Investigation on Famine Rations: Mango-seed Kernel
281
The kernels were lightly crushed and placed before
country bullocks which after two to three weeks
acquired a taste for them. During the exploratory
period of about 15 days it was observed that animals
weighing about 700-800 lb. could not eat more than
6-7 lb. (3-3.5 lb., dry matter). This amount, how-
ever, did not provide the total amount of protein
necessary for maintenance. It was, therefore, pro-
posed to replace about 50 per cent of oil-cake by
mango-seed kernels.
Three country bullocks were then selected for a
long-term feeding experiment, the rations shown in
Table III being given daily.
TABLE III
Rations given to selected country bullocks
Animal No.
1
2
5
Body
weight
776 lb.
568 lb.
832 lb.
Rape-cake
1 lb.
¾lb.
1 lb.
Mango-
seed
kernel
6 lb.
6 lb.
6 lb.
Wheat
bhusa
ad lib.
(approxi-
mately)
6 lb.
6 lb.
6 lb.
In addition to the above ration, each animal was
given 1 oz. of salt daily.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Observations on bullocks. The ration was fed for
about three months. It was observed that adult
animals, which ordinarily maintained weight on the
Institute schedule ration, gained an average of 33 lb.
in weight on the experimental ration (Table IV).
The animals also put on fine condition and had a
healthy appearance. After about five weeks' feeding
on this ration, a metabolism experiment was con-
ducted on the animals by the usual procedure to
find out the nutritive value of mango-seed kernel.
The results showing the digestibility coefficient,
nitrogen, calcium and phosphorus balance of the
whole ration, and the digestibility coefficient of
mango-seed kernel are given in Tables V, VI and VII,
respectively.
TABLE IV
Gain in weight of bullocks kept on experimental ration
Date
*l-8-44
. .
8-8-44 . .
15-8-44 . .
22-8-44 ..
29-8-44
. .
5-9-44 . .
11-9-44 . .
21-9-44
. .
28-9-44
. .
5-10-44
. .
12-10-44 . .
19-10-44 . .
26-10-44 . .
Gain in weight .
Weight in pounds
Animal
No. 1
776
770
736
762
784
776
784
784
788
792
792
816
822
46
Animal
No. 2
568
560
550
556
586
584
564
566
566
572
580
582
584
16
Animal
No. 5
832
800
780
832
838
832
820
824
832
836
836
846
870
38
Meta-
bolism
period
* Date of first feeding
It will be observed from Table VII that the mean
percentage digestibility of crude protein, ether extract
and nitrogen-free extract are 72.1, 56.3 and 70.6,
respectively. Replacement of oil-cake by mango-
seed kernel to the extent of 50 per cent. gives a wide
positive nitrogen balance and suggests that further
economy can be effected by reducing the quantity of
oil-cake. The digestible nutrients per 100 lb. of dry
matter as compared with those other common grains
is given in Table VIII.
From the above figures it appears that the digest-
ible protein obtained from mango-seed kernel is only
slightly poorer than that in oats and barley, while
in total digestible nutrients and starch equivalent
the kernel compares satisfactorily with corn and
oats.
TABLE V
Digestibility coefficient of whole ration
Animal
No.
1
2
5
Mean
Dry
matter
52.9
58.4
57.1
56.1
Organic
matter
55.4
61.3
57.5
58.1
Crude
protein
56.2
56.6
62.1
58.3
Ether
extract
59.2
63.9
65.5
62.9
Fibre
39.6
50.7
41.9
44.1
Nitrogen free
extract
60.6
65.9
61.6
62.7
Total carbo-
hydrates
55.0
61.7
56.3
57.7
E-2