Chemical composition and in vitro gas production of African bread fruit (Treculia africana) var. Decne

Samples of African breadfruit (Treculia africana) fruits and foliage were collected across different seasons from different locations within Abeokuta, Ogun State. Nigeria. The fruits were separated into husk, testa and seed and analyzed for proximate and fibre composition. The dry matter (DM) content values which ranged from 88.33-90.80% (p>0.05) were recorded for the husk, testa and seed while a lower range of 34.25-36.03% was recorded for the foliage across the seasons. The crude protein (CP) content followed the same trend as the DM with its values ranging between 16.08 and 18.02% (p>0.05) for the different parts and across the seasons. The ether extract (EE) values were however significantly different (p<0.05) among the different parts while the ash content did not vary significantly between the different parts and across seasons. The seasonal in vitro gas production of 56.75ml/200mg DM was recorded for the seed and it was significantly higher (p<0.05) than that of other plant parts. The result of the correlation analysis between extent of gas production and the various chemical constituents of T. africana plant parts indicates that there were both positive and negative relationships. Significant correlations were observed between the in vitro gas and the ADF, cellulose and hemicellulose contents of testa and leaf. The result showed the presence of highly fermentable substrates in the seeds and leaves of T. africana.