Effects of Differently Processed Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) Meals on the Performance of Grower Pigs

The proximate compositions of processed Jackbean (Canavalia ensiformis) meals and their effects on the performance on grower pigs was investigated. Whole jackbean seeds were divided into two batches; the first batch was cracked into pieces (2 – 4 parts/seed) while the second batch was soaked in water for 72 hours. The two batches were separately cooked for an hour, sun dried and ground into meal. Samples of the cracked and cooked jackbean (CACJ) and, soaked and cooked jackbean (SACJ) meals were analysed for their proximate compositions. Seven diets were formulated such that diet 1 (control) contained no jackbean. Diets 2, 3, and 4 contained CACJ at 15, 20, and 25%, respectively while diets 5, 6, and 7 contained 15, 20, and 25% SACJ, respectively. Forty nine grower pigs were divided into seven groups of seven pigs each, and randomly assigned to one of the seven diets. The processed seed meals had lower crude protein, ether extract, ash and nitrogen free extract but higher crude fibre values than the raw seeds. CACJ and SACJ meal diets significantly (P<.001) depressed feed intake and growth rate of the pigs even at lowest dietary level of 15%. Pigs fed SACJ diets performed slightly better than those fed CACJ diets. Feed conversion ratios were better in pigs fed the processed jackbean diets than the control. The result shows that the two processing methods used could not improve the nutritive value of jackbean for pigs and that the processed meals caused profound appetite and growth depressing effects on pigs at 15, 20 and 25% dietary levels. It is concluded that jackbean so processed should not be used in diets for pig due to their growth depressing effects. Further studies on lower dietary inclusion levels and factor(s) responsible for the rejection of processed jackbean diets by pigs are worthwhile.