Dietary Nitrate, Nitrite, And Cyanide Contents Of Animal Feed Formulated Within Umuahia Metropolis

ABSTRACT

The cyanogenic potential, nitrate and nitrite contents of unconventional animal feed samples from six small holder livestock unit were assayed using spectrophotometric and enzymatic methods. Nitrite was determined spectrophotometically while nitrate was determined after reduction to nitrite susing cadmum column. Enzymatic analysis of the feed samples indicated total cyanide level of 5.59mg/100gDM to 36.19mg/i OOgDM. The cyanide contents of cyanogenic plant materials component of the feed ranged from 5.5lmg/100gDM to 12.79mg. 100gDM antI 86.lOmg/100gDM to 88.81mg/I OOgDM in cassava peel for free and total cyanide respectively and 5.42mg/100gDM to 8.56mg/I OOgDM for wheat offals. The levels of nitrate and nitrite determined in these feeds ranged from 2.55mg/100gDM to 28.55mg/100gDM and O.00mg/100gDM to 21.88mg/I OOgDM respectively. The level of cyanogens in these feeds and their cyanogenic raw materials are below the level at which the cyanogens in cassava can be regarded as safe for human and animal consumption (O.5-3.5mgl-ICN/kg body weight).