Bromatological analysis of Hevea brasiliensis seeds collected from industrial plantations in Kpoo with a view to their inclusion in the diet of grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck, 1827) at the IRVAG, Republic of Guinea

The objective of this study was to conduct a bromatological analysis of samples from 10 varieties of rubber tree seeds collected from industrial plantations in Kpoo. A total of 10 clones were collected from 10 different sites. Of the 10 clones, 2 show similarities. These include: IRCA109 and IRCA119. The actual harvesting began in the plantations at 13:13 and ended at 17:07. 1 kg of seeds per clone was collected, named and classified according to the collection area. The collected and packaged clones were analysed at the ENVAL laboratory in Ivory Coast. The analyses carried out involved determining the levels of total cyanides, protein, energy value, total carbohydrates, ash, total fat, moisture and volatile matter in the samples.
The results of the sample analyses revealed that ECH: AVRO 5 2037/SITE: KH30 contains less than 0.517 mg CN/kg of cyanide, followed by samples ECH: PB 254/SITE: KH12 at 0.770 mg CN/kg and ECH: BPM 24/SITE: KH 12 at 0.808 mg CN/kg.  The sample ECH: RRIC 100/SITE: KH 37 contains the highest cyanide levels at 5.043 mg CN/kg.
Given the abundance of these raw materials and their relatively low cost in Guinea, the use of these oilseed cakes in grasscutter (Thryonomys swinderianus, Temminck, 1827) feed is expected to reduce the country’s reliance on imported supplementary feed and lower feed costs in the production of grasscutter.