Nutritive value of hot water- or cocoa-pod ash solution-treated cocoa bean cake for broiler chicks

1. The effectiveness of boiling (90 degrees C for 75 min) in water and alkali (cocoa-pod ash CPA solution) treatments for reducing the antinutritional factor (theobromine) in cocoa bean cake (CBC) and the influence of these treatments on the chemical composition, gross energy and metabolisable energy (ME) of CBC to the broiler chicken were examined. 2. Boiling did not affect crude protein content but resulted in lower ash, crude fibre, ether extract and gross energy values, and a 56% reduction in theobromine, while the use of increasing concentrations of cocoa-pod ash solution decreased crude protein, ether extract, theobromine and gross energy. 3. Mineral elements were significantly affected both by boiling and by cocoa-pod ash solution treatments. 4. There were no significant effects of hot water-treated or 5 g CPA/kg treated CBC on ME or MEn. However, efficiency of energy utilisation was improved. 5. Nutritional evaluation showed that there was a general decrease in performance at high dietary concentrations of CBC (treated or untreated). However, both forms of treatment (hot water-treated and 5 g CPA/kg treated CBC) significantly improved food utilisation and retention of nitrogen and dry matter.