Metabolizable energy in different shea nut (Vitellaria paradoxa) meal samples for broiler chickens

Shea nut meal is obtained after fat extraction from shea nuts produced in West Africa. Two experiments compared the ME of different shea nut meal samples. The objective of the first experiment was to estimate the TME(n) of 2 expeller shea nut meal samples and a single nonindustrial shea nut meal sample using a precision-fed broiler assay. The second objective was to compare the nutrient composition of 6 collected shea nut meal samples (i.e., 4 expeller, 2 nonindustrial) as well as 2 defatted samples (1 expeller, 1 nonindustrial) and to examine the differences in AME between the samples. The 8 shea nut meal samples were fed at 3 dietary levels (0, 2, 4%) in a nutritionally complete basal diet to 180 Ross male broiler chicks (12 to 20 d) in an AME assay. The mean TME(n) (3,577 kcal/kg of DM) of expeller samples was higher (P<0.001) than TME(n) (3,017 kcal/kg of DM) of the nonindustrial sample. The dietary level of shea nut meal had a significant (P<0.01) effect on AME with the 4% level tending to give a lower AME than the 0 or 2% levels. However, increasing levels of defatted shea nut meals from 2 to 4% had no effect on AME of the diets. It was concluded that the available energy concentrations in the shea nut meal samples were low relative to their nutrient compositions and variable due to the content and nature of the residual fat. The variation observed among samples indicates that industrial expeller shea nut meal samples are preferable to nonindustrial meals for use in poultry rations. The nutritional quality of shea nut meal still needs improvement to allow it to be a valuable feed ingredient.