PROTEIN AND LIPID COMPOSITION OF INDIGENOUS OILSEEDS IN GHANA AND THEIR POTENTIAL FOR USE IN ANIMAL FEEDS

Environmental and cost considerations have led to increased research to find alternative feed ingredients for use in the production of animal feeds. In West Africa and Ghana to be specific, there are various indigenous plants that have potential for use in animal feeds. However, little is known about their nutritional value due to limited research in this area. This study sought to identify and determine the nutritional composition of some indigenous seeds and their potential for use in animal feeds.

A survey was conducted in four regions in Ghana and a total of 20 oilseeds were identified with seven selected for the study. They were; Cucumeropsis mannii, Citrillus lanatus, Parkia biglobosa, Cucumis metuliferus, Cucurbita spp., Sesamum indicum and Lageneria siceraria. Protein content  for the selected seeds ranged from 21-39% and a total of 22 amino acids were detected; the essential amino acid profiles were good and comparable to soybean meal -particularly that of Cucumeropsis mannii, Curbita spp and Cucumis metuliferus. The seeds had relatively high levels of arginine (2.5-5%) but rather lower levels of methionine (0.2-0.8%). The lipid levels ranged from 17-53%; the seeds were rich in oleic acid (n-9) (14-41%) and linoleic acid (n-6) (34-64%). However, linolenic acid (n-3) levels were less than 1%.

The results show that the seeds have relatively high levels of protein and lipids and have the potential for use in animal feed. However, there is a need for further studies on the availability (digestibility) of the essential nutrients, and content of anti-nutritional factors.