Moringa oleifera leaf meal as a protein source in lactatinggoat’s diets: Feed intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation,milk yield and composition, and its fatty acids profile

Abstract

Sixteen lactating Anglo-Nubian goats (36.2 ± 0.7 kg BW) were used in quadruplicated 4 × 4Latin square design to evaluate the inclusion of Moringa oleifera leaf meal (MLM) in theirdiets. M. oleifera leaf meal inclusion rates were 0 (M0 or control, no MLM, only sesamemeal), 10 (M10), 15 (M15) and 20% (M20), replacing sesame meal by 0 (control), 50, 75and 100%, respectively. Goats fed on M15 and M20 diets showed increased feed intakeof most nutrients (P < 0.05). Moreover, dry matter, organic matter, and fibre digestibilitieswere increased (P < 0.05) with M15 diet. Goats fed on M15 diet showed increased (P < 0.05)ruminal pH, volatile fatty acids and propionate concentrations compared to the control diet.Blood glutamic-pyruvic transaminase concentration was increased (P < 0.05), and urea-Nand cholesterol concentrations were decreased (P < 0.05) in goats fed MLM diets. Milk yieldand energy corrected milk were increased (P < 0.01) in goats fed MLM, and the greatestincrease was observed in the group fed the M15 diet. Feeding MLM also affected milk com-position increasing (P < 0.05) total solids and lactose contents. Milk components outputswere increased in goats fed MLM compared to control (P < 0.01). The relative percentage ofsaturated fatty acids was decreased (P < 0.05), and those of unsaturated (mono- or poly-)fatty acids and of conjugated linoleic acid were increased (P < 0.05) in the milk of goatsfed M15 and M20 diets. M. oleifera can replace sesame meal as a protein source in diets forlactating goats. The inclusion of MLM increased feed intake, enhanced nutrient digestibilityand ruminal fermentation, increased milk yield and modified milk fatty acid profile pos-itively. An inclusion rate of 15% MLM (replacing 75% of sesame meal) in the diet was themost suitable level for lactating goats under the current experiment conditions.