Colocasia esculenta (L.) Schott as an Alternative Energy Source in Animal Nutrition

Abstract

Aims: This review was undertaken to examine the potential use of taro (Colocasia esculenta) and its by-products as an alternative energy source for feeding animals. Previous Study: Previous studies indicated that raw sundried taro meal contained about 87.90-90.57 percent dry matter, about 4.93-7.07 crude protein, 2.70-3.90 percent crude fibre, 2956 – 2966 (Kcal/kg) metabolisable energy. Taro is not a common food for man, and its use in animal nutrition is however limited by the presence of anti-nutritional factors such as oxalates, saponin, phytate, and tannins. Conclusion: Taro (Colocasia esculenta) is a less well known source of energy which is not in great demand for human food. The use of taro (Colocasia esculenta) in animal nutrition should be maximally exploited as a way of reducing the competition between man and animals for maize utilization, since the quantity of grains produced in tropical Africa is not sufficient to feed the increasing human population. Heat treatment and protein supplementation are however recommended for optimal use of Colocasia esculenta in animal nutrition.