A review of nutritional and toxicological implications of castor bean (Ricinus communis L.) meal in animal feeding systems

The nutrient‐rich defatted castor meal has been tested as a potential source of protein in diets of many livestock species but has limitation due to challenges of toxins. This review was conducted to compile the relevant research information on advances in the use of raw and differently processed castor seed meal in animal feed. In this article, distribution and uses of castor and its products were identified. Research findings on the nutrients profile, principal toxins, various detoxification strategies, nutritional value and toxicity on common livestock species were compiled and reviewed. The defatted seed meal had crude protein range of 32–48%, gross energy of about 3200 kcal/kg. Ricin content was 9.3 mg/g seed, and the average RCA content was 9.9 mg/g. The meal had high activity of lectin, which produced agglutination at about 4.70 mg/ml minimum assays. Reports of detoxification strategies showed varying degrees of success but high pH, moist heating and microbial techniques appeared to exert greater effect on deactivating ricin. Detoxification strategy for the allergen component is inconclusive. Tannins and the phenolic contents were present at trace level and did not constitute notable threat. It was concluded that castor seed holds great potential as feedstuff when upgraded but such upgrading must be safe, cost‐effective and labour efficient for commercial acceptability.     

Comparative Utilization of Different Fibre Feedstuffs by Weaning/Growing Pigs in the Tropics

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of feeding different fibre feedstuffs on the performance, nutrient utilization and economics of production of weaning/growing pigs. Five fibre feedstuffs--palm kernel cake （PKC）, wheat offal （WO）, corn bran （CB）, rice bran （RB） and brewers＇ dried grain （BDG） were used at 25% in each of the five experimental diets that were formulated in this study. Twenty weaner pigs （12.75 ± 0.6 kg） were used for the growth study while 15 pigs （14.95 ± 0.57 kg） were used for the digestibility study. The design of the experiment was completely randomized. The results of the study showed that the performance of the experimental animals were significantly influenced （P 〈 0.05） by the dietary treatments. The apparent digestibility of the crude protein, crude fiber and ether extract showed significant differences （P 〈 0.05） while there was no significant difference （P 〉 0.05） in the apparent digestibility of their dry matter, ash and nitrogen free extract. The diet that contained WO had the best growth response and apparent nutrient digestibility. Results of economics of production also showed that diet with WO gave the best （P 〈 0.05） value in feed cost/＇kg gain and net profit/animal. It can be concluded from this study that although all the animals fed the different fibre feedstuffs performed satisfactorily on all the parameters monitored, but for optimum growth, apparent nutrients digestibility and economics of production. WO should be used as a fibre feedstuff in the diets of weaning/growing pigs in the tropics.     

Identifying “Free” Full-Text Resources in Agriculture,Food and Life Sciences: A Research Study

Interlibrary loan requests in the fields of agricultural, food, and life sciences were analyzed by material type, department, and levels of users. These data were then used to identify the sources for “free” publications which would have satisfied these requests; to identify whether the “free” full-text found are available as.pdf,.html, or.doc documents, etc.; and to identify the top 30 sources from which the “free” items are available. Twenty-four percent of the requested items were found with full-text via Google Scholar. These came from several sources with ResearchGate, NIH.gov, several publishers, and.edu sites being the top ones.     

Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Pinus caribaea growth in relation to soil physico-chemical properties in plantation forests in Northern Nigeria

The present study described the relationship between growth and soil physico-chemical properties in Eucalyptus camaldulensis (Myrtaceae) and Pinus caribaea (Pinaceae), two important species in Nigerian forest recovery programs. The study sites were located in a 17-year-old plantation in a Northern Nigeria forest reserve. The soils at the study sites were nutrient poor compared with other plantations. Growth of E. camaldulensis was positively correlated with exchangeable K content in soils 0–20 cm deep, and negatively correlated with total N and exchangeable Na in soils 20–150 cm deep. Growth of P. caribaea was positively correlated with available P in soils 0–20 cm deep, and volumetric water content in soils 20–150 cm deep. Soils in the top layers were very hard and plinthite layers were well developed at shallow soil depths at most sites. E. camaldulensis exhibited a comparatively high survival rate, and its growth was comparable to that in other plantations. However, the survival rates of P. caribaea were low and its growth was lower than that in other plantations. The survival rate of E. camaldulensis was lower at sites where plinthite layers were found within 50.8 cm of the surface. These results indicated that E. camaldulensis is suitable for afforestation in Northern Nigeria. However, it is not recommended for sites where the plinthite layer occurs at shallow soil depths.