In vitro anthelmintic activity of extracts from coffee pulp waste, maize comb waste and Digitaria eriantha S. hay alone or mixed, against Haemonchus contortus

Purpose This study evaluated the in vitro anthelmintic (AH) activity against Haemonchus contortus of ten extracts obtained from coffee pulp waste (Coffea canephora (Co)), maize comb waste (Zea mays (Zm)), pangola grass hay (Digitaria eriantha Steud (Di) and different mixtures of those materials. Methods Three batches prepared with individual feedstuffs (T1, T2 and T3), 3 batches formed with 2 feedstuffs (50:50 proportion; T4, T5 and T6), a batch combining 3 feedstuffs (T7) and 3 batches combining 3 feedstuffs (T8, T9 and T10). The batches of individual feedstuffs and mixtures were used to determine their chemical composition as well as preparing 10 methanol-water (70-30%) extracts. The in vitro tests used against H. contortus were egg hatch test (EHT), larval mortality test (LMT) and larval exsheathment inhibition test (LEIT). Results Chemical composition suggested that the nutritional value of Co and the batches including Co (T1, T4, T6 to T10) could be used for ruminant nutrition, but the Di and Zm showed very poor nutritional potential unless they are combined with Co. Extracts showing activity against eggs were T4 and T8 (P < 0.05). Significant L-3 mortality was reported for extracts T1, T3, T4 and T8 (P < 0.05). Extracts of T3, T4, T7, T8 and T10 showed an EC50 < 1000 mu g/mL for the L-3 exsheathment inhibition (P < 0.05). Chemical analyses showed the presence of coumarins and flavonoids in all the extracts. Conclusion Extracts obtained from T4 and T8 showed the best overall activity in the three in vitro tests against H. contortus and a good nutritional quality that could be suited for ruminant nutrition.