Waste to wealth: Tigernut discards as an underutilized feed resources

Abstract

Phytochemical and Nutrients assay of raw and fermented tigernut discard meals coded as RTDM and
FTDM respectively were studied using standard methods. Results of the proximate analyses showed that
FTDM contained significantly (p<0.05) higher nutrients than RTDM except the Nitrogen free extract
(soluble carbohydrate). Nevertheless, the phyto-toxins in FTDM were significantly lower (p<0.05) in
concentration compared with RTDM especially the polyphenols but no significant (p>0.05) difference was
observed in Phytates and oxalate values respectively. It could be deduced from this study that tigernut
discards contained valuable nutrients comparable with some orthodox energy feedstuffs such as maize
and millet, hence, should not be allowed to rot on the field thereby constituting environmental filths and
disposal problems.