The nutritive value of monkey pod (Samanea saman).

Abstract

The results of chemical analysis of pods, pulpy mesocarps and seeds of S. saman [Albizia saman] are presented. Mean moisture content was 4.11±0.06, 58.42±1.62 and 6.19±0.24%, respectively. Pods and seeds had oil 0.82±0.02 and 11.20±0.20, crude protein (CP) 28.48±0.28 and 30.37±0.60, crude fibre 33.40±0.35 and 16.15±0.10, total carbohydrate 26.73±0.16 and 34.89±0.08, ash 4.16±0.03 and 2.16±0.04%. The light brown seed oil had free fatty acids 5.62±0.38%, acid value 8.36±0.49, saponification value 192.75±4.20, iodine value 92.62±3.10 and peroxide value 4.05±0.26. Unsaturated fatty acids made up 90% of the 9 fatty acids detected. Seed protein was rich in tryptophan and lysine (16.24 and 14.98 g/100 g). Methionine and proline were the most limiting amino acids. The pulpy mesocarp contained 32.65% sugars with fructose predominant (16.20±0.14%). Potassium and sodium in seeds were 1.86±0.07 and 0.98±0.08 g/100 g. It is concluded that seeds may be suitable for feeding cattle and poultry with a complimentary cereal. Pods are considered unsuitable for animal feeds because of a high ash content.