The Influence of Alkaloids on Voluntary Intake and Performance by Ruminants Fed Diets Containing Lupin Seed in Kenya

Abstract

Lupin seed has the potential to be used as a protein supplement in ruminant rations, but its usage is restricted by the presence of alkaloids. Experiments were conducted with the aim of determining whether the removal of specific toxic alkaloids, lupanine and 13-hydroxylupanine, from crushed lupin seed (CLS) would improve the organic matter intake (OMI) and average daily gains (ADG) in lambs, and also improve the lactation performance in dairy cows. Effects on liver function in lambs were also investigated. An additional study on the effects of the detoxification of CLS on the degradation of protein was conducted. In Experiment 1, 30 growing Corrie dale lambs were fed five diets for 105 d according to a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six blocks. Two diets contained intact CLS at 15% (LUI-15) or 30% (LUI-30) ofDM; two other diets contained detoxified CLS at 15% (LUD-15) or 30% (LUD-30) and the control (CON) diet was supplemented with crushed sunflower seed, which was locally prepared, on-farm. All diets · were formulated to be isonitrogenous (16% CP). The alkaloid content (lupanine and 13-0H lupanine) of the diets was .31, .70, .21 and .52% for LUI-15, LUI-30, LUD-15 and LUD-30, respectively. Thus, diets containing detoxified CLS contained approximately 30% less alkaloids than those with intact CLS.