Phenolics and in‐vitro degradability of protein and fibre in West African Browse

Relationships among soluble phenolics, soluble and insoluble proanthocyanidins (PAC), lignin, N, neutral‐detergent fibre (NDF), and in‐vitro degradability of protein and NDF were determined in 72 West African fodder trees and shrubs. Species were collected in the semi‐arid (Niger), sub‐humid (Nigeria) and humid/sub‐humid (Benin) zones. Variation among species in chemical composition and in‐vitro degradability of protein and NDF was large. Zones did not differ in mean content of phenolic compounds. Protein degradability was negatively correlated with soluble phenolics (r = −0.34, P < 0.01) and soluble PAC (r = −0.47, P < 0.001). NDF was positively correlated with soluble PAC (r = 0.44, P < 0.001), insoluble PAC (r = 0.28, P < 0.05) and lignin (r = 0.76, P < 0.001). NDF degradability was negatively correlated with soluble PAC (r = −0.40, P < 0.001) and lignin (r = −0.59, P < 0.001). Chemical composition and in‐vitro degradability along with field observations can provide useful criteria for determining the nutritive value of browse species. Copyright © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd