1.0 Introduction
Tropical countries are faced with a perennial problem of inadequate quantity and quality of ruminant feeds, especially during the long dry season (Kayouli, 1997). Feeding cost is one of the major problems in the economic balance of livestock farmer. In most of the semi arid Mediterranean regions, animal feed production is difficult and farmer purchase expensive concentrates. Many shrubs and by-products have been studied by researchers from the Mediterranean continents with the aim to substitute expensive conventional feeds (Silanikove et al., 1994).
In many cases, a problem in utilization of these alternative feed is the presence of anti-nutritional factors, e.g. Tanin, saponin (Terril et al., 1992). The presence of saponins can either be beneficial or harmful. In plants, saponins may serve as anti-feedants, and to protect the plant against microbes and fungi. Some plant saponins may enhance nutrient absorption and to aid animal digestion. However, saponins are bitter to taste, and can reduce palatability of livestock feed (en.wikepedia.org.,2010). The main focus of the seminar is to address the occurrence and nutritional implications of saponins in farm animals.
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