Abstract:
Jatropha curcas, has a great potential to replace soya bean. The main problems are the anti-nutritional factors, which hinder its use as an alternative protein source in the animal feed. The present study was focused on the detoxification of J. curcas seed. Detoxification was carried out using a mixture of aqueous methanol (9:1) and NaOH (0.15%) at 60 ͦC for 30 min. subsequent washing with methanol and then oven dried. Results showed significant detoxification (P>0.05) of J. curcas. The impact of feeding detoxified J. curcas to rats was studied. The detoxified J. curcas seed meal (DJM) at the rate of 25, 50, 75 and 100% was offered to albino rats (n=36) of almost equal weights (45±0.76gm). On blood and serum analysis the white blood cells (WBC) (7.23±0.29, 10.56±0.16, 8.29±0.30, 5.94±0.17, 5.6±0.177 and (7.07±0.27), red blood cells (RBC) count (6.73±0.109, 7.61±0.18, 7.00±0.056, 6.68±0.96, 6.28±0 and .83±0.18), hemoglobin (11.94±0.11, 12.29±0.19, 12.66±0.27, 11.78±0.14, 10.97±0.177 and 10.97±0.177), total protein (5.33±0.09, 5.17±0.86, 4.6±0.096, 4.41±0.109, 4.1±.096 and 3.82±0.13), uric acid (32.25±0.82, 34.83±0.32, 54.83±0.84, 61.75±0.68, 62.36±0.7135 and 26±0.34), creatinine (0.841 ±0.017, 801± .018, 0.841±0.027, 0.833±0.032, 0.801± 0.14 and 1.44±0.049) and LFT (liver function test) including alkaline transaminase (29.2± 0.42, 24.13±0.37, 21.133±0.48 , 32.006±1.39, 75.93± 2.16 and 24.75±0.377), Aspartate transaminase (3.20±1.01 2.08±1.03, 1.25±1.4, 1.33±0.71, 1.82±0.72 and 1.81±1.47) and Alkaline phosphatase (4.96±1.09, 4.14±0.71, 4.79±1.47, 5.30 ±1.5, 5.6±2.3 and 2.08±2.3) didn’t differ significantly mong the experimental groups. A significant increase (P>0.05) in red blood cells and hemoglobin level was observed in 25 (7.61±0.18) and 50% (7.0±0.056) DJM fed groups as compared to control group 6.73±0.0.109). There was an increase in the value of PER (Protein efficiency ratio), TD (True digestibility), NPU (±Net protein utilization) and BV (Biological value) of 25% (0.32±.009, 77.66±.21, 65.33±.17 and 83.42±0.16) and 50% DJM fed rats (0.42±.007, 88.08±.26, 75.5±0.18, 85.10±0.073) as compared to control group (0.36±.004, 90.5±0.22, 75.25±0.17, 83.0±0.14) . Present study indicated that 50% DJM protein fed group has the same performance as the control group and better than other experimental groups, that showed a better efficiency of detoxified J. curcas meal as an alternative livestock feed.
