Abstract

A study was conducted with 24 albino rats (wistar strain) ages 3 weeks to determine the effect of substitution of diets with processed neem seed cake on growth, performance and nitrogen metabolism of rats. Group 1 and those of groups II and III were fed experimental diets containing water, 75% methanol and 75% ethanol processed neem seed cake, respectively. Two groups were given standard and commercial diet (Pfizer Nigeria Limited). The diets were iso-nitrogenous and iso-caloric. The feeding experiment was conducted for two weeks (7days preliminary and 7days collection). Except for methanol neem seed cake (MNSC diet), there was significant (p<0.05) decrease in daily weight gain, protein efficiency ratio and feed efficiency ratio for all animals fed with processed neem seed cakes compared to standard protein. Nitrogen intake and urinary nitrogen excretion of processed neem seed cakes was significantly (p<0.05) lower than that of standard, but there was no difference in faeceal nitrogen excretion. Nutritional indices (true nitrogen digestibility, biological value and protein utilization) for all the processed neem seed cakes were comparable with standard diet.

Key words: Neem seed, processed cake, substitution, solvent extraction, nitrogen metabolism, albino rats.