. The birds were selected on basis of body
weight and transferred to battery cages.
They were then divided into five batches (treatments) of 12
birds each. Each batch was further divided into four groups
(replicates) each containing three birds.
The experimental diets were formulated to be
isonitrogenous and isocaloric to meet the nutrient requirements
for egg production outlined by National Research Council (1984).
A computer program was used for the formulation of rations. The
composition of ingredients used in the diet formulation is shown in
Table (5).
Five diets were formulated by inclusion of five levels (0, 5,
10, 15, 20%) of watermelon meal to the control diet.
The diets were offered at random each to one of the five
batches of birds.
4.5.2.4 Management
a) Drinking System
For the drinking system there are two tanks for each
battery one for the two upper tiers and the other for the two lower
ones. The water is distributed to the cages by pipes ended with
nipple drinkers/cage. Under each nipple there is a drip-cup.
b) Feeding system
The birds were fed on the control diet for an adaptation
period of two weeks. Then they were given the experimental diets
mash described earlier in Table (5). The birds were fed on ad lib
basis in a feed cart put in front of each tier separated for each
replicate. The feed cart ended with a v-shaped trough to reduce
feed waste.
c) Vaccination
All the birds were vaccinated against Newcastle disease at
28 days of age and repeated at 4 months. They were also
vaccinated against Fowlpox at the age of three months.
4.5.2.5 Measurements
Eggs were collected daily and their number were recorded.
Samples were taken weekly, weighed and used for egg quality
measurements. Egg mass, albumin height, egg-shape index and
egg-shell thickness were recorded weekly. Feed consumed was
calculated on a weekly basis by weighing the left over, subtracting
it from the measured total amount deposited. Feed conversion
ratio (kg feed/kg egg); hen-day egg production (%) were
measured.
Statistical analysis
4.5.3 Results
The effects of feeding graded levels of watermelon meal on
egg quality and quantity during 12 weeks period of the
experiment was shown in Table (14).
Feed intake (gm/hen/day)
control and birds receiving diets containing (5, 10 and 20%)
watermelon meal. A significant difference appeared (P < 0.05) in
birds receiving (15%) watermelon meal in diets compared to the
control. At this level (15%) it appeared that inclusion of
watermelon meal suppress feed utilization.
(kg feed/kg egg)
There were highly significant differences (P < 0.01) in feed
conversion ratio (kgs feed/kgs egg) between the control and hens
receiving (5, 10, 15 and 20%) watermelon meal. There was no
significant difference (P > 0.05) between hens receiving the graded
levels of watermelon meal.
Egg shell thickness (mm)
There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) recorded
between the hens receiving the five treatment diets.
Egg shape index (%)
No significant differences (P > 0.05) were recorded between
the hens receiving the graded levels of diets.
Hen-day egg production (%)
There was a significant increase in hen-day egg production
(P < 0.05) between the birds receiving diets containing 10%
watermelon seed meal and the birds receiving 0.0%, 5% and 20%
watermelon meal in their diets.
Hen-housed egg production %
A significant increase in hen-housed egg production was
recorded (P < 0.05) between the birds fed with 15% watermelon
meal and the birds receiving 0.0%, 5%, 10% and 20%
watermelon meal in their rations. There were no significant
differences between the control and birds receiving 5%, 10% and
20% watermelon meal in their diets.
Egg weight (grams)
There was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the
meal in their diets, and also the same result was recorded among
the birds receiving 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% watermelon meal in
their diets.
Egg mass (grams)
A nonsignificant (P > 0.05) increase was observed in the egg
mass between birds fed 10% watermelon seed meal in their diet
and these receiving 0.0%, 5%, 10% and 20%. There were no
significant differences between control and the birds receiving
5%, 15%, and 20% watermelon meal in their diets.
Albumin height (mm) : There were no significant (P > 0.05)
differences recorded among the hens receiving the graded levels
of the diets.
Mortality
Increasing the levels of watermelon meal in laying hen diets
had no significant effect on mortality. Death which occurred
during the experimental period was due to cannibalism.
4.5.4 Discussion
The improvement in hen-day egg production observed in
hens fed 10% watermelon seed meal, hen-housed egg production
observed in the group given 15% indicate that watermelon seed
meal can be used in laying hen diet with no adverse effect on egg
production. This was in line with the results obtained by
(Ogunmodede and Ogyunlela 1971), they reported that upon
inclusion of (6% and 10%) of watermelon seed oil to the diet of
two breeds of pullets, white Plymouth Rock W.P.R and Rhode
Island Red R.I.R, an improvement in egg production in W.P.R
was recorded. In addition 6% watermelon seed oil improved the
egg size in R.I.R, whereas 10% did improve the egg shell thickness
in both breeds, the latter observation was not in line with the
results obtained in this study, whereas Ogunmodede and
Ogyunlela found that 6% dietary watermelon seed oil reduces
calcium absorption in W.P.R pullets and at 10% enhanced
calcium absorption in both breeds.
The results of the present study suggest for practical laying
hens diets watermelon seed meal can be included upto 10%.
As a conclusion watermelon seed meal protein maintains
normal production of laying hens.
4.6 Effects of feeding watermelon fullfat seed on
performance
of layer pullets
(Experiment six)
4.6.1 Introduction
Watermelon, especially, the desert type may remain fresh
until the start of the next rainy season. Kernel of watermelon seed,
as reported by Alkhalifa (1995), contained about 40.5%, 24.5%
and 39.0% crude protein for an Egyptian, Iranian and Chinese
varieties respectively.
The objective of this experiment was to assess the effect of
inclusion of watermelon seed fullfat as a source of protein on
performance and egg quality characteristics of White Leghorn
Hens.
4.6.2.1 Birds, housing and experiment conduct
60 Single Comb White Leghorn hens were housed in one
battery which were described earlier in experiment 4. Five dietary
treatments, arising from 0.0, 5%, 10%, 15% and 20% levels of
watermelon seed fullfat were used. The birds were selected on
basis of body weight and transferred to battery cages, they were
then divided into five batches (treatments) of 12 birds each. Each
batch was further divided into four groups (replicates) each
containing three birds.
The experimental diets were formulated to be
isonitrogenous and isoenergetic to meet the nutrient requirement
for egg production. A computer program was used in the
formulation of the ration
(Win Feed 2.8). The nutrient
composition of ingredients used in the diet formulation was
(calculated and determined analysis) shown in
Table (6).
Five diets were formulated by inclusion of five levels (0.0%,
5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) of watermelon seed fullfat to the control
diet. The diets were offered at random each to one of the five
batches of birds.
4.6.2.3 Measurements
Eggs were collected daily and their numbers were recorded.
Samples were taken weekly, weighed and used for egg quality
measurement. Egg mass, albumin height, egg-shape index and
egg-shell thickness were recorded weekly. Feed consumed was
calculated on a weekly basis by weighing the left over, subtracting
it from the measured total amount deposited. Feed conversion
ratio (kg feed/kg egg), hen day egg production (%) and hen
housed egg production were measured.
Statistical analysis
following a significant t-test (P < 0.05)
4.6.3 Results
The effects of feeding graded levels of watermelon fullfat
seed on egg quality and quantity during 12 weeks period of the
experiment are shown in Table (15).
There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in feed intake
between the birds fed 20% watermelon fullfat seed in their diets
and those birds fed (0.0%, 5%, 10% and 15%) watermelon fullfat.
But no significant difference (P > 0.05) was recorded between the
control and birds fed with 5%, 10% and 15% watermelon fullfat
seed.
Feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg egg)
control and birds fed (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%) watermelon
fullfat seed in their diets.
Egg shape index (%)
There was a significant decrease (P < 0.05) between the
control (95.220±2.528) and the birds fed the graded levels of
watermelon fullfat seed. No significant difference (P > 0.05) was
recorded between birds receiving the 5%, 10, 15 and 20% levels of
watermelon fullfat in their diets.
control and birds receiving the graded levels of watermelon fullfat
seed. Also no significant differences exist among the birds
receiving the experimental diets.
Egg mass (grams)
fullfat seed in their diets.
Albumin height (mm)
There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) exist
between the control and the birds receiving the experimental
diets. The same results were recorded among the birds receiving
the experimental diets.
Egg weight (grams)
There were no significant differences (P > 0.05) exist
between the control and the birds receiving 5%, 15% and 20%
fullfat seed in their diets. A similar response was also observed
among birds (5%, 15% and 20%). But a significant difference (P
< 0.05) exist between the control and birds receiving 10% WMFS.
Hen day egg production (%)
There was a significant increase in hen-day egg production
(P < 0.05) between the birds receiving 5% watermelon fullfat in
their diets and the birds receiving 20% watermelon fullfat in their
diets. A slight significant reduction in the hen-day egg production
(P < 0.05) existed between the control and birds receiving 5%
watermelon fullfat in their diets. There were no significant
differences (P > 0.05) between the control and birds receiving
(10% and 15%) watermelon fullfat in their diets.
Hen housed egg production (%)
fullfat in their diets. Also there were no significant differences (P >
0.05) among the birds receiving (5%, 10%, 15% and 20%)
watermelon fullfat in their diets.
4.6.4 Discussion
In the present experiment watermelon fullfat seed included
at higher percentage improve hen day egg production, egg mass
and increase feed intake. These results were in line with the
findings of Ogunmodede and Ogunlela (1971). They found that
inclusion of 10% watermelon seed improved egg production, egg
size in two breeds of pullets (White Plymouth Roch W.P.R and
Rhode Island Red R.I.R).
Feed conversion ratio was improved as percentage of
inclusion of watermelon fullfat seed increase but egg shape index
was reduced by increasing the percentage inclusion of watermelon
fullfat seed.
Egg shell thickness was not improved by the increasing
percentage of inclusion of watermelon fullfat seed, this finding
was not in line with the findings of Ogunmodede and Ogunlela
(1971), who stated that at 10% inclusion of watermelon seed, egg
shell thickness increased due to the fact that calcium absorption
was enhanced. However, they stated that 6% dietary watermelon
seed reduced calcium absorption in W.P.R.
From the results of this study inclusion of 10% watermelon
fullfat was recommended for laying hens.
CHAPTER FIVE
Economic Appraisal
Feed conversion (kg feed/kg egg), (kg feed/kg body weight
gain) and the cost of diets with graded levels of watermelon seed
meal and fullfat are shown in Tables (16, 17, 18 and 19)
respectively. The diets with the higher levels of watermelon seed
meal or fullfat were cheaper than the control diet. Therefore the
cost/kg feed in the diet with 20% watermelon seed meal in both
broilers and layers rations was lower than the control diet by LS
49 and L.S 31.5 respectively.
The diets with higher levels of watermelon seed fullfat in
broilers rations are more or less having the same cost. But the
diets with higher levels of watermelon seed fullfat in layers ration
is cheaper than the control diet. The cost/kg feed in the diets with
20% watermelon seed fullfat in layers ration was lower than the
control diet by L.S 7.
However, the broilers diets with the lower levels of
watermelon fullfat seed had better conversion ratios. The best
FCR is at 10% inclusion of watermelon seed meal and at 5%
inclusion of watermelon seed fullfat, as a result the cost/kg meat is
L.S 1048.43 and L.S 1067.95 which is lower than the control diet
by LS 26.59 and
LS 77.79 respectively.
Inclusion of 10% watermelon seed meal and 20%
watermelon seed fullfat in layers rations had the best feed
conversion ratio, as a result the cost/kg eggs is lower than the
control diet by L.S 1774.32 and L.S 247.92 respectively.
CHAPTER SIX
General Discussion and Conclusions
6.1 General Discussion
Proximate analysis results showed that watermelon seed
meal or fullfat had a relatively high protein quantity Tables (7, 8
and 9), (25.1 – 27.03%) and (17.7 – 20.1%) respectively. This is in
line with results obtained by Mustafa et al. (1992) who recorded
18.96% CP in whole watermelon seed, Zhang et al. (1990) who
found 26.77 –28.15% CP in watermelon seed. Yousuf (1992) also
recorded 28.04% CP in watermelon seed meal.
Amino acids recorded in the present study were 0.25%
cystine, 0.59% lysine, 0.52% methionine and 0.65 threonine for
watermelon fullfat seed. 0.28% cystine, 0.66% lysine, 0.64%
methionine and 0.81% threonine for watermelon seed meal.
Oyenuga and Fetuga (1975) compared the amino acid profile of
watermelon seed meal with that of soybean meal and whole hens
egg (Table 2), they recorded higher percentage of tryptophan and
aromatic amino acids.
The present study revealed ash content of 2.4% and 6.1%
for watermelon fullfat seed and meal respectively. This is
comparable to the results obtained by Lasztity et al. (1986),
Mustafa et al. (1972) and Hayat (1994) who reported ash content
of 1.85 – 5.2% in watermelon seed. Minerals content of
watermelon seed as reported by Nwokolo and Sim (1987) for
Egusi watermelon seed was 0.803% P, 0.083% Ca, 0.388% Mg,
0.585% K, which was not in line with results of the present study
(355 mg/kg Ca, 0.33% P, 55 mg/kg Na). This discrepancy may be
due to differences in watermelon seed samples, agronomical
practice, variety and area of production.
Feed intake and feed conversion ratio were not affected by
inclusion of watermelon seed meal to broiler chicks rations which
indicate a good palatability. The same was also observed in broiler
chicks receiving various levels of watermelon fullfat seed, which
confirm the palatability characters of watermelon fullfat seed.
No adverse effects were seen in fast growing broiler chick
upto 6-week of age when watermelon fullfat seed (WMFS) and
watermelon seed meal (WMSM) were included at 20% of the diet
on nutrient basis. A similar response was reported for growing
calves and lactating cows fed 20% WMSM. Feeding WMSM at
15% was shown to depress growth and feed efficiency whereas
chicks fed WMFS at the same level showed normal growth
(Sawaya et al. 1986).
Reduction of feed intake associated with inclusion of
watermelon seed to layers rations at levels higher than 10%
(Sawaya et al. 1986) is consistent with the findings of the present
experiments.
Inclusion of watermelon seed meal at 10% improved hen
day egg production, where at higher levels (20%) the production
is better than the control diet. This is in line with the results
obtained by Ogunmondede and Ogyundela (1971), who
recognized an improvement in egg production in two breeds of
birds upon inclusion of watermelon seed oil at 6% and 10%.
Most egg quality characteristics were not affected by
inclusion of watermelon seed meal or fullfat.
6.2 Conclusions
The overall results of this study indicate that:1.
The levels of crude protein in watermelon seed meal and
fullfat seed were high enough to allow its inclusion in poultry
diets as a protein source. However, the relatively low levels of
lysine and methionine dictate a limit on its inclusion in poultry
diets, unless the watermelon seed based diet is supplemented
with lysine and methionine.
2.
Digestibility coefficients of crude protein for the birds fed
watermelon seed meal is 43.74 – 52.75%.
3.
The present study suggested that inclusion of watermelon
meal in broiler diets upto 10% is more practical, while
inclusion of upto 15% watermelon fullfat seed did not
adversely affect broilers growth.
4.
In layers pullets diets watermelon seed meal can be included
upto 10%, while watermelon fullfat seed can be included upto
20%.
5.
Mortality observed throughout the experimental periods
was due to the adverse climatic conditions (high temperature)
and cannibalism, rather than dietary factor which indicated
that watermelon seed feeds did not have harmful effects.
6.
The economic value of inclusion of watermelon seed meal
and fullfat in layer diets or broiler diets depends on its rate of
inclusion.
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Table (14)
Experiment No. (5)
Effects of feeding water melon seed meal on performance of layers pullets.
Overall results.
Level of watermelon seed meal
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Henday egg production (%)
ab
68.96 ±2.68
b
63.44 ±2.81
a
75.00 ±1.92
a
70.84 ±2.17
67.86 ab±2.327
Henhoused egg production (%)
62.80 b±2.82
59.37 b±3.15
59.85 b±2.74
70.83 a±2.17
55.36 b±2.320
Egg weight (grams)
47.61 a±0.87
48.83 a±0.56
47.61 a±0.45
48.36 a±0.57
47.74 a±0.564
Albumin height (mm)
8.014 a±0.15
8.08 a±0.19
8.25 a±0.18
8.15 a±0.19
7.99 a±0.214
Egg mass (grams)
31.87 ab±1.53
30.88 a±1.37
35.30 a±1.03
34.14 ab±0.97
32.51 ab±1.289
87.96 a±7.35
82.64 a±6.31
83.01 a±6.84
75.68 b±5.62
89.00 a±7.187
Feed conversion ratio (kgs feed/kgs eggs)
3.74 b±2.19
1.56 a±0.13
0.91 a±0.14
1.78 a±0.03
1.01 a±0.156
Egg shape index (%)
74.16 a±0.55
74.09 a±2.19
75.84 a±0.45
75.59 a±0.43
73.13 a±2.398
0.51 a±0.02
0.53 a±0.01
0.53 a±0.02
0.55 a±0.18
0.53 a±0.02
* Means with the same letters are not significantly different.
* Starting from week five till week twelve.
67
Parameters
Table (15)
Experiment (6)
Effects of feeding water melon fullfat seed on performance of layers pullets.
Overall results.
Level of watermelon fullfat seed
0%
5%
10%
15%
20%
Henday egg production (%)
ab
70.07 ±2.96
b
62.81 ±3.57
ab
71.54 ±2.78
ab
69.48 ±2.81
76.64 a±2.51
Henhoused egg production (%)
65.89 a±2.99
62.24 a±3.53
62.91 a±3.98
64.43 a±2.77
62.50 a±3.56
Egg weight (grams)
47.99 ab±0.77
49.69 a±0.54
45.36 c±0.64
49.04 ab±0.78
47.36 b±0.59
Albumin height (mm)
7.86 a±0.30
7.70 a±0.47
7.16 a±0.38
8.16 a±0.22
8.07 a±0.30
Egg mass (grams)
33.08 a±1.51
31.50 a±1.96
32.33 a±1.47
34.27 a±1.60
36.38 a±1.39
80.96 a±6.39
77.47 a±5.79
84.95 a±6.73
85.02 a±6.78
91.57 b±7.34
Feed conversion ratio (kgs feed/kgs eggs)
1.56 a±0.11
1.77 a±0.05
1.60 a±0.15
1.53 a±0.12
1.17 a±0.16
Egg shape index (%)
95.22 b±2.53
68.38 a±3.98
69.56 a±3.24
75.19 a±0.49
74.00 a±2.41
0.50 a±0.023
0.51 a±0.04
0.51 a±0.03
0.53 a±0.18
0.48 a±0.02
* Means with the same letters are not significantly different.
* Starting from week five till week twelve.
74
Parameters
Ingredients
W.M meal
Sorghum
Wheat bran
Sesame meal
Groundnut meal
Concentrate
Oyster shell
Salt
Vit min. premix
Total
Cost/kg feed
F.C.R
Cost/kg meat
0.0%
0.00
65.00
2.00
14.00
12.25
5.00
1.50
0.25
100
5%
5.00
65.00
10.00
13.25
5.00
1.50
0.25
100
Diets
10%
10.00
62.00
9.00
12.25
5.00
1.50
0.25
100
15%
15.00
60.00
3.00
15.25
5.00
1.50
0.25
100
20%
20.00
57.00
2.00
14.25
5.00
1.50
0.25
100
0.0%
0.00
32500
700
8400
6125
22500
375
125
70725
707.25
1.52
1075.02
5%
1500
32500
6000
6625
22500
375
125
69625
69.625
1.63
1134.88
Price (L.S)
10%
15%
3000
4500
31000
30000
5400
1800
6125
7625
22500
22500
375
375
125
125
68525
66925
685.25
669.25
1.53
1.61
1048.43
1077.49
Ingredient prices (LS/kg) W.M meal 300, sorghum 500, wheat bran 350, sesame meal 600, groundnut meal 500, concentrate 4500,
oystershell 250, salt 500.
According to the 2004 Khartoum market prices.
20%
6000
28500
1200
7125
22500
375
125
65825
658.25
1.69
1112.42
77
Table (16)
Feed conversion and production cost of broilers chicks fed
Graded levels of watermelon seed meal during 6 weeks.
Ingredients
W.M fullfat
Sorghum
Wheat bran
Sesame meal
Groundnut meal
Concentrate
Oyster shell
Salt
Vit min. premix
Total
Cost/kg feed
F.C.R
Cost/kg meat
0.0%
0.00
65.00
2.00
14.00
12.25
5.00
1.5
0.25
100
5%
5.00
61.00
2.00
14.00
11.25
5.00
1.5
0.25
100
Diets
10%
10.00
58.00
13.00
12.25
5.00
1.5
0.25
100
15%
15.00
55.00
11.00
12.25
5.00
1.5
0.25
100
20%
20.00
50.00
12.00
11.25
5.00
1.5
0.25
100
0.0%
0.00
32500
700
8400
6125
22500
375
125
70725
707.25
1.62
1145.74
5%
2500
30500
700
8400
5625
22500
375
125
70725
707.25
1.51
1067.95
Price (L.S)
10%
15%
5000
7500
29000
27500
7800
6600
6125
6125
22500
22500
375
375
125
125
-.
70925
70725
709.25
707.25
1.52
1.54
1078.06
1089.16
Ingredient prices (LS/kg) W.M fullfat 500, sorghum 500, wheat bran 350, sesame meal 600, groundnut meal 500, concentrate 4500,
oystershell 250, salt 500.
20%
10000
25000
7200
5625
22500
375
125
70825
708.25
1.57
1111.95
78
Table (17)
Feed conversion and production cost of broilers chicks fed
Graded levels of watermelon fullfat seed during 6 weeks.
Ingredients
W.M meal
Sorghum
Wheat bran
Sesame meal
Groundnut meal
Concentrate
Oyster shell
Salt
Vit min. premix
Total
Cost/kg feed
F.C.R
Cost/kg eggs
0.0%
0.00
62.00
9.00
7.00
7.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
5%
5.00
62.00
6.00
6.00
6.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
Diets
10%
10.00
62.00
4.00
5.00
4.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
15%
15.00
61.00
3.00
3.00
3.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
20%
20.00
62.00
2.00
1.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
0.0%
0.00
31000
3150
4200
3875
17500
2250
125
62100
621.00
3.744
2325.02
5%
15.00
31000
2100
3600
3375
17500
2250
125
61450
614.50
1.557
956.77
Price (L.S)
10%
15%
3000
4500
31000
31000
1400
1050
3000
1800
2375
1875
17500
17500
2250
2250
125
125
60650
60100
606.60
601.00
0.908
1.779
550.70
1069.18
Ingredient prices (LS/kg) W.M meal 300, sorghum 500, wheat bran 350, sesame meal 600, groundnut meal 500, concentrate 3500,
oyster shell 250, salt 500.
20%
6000
3100
1200
875
17500
2250
125
58950
589.50
1.007
593.63
79
Table (18)
Feed conversion and production cost of laying hens fed
Graded levels of watermelon seed meal during 12 weeks.
Ingredients
W.M fullfat
Sorghum
Wheat bran
Sesame meal
Groundnut meal
Concentrate
Oyster shell
Salt
Vit min. premix
Total
Cost/kg feed
F.C.R
Cost/kg egg
0.0%
0.00
62.00
9.00
7.00
7.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
5%
5.00
59.00
11.00
5.00
5.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
Diets
10%
10.00
55.00
11.00
4.00
5.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
15%
15.00
50.00
11.00
5.00
4.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
20%
20.00
47.00
11.00
3.00
4.75
5.00
9.00
0.25
100
-
0.0%
0.00
31000
3150
4200
3875
17500
2250
125
62100
621
1.559
968.14
5%
2500
29500
3850
3000
2875
17500
2250
125
61600
616
1.765
1087.24
Price (L.S)
10%
15%
5000
7500
27500
25000
3850
3850
2400
3000
2875
2395
17500
17500
2250
2250
125
125
61500
61600
615
616
1.596
1.533
981.54
944.328
20%
10000
23500
3850
1800
2375
17500
2250
125
61400
614
1.173
720.22
Ingredient prices (LS/kg) W.M fullfat 500, W.M meal 300, sorghum 500, wheat bran 350, sesame meal 600,
groundnut meal 500, concentrate 3500, Oyster shell 250, common salt 500.
80
Table (19)
Feed conversion and production cost of laying hens fed
Graded levels of watermelon fullfat seed during 12 weeks.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
Time1
-
0.5
18.0
25.0
38.0
47.0
51.0
51.5
53.0
54.0
54.5
56.0
Flow2
0.8
0.8
0.8
0.8
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
1.0
0.8
0.8
Eluent A3
100
100
80
61
61
10
10
0
0
100
100
100
Eluent B
0
0
20
39
39
90
90
100
100
0
0
0
Step
1)
2)
3)
Minutes after start.
Flow rate in ml/min.
(v/v)
37
Table (7)
Program for gradient elution.

EVALUATION OF WATERMELON SEED MEAL

Transcription

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