Effect of water-washed neem (Azadirachta indica) fruit on rumen digesta fatty acids and biohydrogenation intermediates of fattened West African dwarf rams

This study was conducted to determine the rumen digesta fatty acid profile and biohydrogenation intermediates of West African dwarf rams fattened with diets containing water-washed neem (Azadirachta indica) fruit (WNF). Twenty-five yearling rams (12.3±2.0 kg) were assigned to one of the five dietary groups with five animals per group in a completely randomised design. Each group received a total mixed ration formulated with 0% (T1), 2.5% (T2), 5.0% (T3), 7.5% (T4), and 10.0% (T5) WNF inclusion for 90 days. Chemical analysis was carried out on WNF and the feed using standard procedures. Digesta was collected from the rumen after slaughtering the animals for the determination of fatty acids profile and biohydrogenation intermediates, after the feeding trial. Oleic, palmitic, stearic, and linoleic acids were not significantly (P>0.05) affected by the different treatments. Rumenic acid was linearly lower (P=0.006) in T1 compared to other treatments. The ratio of vaccenic to rumenic acids was linearly and quadratically reduced (P=<0.001) with increased inclusion of WNF. Inclusion of WNF linearly and quadratically increased (P=<0.001) DI-Rumenic acid. The PUFA/SFA was quadratically (P=0.012) lower in T1 compared to T3. Inclusion of water-washed neem fruit in diets of rams increased the concentration of rumenicacid, a conjugated linoleic acid which when incorporated into the animal's tissue has health promoting benefits when consumed by man. Therefore, the proportion of rumenic acid in mutton should be boosted for increased incorporation into ruminant's tissues.