The Effect of Drying Methods on Chemical Composition and Digestibility of Leucaena Leucocephala Leaves

Abstract

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of drying method on dry matter, organic matter, ash, crude protein, phosphorus, calcium, neutral detergent fibre, acid detergent fibre, in vitro-digestible organic matter and tannin content Leucaena leucocephala leaves. On average Leucaena leucocephala leaves contained 222.2 g/kg DM^-1 crude proteins, 315.7 g/kg DM^-1 neutral detergent fiber concentration, 234.1 g/kg DM¹ acid detergent fiber concentration, 1.85% Ca, 0.198 % P, 23.4 g. kg^-1 tannin concentrations and 54.9% digestibility. It was concluded that L. leucocephala leaves contain adequate amount of nutrients to support microbial growth and to feed animals. Method of drying samples (air-dried, sun-dried and soaked plus sun-dried) showed that sun-drying and soaking plus sun-drying slightly increased the level of dry matter, organic matter, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber. However, the levels of tannin concentration were reduced in sun-dried and soaked samples compared to air dried samples.