Effect of incorporation of ground Prosopis juliflora pods in layer diet on weight gain, egg production, and natural antibody titer in KALRO genetically improved indigenous chicken

Prosopis juliflora: nutritional value, bioactive activity, and potential application in human nutrition

Prosopis juliflora is a xerophytic, nitrogen-fixing plant distributed in arid and semi-arid regions. The fruits of this plant are pods, which have seeds inside, and both pods and seeds have high nutritional value and bioactive potential. Different derivatives can be obtained from the pods and seeds: flour, starch, syrup, protein concentrate, and gums. This review aims to gather information from the literature on P. juliflora. It focuses on the nutritional value, bioactive activity, and technological application of pods, seeds, and their derivatives, highlighting their use in human nutrition and new research perspectives. The pod of P. juliflora can be used in several ways, as it has high levels of nutrients. It is used as a food supplement; it has antimicrobial effects and phytochemicals associated with other bioactive activity. Among the pod derivatives, flour is the most studied and can be widely used in bakery products. The seed of P. juliflora also has high nutritional potential and bioactive activity. Among its other derivatives, the gum stands out and can be used for various purposes in the food industry. To expand the use of pods, seeds, and their derivatives in human nutrition, further studies are needed on chemical composition, bioactive activity, toxicity, and nutritional, bioactive, technological, and sensory effects of their application in food products. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Effects of treating Prosopis juliflora pods with multienzyme, with and without bacterial cultures on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), fermentation kinetics, and performance of growing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the effects of treating Prosopis juliflora pods with multienzyme and bacterial cultures on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), fermentation kinetics, and performance of growing pigs. Experiment one consisted of a pepsin-pancreatine hydrolysis method to simulate, in vitro, the pig digestive system and was followed by in vitro gas production to assess fermentation kinetics. Samples of ground Prosopis pod meal (GPPM) were allocated to four treatments with three replicates each. Treatments included GPPM treated with multienzyme (Natuzyme®) (T1); untreated (GPPM) (T2); GPPM fermented with (Lactobacillus plantarum MTD1 Ecosyl ®) (T3), and GPPM treated using natural fermentation (T4). The second experiment assessed the performance of pigs fed the best treatment from experiment 1. Thirty Landrace × large white crosses of 20 ± 2 kg were allotted to five treatments with six pigs each (replicates). The dietary treatments were PC, 0% GPPM + enzyme; NC, 0% GPPM and 0% enzyme; D1, 10% GPPM + enzyme; D2, 20% GPPM + enzyme; and D3, 30% GPPM + enzyme. A randomized complete block design was used for both experiments. Enzyme treatment (T1) and T3 improved the IVDMD of the GPPM compared to T2 by 3.68% and 1.2%, respectively (p < 0.05). Cumulative gas was highest and Tmax lowest for T1 but significantly different only to T4 (p < 0.05). Average daily gain and intake were highest for pigs fed GPPM up to 10% (PC, D1). Feed conversion ratio increased with the level of GPPM in the diet. The results suggest Prosopis juliflora pods treated with enzymes can be added in pig diets up to 30%.

Prosopis Species—An Invasive Species and a Potential Source of Browse for Livestock in Semi-Arid Areas of South Africa

Globally, there have been differing views on whether the proliferation of invasive species will be of benefit as a livestock feed source or it will have detrimental effects on the ecosystem. The infestation of invasive plants such as Prosopis species does not only affect the groundwater levels but also threatens the grazing capacity and species richness of most of the semi-arid areas around South Africa. Though Prosopis is invasive, it is however of good nutritive value and can serve as an alternative source of protein and minerals for livestock during the dry season. Bush encroachment by browsable invasive species can be controlled through biological methods by using organisms such as livestock. The utilisation of Prosopis through browse benefits livestock production and at the same time reduces its spread, thereby preventing possible environmental harm that may arise. Although several studies have been carried out globally on the assessment of the Prosopis species’ nutritive value and also on the threat of this invasive species to the environment, there is a need to update the state of knowledge on this species, particularly in the context of the semi-arid areas of South Africa where the dry season is characterised by less herbage of poor quality. It is therefore critical to understand whether Prosopis is a beneficial invader, or a detriment that needs to be eradicated. This review will contribute knowledge towards finding practical solutions to controlling Prosopis species and whether utilising Prosopis as a feed source will limit its spread and result in a vegetation structure where Prosopis becomes part of the ecosystem with limited detrimental impact. This means that the several components of the species such as nutritive value and the negative impact associated with this plant species along with the means to control its spreading must be well understood to recognise the plant species’ vital contribution to the ecosystem.