Moringa oleifera (MO) is native to northern India and northern Europe, but it is also grown in the Red Sea region and other parts of Asia and Africa, including the United States
(Singh et al., 2019). Moringa oleifera is the most promising tree, with nutritional and therapeutic characteristics as well as environmental benefits.
Moringa oleifera has a diverse range of applications. Water purification, human consumption, medicine, fuel wood, dye, conservation, cattle fodder and green manure are just a few of them
(Koul and Chase 2015). Natural resources, economic activities, food security, health, society and physical infrastructure, as well as society in general, are all affected by climate change.As per a report of (
FAO, 2009) livestock sector accounts for 18% of worldwide GHG emissions (7.1 billion tonnes CO
2 equivalent). Although it produces just 9% of global CO
2, it produces 65% of human-related N
2O and 35% of CH4, which have 310 times and 23 times the global warming potential (GWP) of CO
2, respectively. Considering these facts it is quite clear that the conventional feeding system is unsustainable and poses serious environmental challenges. Moreover due to high cost associated with conventional feed production, particularly due to fortification of feed with vitamins, minerals and proteins to safeguard animals from various dietary deficiencies, livestock industry faces a great challenge to survive especially in under-developed and developing countries. Being the most expensive and prime limiting factor in feed formulations, conventional protein diets are costlier and hence pave way for searching alternative, non-conventional, relatively cheaper sources for formulation of livestock feed. In order to form an economically viable and ecofriendly livestock feed production system, the research has been focus towards exploring numerous plants and agricultural by products for their potential to serve as animal feed or as a part of feed formulation, supplying essential nutrients
(Su and Chen 2020). In this context many plants have been analyzed for their nutrient content and they have shown promising results.
Moringa oleifera, the Miracle tree, native to sub Himalayan region, is known to possess an excellent nutritional profile which has been studied extensively for many years for exploring its potential to be used in formulation of livestock feed. Being rich in nutrients, Moringa leaves, fresh pods, seeds and roots are widely used as human food and animal feed with various research investigations associating Moringa leaf meal with fast growth, better utilization by animals including cattle, goats, chicken and fish along with high nutritional value. A good amount of literature is available to support the fact that
M.
oleifera especially its leaf can be used as an alternative protein source in animal husbandry as it has an excellent nutritional profile
(Nouman et al., 2013).
Moringa oleifera
Origin, botanical and pedo-climatic description
Moringaceae, monogeneric plant family includes genus
Moringa, encompassing 13 plant species. These species include
Moringa arborea,
Moringa rivae,
Moringa borziana,
Moringa pygmaea,
Moringa longituba,
Moringa stenopetala ,
Moringa ruspoliana,
Moringa ovalifolia,
Moringa drouhardii,
Moringa hildebrandi,
Moringa peregrine,
Moringa concanesis and Moringa oleifera (Leone et al., 2015). However
Moringa oleifera, native to South Asia, particularly in India, Srilanka, Pakistan, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and some parts of Africa and Saudi Arabia, is the best known among
Moringaceae family. It is commonly known as Drumstick tree, Miracle tree, benzoil tree, ben oil tree and horseradish tree
(Trigo et al., 2020). There are several vernacular names of Moringa plant in India such as Shigru, Shobhanjana, Teekshnagandha, Aksheeva, Mochaka, Munaga, Sajana, Saragavo, Shegata, Sahajano, Sitachini, Daintha, Kelor, Marum, Dandalonbin and Dandalun
(Debajyoti et al., 2017). Table 1 represents the scientific classification of
Moringa oleifera.
Moringa oleifera is a fast growing, deciduous, soft wood tree, capable of reaching a height of about 12 m. The tree grows well in tropical and subtropical regions with an average rainfall of about 2000 mm and good sunlight. A temperature of 19-35
oC favors optimal growth of this plant. Owing to its good drainage, it is capable of growing in wide range of soil types, but grow best in slightly acidic to alkaline sandy loam soil. It is also capable of withstanding extreme temperatures, from over temperatures of up to 48
oC to slight frost
(Saini et al., 2016). The tripinnate, compound, feathery leaves grow mostly at the tips of the branches. Moringa flowers have yellow-white colored petals with slight pleasant fragrance. The fruit of this tree is a trilobe capsule with a slender pod with 15-20 seeds, which changes color from green to brown upon maturity. The seeds are round or triangular in shape, each covered by a woody shell and three papery wings
(Su and Chen 2020).
Nutritional composition of Moringa oleifera
The “Miracle tree”,
Moringa oleifera is known for its nutritional and nutraceutical potential. All parts of this plant including leaves, pods, seeds, flowers, fruits and roots are edible and form a part of traditional diet of people living in tropical and sub-tropical countries
(Islam et al., 2021). The different parts of Moringa act as the storehouse of various essential nutrients (Table 2). The leaves of Moringa contain approximately 20-35% protein on dry weight basis with majority of essential amino acids. They also contain high content of minerals such as calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, copper and magnesium
(Mohanty et al., 2021). The leaves of Moringa plant are known for their omega 3 and omega 6 polyunsaturated fatty acid content especially that of a linolenic acid and linolenic acid. Palmitic acid has been noted to be the main saturated fatty acid present in these leaves, accounting for about 16-30% of the total fatty acid content The leaves, flowers and pods of Moringa plant are also rich in vitamins like vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, riboflavin, folic acid, pyridoxine and nicotinic acid
(Gopalakrishnan et al., 2016). As compared to leaves, stem and immature pods of
Moringa oleifera have slightly lower nutritive content. The pods contain low amount of lipids and proteins, have abundance of dietary fiber and have a significant amount of unsaturated essential amino acids
(Granella et al., 2021). The seed of Moringa plant are having a good oil content ranging between 30-40%
(Leone et al., 2015), rich is saturated and unsaturated fatty acids including oleic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and archidic acid
(Saini et al., 2016). The seeds also contain a substantial amount of macronutrients and micronutrients such as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc, copper; and essential and hydrophobic amino acids
(Liang et al., 2019). Moringa flowers are also rich in many nutrients, including proteins, dietary fiber, lipids, carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, polyunsaturated fatty acids and antioxidants (tocopherols)
(Sanchez-Machado et al., 2010).
Phytochemical composition of Moringa oleifera
The human population around the globe is known to use medicinal plants for treatment of various pathological conditions since time immemorial. These plants form an important tool in comprehensive health care. The numerous therapeutic effects of Moringa have been discerned in both Ayurvedic and Unani medicine. All parts of this plant exhibit pharmacological effect and have been used as a traditional medicine in tropics and sub tropics since ages
(Islam et al., 2021;
Mughal et al., 1999). Moringa oleifera is a reservoir of phytochemicals such as phenolic acids, flavonoids, flavonols, steroids, polyphenols, isothiocyanates, glucosinolates, sterols, sitosterols, phytosterols, terpenoids, catechins, caffeic acid, ferulic acid, procyanidins, chlorogenic acid and alkaloids, distributed among different parts of the plant
(Brilhante et al., 2017).The various functional and therapeutic properties of
Moringa oleifera are accredited to this broad range bioactive compounds identified in different parts of this plant using various identification techniques such as GC-MS and HS-SPME
(Falowo et al., 2018). The presence of these phytochemicals constitutes a basis for extensive research and currently, the scientific community on an international level is exploring the potential of this tree in the field of food, feed, medicine and cosmetics. Extracts of M.
oleifera plant parts have been recognized to possess anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, hypolipidemic, antipyretic, analgesic, neuroprotective, anticancer, cytotoxic, anti-proliferative, anti-leukemia, anti-hepato-carcinoma and chemo-protective properties
(Bhattacharya et al., 2018; Mahfuz and Piao 2019;
Ravani et al., 2017). Table 3 summarizes the phytochemical compounds present in different parts of
Moringa oleifera.
Various studies have suggested that Moringa is rich in anti-microbial compound, Pterygospermin, which is mainly concentrated in flowers and roots of the plant. This compound has been found to be effective as a powerful antibiotic and fungicide, showing a good response against microbial species like
Fusarium solani,
B.
sublitis,
S.
aureus,
S.
areogunosa (Abdulkadir et al., 2015; Pandey 2012). Antibiotic activity has also been associated with presence of lipophilic components and various metabolites namely carboxylic acid, 2, 4-
diacetylphloroglucinol and Chitinases .A significant percentage of antioxidants like Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
glutathione S-
transferases (GST) have been found to be present in the leaf extract of Moringa plant
(Moyo et al., 2013).
Anti-nutritional factors in Moringa oleifera
The undesirable chemical compounds present in both cultivated and wild plant species are termed as anti-nutritional compounds or anti-nutritional factors or anti nutrients or allelochemicals. These compounds are synthesized as secondary metabolites
via normal metabolic pathways in plants, intended for own defense. However they have an impact on digestibility, bioavailability and utilization of nutrients especially proteins, minerals and vitamins in food derived from plants and also determine the use of a particular plant as food and fodder
(James and Zikankuba 2017). These anti nutritional factors include nitrates, oxalates, tannins, phytates, trypsin inhibitors, saponins, protease inhibitors, gossypol and cyanogenic glycosides
(Su et al., 2020). It has been seen that
Moringa oleifera leaves has presence of anti- nutritional compounds such as tannins, saponins and lignin but in negligible amounts. There exists a variation in amount of these anti-nutritional components owing to diverse growth conditions and cultivars
(Shih et al., 2011). The leaves of Moringa contain 21 g/kg and 10.5 g/kg phytates and oxalates respectively. Moreover negligible amount of tannins, saponins, trypsin inhibitors and amylase inhibitors and no traces of cyanogenic compounds has been noted
(Makkar and Becker 1997;
Teixeira et al., 2014). The saponins are present in Moringa leaves but they amount for about 4.7-5 g/kg dry weight only
(Moyo et al., 2013). Another study reported 10.58 mg phytates, 334.33 mg oxalates, 8.19 mg tannins and 3998.30 mg hydrogen cyanide per 100 g of Moringa leaves
(Auwal et al., 2020). The level of oxalates has been estimated in Moringa leaves and it is present in low concentrations (25.7 mg g
-1) ,which is much lower than spinach which has an oxalate concentration of 125.7 mg g
-1 (Radek and Savage 2008). Trypsin inhibitors have not been detected in Moringa leaves
(Gidamis et al., 2003). The anti-nutritional compounds in Moringa seeds have been noted to be lower than leaves. The seeds of Moringa contain 252.08 mg/100 g saponins and 47.93 mg/100 g tannins
(Muhammed Fayis 2017). Phytates have been found to be the most abundant anti nutritional compound in Moringa seeds. The phytate content in Moringa seeds was found to be 1380.6 mg PAE/100 g. Moreover saponins and tannin content in Moringa seeds was found to be 154.95 mg DE/100 g and 62.2 mg CE/100 g respectively
(Leon-Lopez et al., 2020).
Igwilo et al., (2013) reported presence of tannins, oxalates, phytates, saponins and cyanogenic glycosides in Moringa roots. The tannins and oxalates were present in high content (45 mg/100 and 17.08 mg/100 g respectively). The content of saponins, phytates and cyanogenic glycosides showed presence in lower concentrations (4.20 mg/100 g, 0.07 mg/100 g and 2.72 mf/100 g respectively)
(Igwilo et al., 2013). Although these factors are present in negligible amounts, their effects can further be minimized by using various processes like chopping, soaking, drying, fermentation and steaming
(Moyo et al., 2013; Radek and Savage 2008;
Teixeira et al., 2014).
Application of Moringa oleifera in livestock feeding
The leaves of woody plants are known for their high nutritional composition. However their use as animal feed is restricted due to presence of excessive fiber content and anti-nutritional compounds that have an adverse impact on the palatability, digestibility and nutrient utilization. This forms the basis for determining the suitability of a tree or plant to be used as an animal feed
(Su and Chen 2020). The remarkable nutritional and phytochemical composition of
Moringa oleifera along with low amount of anti-nutritional factors, makes it suitable for animal feed. The use of Moringa as a feed or a feed supplement dates back to 1962
(Ramachandran et al., 1980). The young branches, leaves and seed residues left after oil extraction have been fed to farm animals. In the recent past, Moringa is being considered to be used as an effective alternative to conventional diets for livestock. However the inclusion levels are significantly lower as the mode of action of improvement of production performance and health status is still being explored and understood
(Mahfuz et al., 2019).
Poultry
Moringa oleifera can be used in poultry as a dietary supplement due to its nutritional and therapeutic value
(Abdel-Wareth and Lohakare 2021). Various researchers have used leaf meal or leaf extract of this plant in poultry and it has been able to produce positive results. Improvement in bowel health, increased weight gain, decrease feed intake, improved feed conversion ratio, increased immune response and good anti-oxidant responses in broilers has been attributed to the use of Moringa leaf meal as feed. It has been seen that broilers supplemented with
Moringa oleifera have considerable increase in the level of high density lipoproteins in serum along with a significant decrease in Low density lipoproteins. This effect has been associated with higher fiber content in Moringa which results in lowering of cholesterol levels in the body. Hypocholesterolemic effect has been observed in egg cholesterol content which is much lower when poultry feed is supplemented with Moringa leaves
(Olugbemi et al., 2010). Broilers fed with diets containing 5% Moringa leaf meal for 7 weeks have shown increased body weight and higher total feed intake and improved feed conversion ratio compared to a control group
(Tazi 2014). It has also been reported that Broliers fed with 0.05% of moringa fruit meal and 0.1% of moringa leaf meal for 42 days resulted in improved growth performance and carcass yield
(David et al., 2015). As reported by
Alabi et al., 2017, inclusion of aqueous extracts of
Moringa oleifera leaves at a concentration of 90 ml/liter of drinking water of broiler chicken can result in reduction of feed intake by about 12.83% and an overall improvement in the feed conversion efficiency, suggesting the possible use of this extract as a replacement for synthetic growth promoters
(Alabi et al., 2017). A research study conducted by
Rehman et al., (2018) studied the impact on Moringa leaf powder supplementation on the quality of meat and bone morphometry in broilers and it was observed that diameter of breast muscle fibers, weight and weight length index of the tibia bone increased significantly with administration of 12-15 g/kg of Moringa leaf powder Improvement of total hemoglobin percentage, total red blood cell count and packed cell volume was recorded in broilers upon inclusion of up to 20% of Moringa in feed. In case of layers it has been reported that addition of 5-10% Moringa in diets led to improved yolk color and albumin height, while as addition of about 10-20% Moringa leaf meal in place of sunflower seed meal improved laying performance, egg weight, increases feed intake and increased feed conversion ratio by 20%
(Rehman et al., 2018). Abou-Elezz Fouad Mohammed et al., 2012 reported that supplementation of feed with fresh leaves of
Moringa oleifera could improve egg production, egg yolk color and egg mass
(Abou-Elezz Fouad Mohammed et al., 2012). Supplementation of feed of 27 week old hy-line grey commercial layers with Moringa leaf at 5% resulted in higher feed conversion ratio, improved protein absorption without any notable effect on laying performance and egg quality
(Lu et al., 2016). Similar effect of Moringa leaf supplementation in layer diet on production performance and egg quality has been observed by
(Briones et al., 2017). A research study on 64 week old hy-line brown hens suggested that dietary supplementation with Moringa leaves improved egg production, weight and mass significantly. Haugh unit and shell thickness also showed significant improvement as a response to Moringa leaf supplementation at a rate of 3, 6 and g/kg
(Abdel-Wareth and Lohakare 2021). The administration of 2-6% of Moringa leaf powder with diet to laying hens significantly decreases the cholesterol content in egg yolk. Moreover improvement in egg production, egg mass, shell thickness, yolk color, beta carotene, magnesium and calcium content in yolk has been noted by inclusion of 4-6% Moringa leaf powder
(Bidura et al., 2020). These research findings clearly suggest that feeding Moringa leaf meal to chicken has no adverse effect on the normal physiology and growth with use within 1-10% considered to be the safe level
(Mahfuz and Piao 2019). Apart from inclusion of leaves, Moringa seeds and pods have also been used to supplement poultry feed. Improved yolk color and higher percentage of linolelaidic acid content in yolk was observed when layers were fed with Moringa seed meal
(Mabusela et al., 2018). The effect of Moringa seed meal on nutrient digestibility in finisher broiler chicken has been evaluated. It has been observed that inclusion of 0.02% seed meal in finisher broiler chicken enhances the nutrient digestibility
(Abdulkarim et al., 2018). A significantly lower cholesterol level in egg yolk has been reported in hy-line layers fed with Moringa pod meal
(Ahmad et al., 2017). Moringa stem meal as a supplement was fed to laying ducks along with basal diet at varying concentrations (0-4%). The ducks fed with 2% Moringa stem meal showed an increase in average daily feed intake and average daily gain. An improvement in feed conversion rate was observed in ducks fed with 4% Moringa stem meal. Supplementation also had a positive effect on egg quality and the antioxidant activity of meal improved the immunological index as well
(Yang et al., 2020). Moringa stem meal, rich in crude fiber, fed to geese at varying levels ranging between 0-100 g/kg resulted in increase in feed/gain ratio in a linear manner with the increase in Moringa stem meal inclusion. The inclusion of 100 g/kg of Moringa stem meal resulted in significant decrease in blood glucose level and an increase in alanine transaminase enzyme activity
(Zhai et al., 2020).
Ruminants
The potential of
Moringa oleifera to be used as ruminant feed has been investigated as it is rich in nutrients but most distinct feature which has played a key role for its consideration as ruminant feed is it’s methanogenic inhibitor content which has the capability to decrease methane emission in ruminants. Methanogenic inhibitors of Moringa plant pose a great potential to be utilized on a large scale for livestock feeding programs which aim at minimizing the methane emission. Around 17% decrease in daily methane emission was observed in animals fed with
Moringa oleifera and a total of 50% decrease in emission was recorded when it replaced soybean meal as feed
(Elghandour et al., 2017; Soliva et al., 2005).
Cattle
Conventional low quality diet supplemented with Moringa leaves as protein additive has been noted to increase the dry matter intake, digestibility of diet and milk production cows of Creole Reyna breed
(Reyes Sanchez et al., 2006). Total mixed ration at level of 180 g/kg supplemented with Moringa silage fed to lactating Holstein cows resulted in higher milk yield as compared to control cows. The milk was also characterized by better anti-oxidative potential
(Cohen-Zinder et al., 2016).Cows fed with formulated ration along with 20% inclusion of
Moringa oleifera leaf had higher mean value of milk fat, total solids, crude protein and casein when compared to those fed with formulated ration containing 20% soybean meal
(Mendieta-Araica et al., 2011). Dietary supplementation of Moringa at the rate 6% in dairy cows resulted in milk with improved fat content
(Dong et al., 2019). Partial substitution of alfalfa hay and maize silage with
Moringa oleifera silage showed no negative effect on milk yield, nutrient digestibility and biochemical indexes of lactating Holstein cows
(Zeng et al., 2018). Lactating cross bred cows were fed 15.0 kg of Moringa as green fodder for 90 days to evaluate its effect on milk yield, microbial protein synthesis and blood profile.
Shankhpal et al., 2019 reported that feeding cows with Moringa resulted in improved a carotene content in milk and intestinal flow of microbial nitrogen. Furthermore the cholesterol content of milk decreased by 17.60%
(Shankhpal et al., 2019). Moringa leaf meal fed to pregnant Holstein cows at the rate of 16.66 g/100 kg body weight, resulted in improved blood profile, antioxidant status and udder health in these cows
(Kekana et al., 2020). Micro supplementation of diet of lactating Jersey cows with Moringa leaf meal showed a significant effect on the blood biochemistry and udder health of cows. A notable increase in serum protein and immunoglobulin G was observed. Micro supplementation with Moringa leaf meal at 60 g/day/cow remarkably reduced oxidative stress, which in turn resulted in improvement of milk quality in terms of milk fat content and immunity in lactating cows
(Kekana et al., 2019).
Buffalo
Effect of substitution of soya bean meal by Moringa leaf meal on rumen fermentation, nutrient digestibility and growth performance of 8-9 months old buffalo calves has been investigated. It was noted that Moringa leaf inclusion at the rate of 15% and 20% in concentrate mixture resulted in increase in digestibility of dry matter, crude fiber and organic matter, while the digestibility of crude protein showed a decline. Inclusion of Moringa leaf meal at 15% inclusion rate resulted in improved final body weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and plasma insulin growth factor I without any noticeable adverse effect on the growth of buffalo calves.
(Abdel-Raheem and Hassan 2021). The replacement of concentrate mixture and calf starter up to 10% by Moringa leaf meal resulted in better body weight gain in Murrah calves
(Roy et al., 2018).
Sheep
Defatted Moringa seed meal at a level of 2-6 g/day when used as an additive in Barbarine lamb hay-soybean meal exhibited no effect on diet digestibility. The inclusion of intermediate level
i.
e. 4 g/day Moringa seed meal in diet resulted in improved rumen fermentation
(Ben Salem and Makkar 2009). Replacement of conventional concentrate mixture by Moringa foliage as protein supplement at a level of 75% and 100% in rice straw diet resulted in favorable growth performance, leaner carcass and higher meat proportion in lambs
(Sultana et al., 2017). The
Moringa oleifera leaf meal inclusion at level of 25% in concentrate mixture resulted in the improvement of body condition score in Deccani lambs being reared under intensive farming system
(Bala and Ramana 2020).
Goat
Goats fed with Moringa leaves at 20 and 50% inclusion levels have shown increased live weight gain, digestibility of dry matter, crude protein and organic matter
(Aregheore 2002).
Babiker et al., 2017 reported that there was increase in oxidative stability and vitamin C content of milk in ewes and goats supplemented with
Moringa oleifera leaf at 25% inclusion level when compared to those with Alfalfa hay. This may be attributed to presence of various nutrients along with essential elements such as calcium, potassium and magnesium
(Babiker et al., 2017). The concentrate diet of black Bengal goats when replaced by Moringa foliage resulted in improved average daily weight gain and better nitrogen retention clearly depicting the potential of Moringa to serve as alternative to conventional concentrate mixture
(Sultana 2015). Inclusion of Moringa leaf meal at a level of 15%, replacing 75% sesame meal in diet of lactating Anglo Nubian goats improved milk yield and composition in terms of total solids and lactose content. It also improved the level of unsaturated fatty acids and conjugated linoleic acid. Moreover, Moringa leaf meal also enhanced rumen fermentation, feed intake and nutrient digestibility
(Kholif et al., 2015). Oral administration of Moringa leaf extract for 88 days to Nubian goats as apart from basal diet resulted in significant increase in milk yield, milk energy, total solids, solid not fat, protein, lactose and ash content with a linear relationship with dose at which extract was administered. In general supplementation with Moringa extracts led to enhancement of milk yield by about 6% and an increase in total conjugated linoleic acid by 17.4-23.2%
(Kholif et al., 2018). Replacement of conventional concentrate mixture with dried Moringa leaves resulted in improvement of body weight without affecting feed intake and health of Mehsana goat
(Pawar and Ankuya 2017).
Non-ruminants
Pigs
The literature related to the use of Moringa as feed for Pigs is limited and greatly restricted to the laboratory scale research. Some researchers have studied the impact of using Moringa foliage as a replacement for conventional pig feed. It has been noted that finisher pig when fed with Moringa leaf at 5% intake level showed no negative impact on feed conversion ratio, cutability, backfat thickness and other carcass traits. Although the pigs fed with more than 5% Moringa leaf meal exhibited better daily feed intake, their feed conversion ratio was lower as compared to those fed at 5% or below intake levels
(Mukumbo et al., 2014). The research findings of
Dany et al., 2016 suggested that inclusion of Moringa leaf at 40% inclusion rate in Mexican hairless pigs had no effect on growth performance
(Dany et al., 2016). Furthermore it has been noted that increase in consumption of Moringa feed resulted in increased amount of unsaturated fatty acids in fat and meat. However as reported that 10% inclusion level of Moringa leaf in feeds of commercial prestarted and starter pigs had no impact on the average daily weight gains, highlighting the fact that a specific meal needs to be formulated for pigs based on their growth stage
(Acda et al., 2010). Weaner pigs fed with Moringa leaf meal at varying inclusion levels ranging between 1-5% showed no significant effect on the final body weight and carcass parameters. However the growth rate of weaner pigs fed with 5% Moringa leaf meal was better as compared to those fed with 2.5% meal and control diets
(Oduro-Owusu et al., 2015). Cross bred finishing pigs fed with Moringa meal at inclusion rates 0, 3, 6 and 9%, resulted in significant increase in the daily weight gain with less impact on pork quality and amino acid profile. The fatty acid profile of finishing pigs underwent modification with an increase in unsaturated fatty acid content upon consumption of Moringa meal at 6% inclusion levels
(Dong et al., 2019).
Rabbits
Weaner rabbits fed with Moringa leaf meal at an inclusion level of 0-20% resulted in increase in average daily weight gain but no significant difference was observed in blood parameters
(Nuhu 2010). The growing rabbits fed with Moringa leaf meal at varying inclusion levels in diets (up to 15%) exhibited no adverse effects on the hematological and serum biochemical response
(Ewuola et al., 2012). Feeding New Zealand white rabbits with Moringa leaf meal as a substitute for alfalfa meal at level of 0%, 10%, 20% and 30% showed significant impact on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, meat quality, antioxidant capacity and biochemical parameters. The average daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio was much better at 20% inclusion level of Moringa leaf meal. The leaf meal also had a significant impact on serum albumin, low density lipoproteins, cholesterol levels and superoxide dismutase activity
(Sun et al., 2018). Rabbits fed with 30% Moringa leaf meal had a significant increase in body weight
(Safwat et al., 2014).
Role of Moringa oleifera in disease management
Avian coccidiosis which is regarded as the most frequently encountered disease of importance to poultry, resulting in mortality of broiler globally has been so far tackled by use of anti-coccidial drugs. However plants with medicinal value could serve as an alternative to synthetic drugs. Extracts of Moringa leaves have been found to be effective against various bacterial, viral and parasitic infections. Acetone extracts of Moringa fed at the rate of 1-5 g/kg body weight of broiler chicken infected with Eimeria species showed improved gain in body weight and a significantly milder faecal scores. Moreover as compared to infected, untreated group of birds, those fed with moringa extracts had significantly higher hemoglobin and red blood cell count
(Ola-Fadunsin and Ademola 2013). Another research study evaluated the protective function of methanolic moringa extracts in chicken infected with Newcastle disease, which has a profound economic impact on poultry farms due to high mortality rates associated with this disease. Chicken fed with methanolic extracts of moringa at the rate of 200 mg/kg body weight for 42 days exhibited noteworthy survival rates validating the protective effect of Moringa against Newcastle disease
(Eze et al., 2012). Oral administration of aqueous eextracts of Moringa leaves at a dose of 150mg/kg body weight for 21 days at an interval of 48 hours to sheep coinfected with
Fasciola gigantica and
Colostritidium novyi resulted in reduced fecal egg counts, improved gain in body weight and significant decrease in level of interleukin 2, interleukin 17 and immunoglobulin G
(El Shanawany et al., 2019).
