PROFILE OF ANTINUTRITIONAL FACTORS IN UMBRELLA THORN (VACHELLIA TORTILIS F.) PODS FROM NORTHERN YOBE STATE

Anti-nutritional factors in Umbrella thorn (Vachellia tortilis F.) pods harvested from northern of Yobe State, Nigeria were analysed. Samples of the pods were randomly collected from 18 locations within the study area, using multi-stage sampling procedure. Pods from each sample were processed and levels of saponins, tannins, oxalates and phytates concentration in Umbrella thorn pods were analysed. The results revealed significant (P<0.0001) differences across all the locations. Sample gathered from Afunori shown to have highest 0.93% content for saponins while 0.94% tannins level was found in pods sample from Dogon Jeji village. Oxalates and phytates have highest means values of 1.84% and 32.9% in pods samples from Garin Tsangai and Garanda villages accordingly. The lowest levels 0.54% saponnins, 0.30% tannins, 0.07% oxalates and 15.63% phytates were obtained in pods samples for Dumar, jajeri, kaciya and Goniri kukawa villages correspondingly. Conclusively, Umbrella thorn (Vachellia tortilis) pods are potentially nutritive as forage material for small ruminants’ production and the levels of anti-nutritional factors has no negative effects when consume by small ruminant.