NUTRIENT COMPOSITION AND DEGRADABILITY OF ROSELLE (Hibiscus sabdariffa L.)

The objective of this experiment was to study nutrient composition and degradability of roselle ( Hibiscus sabdarifla L. ) seeds and pods in sheep. Previous studies indicated that roselle seeds were high in protein, lipid and inorganic sources and could be used as feed for ruminants. Four fistulated male local sheep were used in the experiment. They were assigned in 2x2 Latin Square with two animals per group with one group given roselle seeds and the other roselle pods and conducted over two periods. The result indicated that dry matter and organic matter degradabilities of roselle seeds were slightly higher than roselle pods (39.87il.97; 26.30il.70 and 31.00il.85; 208511.54, respectively). Rumen degradability of roselle seeds and pods increased with incubation time, but in general the values were lower than 50%. The result suggests that either seeds or pods require pre-treatment to increase their degradabilities. However, the chemical analysis suggests that both seeds and pods are potential energy and protein sources for ruminants.