Compositional evaluation and feed potential of the African kudzu (Puerariaphaseoloides, roxb. benth) seed meal

The proximate composition, minerals, amino acid and antinutrient contents o f the African kudzu. Pueraria phaseoloides, were determined. The seed meal showed appreciable levels of nutrients comparable to some commonly consumed food articles. Lipid level was low but contained appreciable amounts of un saturated fatty acids, soluble sugars, fibre and minerals. Amino acid profi le revealed a fair complement of essential amino acids (EAAs), marginally l imiting in lysine. Antinutrient factors, including trypsin inhibitors, tann in. phytate have also been determined. The raw seeds proved toxic to rats, while the cooked and acid-extracted meals gave negative protein efficiency ratio (PER) and low net protein retention (NPR) values. True digestibility (TD) of the cooked meal did not differ significantly (P<0.05) from that of the casein control.