Livestock feed potential of mango (Mangifera indica Linn) seed kernel

Abstract

Mango (Mangifera indica Linn) fruits weigh from small to large about 1 kg in some cultivars. It easily ripens within 6 months, turn reddish and ready for consumption. Most of the produced mango fruit can be consumed fresh and less amount (less than 2%) of it become processed to different products including juice. During processing of mango fruit for consumption, large quantity of mango by- products which can be used as animal feeds and some important antioxidants can be produced. Mango seed kernel (MSK) is a by-product of mango used for both human and animal consumption after several treatment options. In mango fruit, MSK constitutes about 45% to 75% of the whole seed. Mango seed kernel composes greater amount of carbohydrate, protein, fiber, fat, amino acids, important anti-oxidants and minerals comparable to maize. Mango seed kernel contains some important acids which can be fractionated in to the different oils and used in chocolate making by replacing some forms of butter in developed countries. Although MSK is cheap and contains high amount of metabolizable energy, MKS is rich in anti-nutritional factors like tannin which is difficult for animals to consume. However, research reports showed that effective treatment methods like boiling, soaking and drying reduced the anti-nutrient to the level safe for both ruminants and monogastric animals. It is concluded that MKS is a potential energy feed resource for farm animals and inclusion of mango seed kernel up to 25% in layer, up to 30% in broiler nutrition and up to 40-60% in ruminants nutrition has no detrimental effect, profitable and can be best alternative feed sources if well treated by using the best technical methods of anti-nutritional factors reduction like boiling.