The use of Mucuna pruriens seed powder in animal feed as a protein source is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors. Therefore, to study the effect of soaking and toasting on the chemical composition, intake, and in vivo digestibility of two varieties of Mucuna pruriens seeds (var cochinchinensis and utilis), 84 local breed guinea pigs including 42 males and 42 females, aged five months were used. They were divided into four batches of 6 males and 6 females each. Each batch was assigned a ration containing 0% (control), and 20% of Mucuna pruriens (var cochinchinensis and utilis) depending on whether it was raw, soaked, or roasted respectively. The results showed that the chemical composition of the Mucuna seed powder changed from one treatment to another depending on the variety. The DM content of the toasted seeds of Mucuna pruriens variety cochinchinensis was higher than that of the soaked or raw seeds, except PB where the opposite effect was observed depending on whether the seeds were raw, toasted, or soaked, especially DM (90.00% DM; 96.33% MS; 93.33% MS), MO (87.00%MS; 92.67%MS; 91%MS), CB (6.33% MS; 13.00%MS; 11.62%MS) and PB (22.00%MS; 24.00%MS; 29%MS). The intake of toasted` seeds of Mucuna pruriens cochinchinensis was significantly higher (p>0.05) than that of soaked, or raw seeds. Variety did not significantly (p>0.05) influence nutrient intake when Mucuna pruriens seeds were raw. Whereas, the intake of the utilis (black) variety of toasted or soaked Mucuna pruriens seeds was significantly higher than that of the cochinchinensis (white) variety. Similarly, gender significantly affected intake, males had better seed intake than females, and the digestibility of DM, OM, BP, and BC of the different rations were comparable (p>0.05). However, the males appreciated the RmtC ration better than the females where the R0, RmCC and RmTC rations were palatable. This study shows that the seeds of both varieties of Mucuna pruriens can be used in the diet of guinea pigs as an alternative source of protein but for better zootechnical performance it would be desirable to use the variety used.
