Chemical and mineral compositions of pods of Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oleifera cultivated in the lowland of Gamogofa Zone

J Jo ou ur rn na al l o of f E En nv vi ir ro on nm me en nt ta al l a an nd d O Oc cc cu up pa at ti io on na al l S Sc ci ie en nc ce e available at www.scopemed.org Abstract This study was conducted to evaluate the chemical and mineral compositions of whole and seeds-removed fresh pods of Moringa stenopetala and Moringa oleifera. Feed samples were collected from five trees of each Moringa species and analyzed for chemical and mineral compositions using standard methods. The results indicated that whole fresh pods of both Moringa species contained significantly (p<0.05) higher crude protein (CP) and fat values than seeds-removed pods. The highest CP (182 g/kg DM) was obtained from whole fresh pods of M. stenopetala while the lowest from seeds-removed fresh pods of M. oleifera (104 g/kg DM). In both Moringa species, seeds-removed fresh pods contained significantly (p<0.05) higher crude fiber, neutral detergent fiber, cellulose and hemicellulose than that of whole fresh pods. In M. stenopetala, calcium content was 3.72 and 2.98 g/kg DM in whole fresh pods and seeds-removed fresh pods, respectively. In M. oleifera, whole and seeds-removed fresh pods contained 3.34 and 2.74 g/kg DM calcium, respectively which differed significantly. In both Moringa species, the concentrations of phosphorous, magnesium and zinc in whole fresh pods were significantly (p<0.05) higher than those found in seeds-removed fresh pods. High zinc and iron concentrations were found in whole and seeds-removed fresh pods of both Moringa species, respectively. Both whole and seeds-removed fresh pods of M. oleifera had high copper values (9.3-9.7 mg/kg DM) compared with those of M. stenopetala (4.8-5.8 mg/kg DM). In conclusion, the fresh pods of both Moringa species could be used as alternative protein supplement sources for feeding ruminant and monogastric animals during dry periods of the year.