Chemical composition and in sacco dry matter degradability of residue and by‐products of palm fruit processing in the rumen of steers

Abstract

The nutritive value of residue (palm calyx leaves (PCL)) and by‐products (palm press fiber (PPF) and palm oil sludge (POS)) of palm fruit processing were studied through analysis of their chemical components and degradability of their dry matter (DM) in the rumen of steers. Chemical analysis showed that the materials have similar organic matter components (mean = 95.2%), while crude protein (CP, g/100 g) and metabolisable energy (ME, MJ/kg DM) were highest in POS (10.02 and 9.43), followed by PPF (7.02 and 8.61) and least in PCL (5.42 and 8.04). An opposite trend of CP and ME was noticed in NDF and ADF contents, being 61.53 and 49.11% in PCL, 44.84 and 32.08% in PPF and 25.35 and 20.29% in POS. Mineral contents showed that PPF and POS had the lowest and highest concentration, respectively, of Mg (0.07 vs. 0.11%), Cu (58.5 vs. 143.9 mg/kg) and Fe (1374.5 vs. 4086.0 mg/kg). Dry matter degradation characteristics and effective degradability varied significantly (P < 0.05) and were consistently highest in POS and least in PCL. Results have generally shown that the residue and by‐products could be ranked for their potential feeding value as POS > PPF > PCL. It is concluded that POS and PPF can be harnessed directly as feed resources for ruminant animals, while PCL will require some treatments to enhance its nutritive value in ruminants.

Chemical composition and in sacco degradability of four varieties of cassava leaves grown in Southwestern Nigeria in the rumen of sheep

“…The a+b values of TMS 30572 and TMS 30555 are outstanding but ranked lower than potential degradability of highly degradable fodder tree species (Millettia thonningii, 'ito': PD=814 g/kg and Albizia lebbeck 'sivis': PD=940 g/kg) reported by Larbi et al (1996), Lablab (PD=737-847 g/kg) reported by Mupangwa et al (2003) as well as Ficus exasperata (PD=85.76%), Spondias mombin (PD=96.69%), Tectona grandis (PD=65.94%) and Terminalia catappa (PD=73.59%) reported by Ikhimioya et al (2005). The rate of degradation c that was best in Idileruwa and least in MS 6 was a reflection of the lignin contents of the incubated materials, and this corroborated observations made in previous studies (Sandoval-Castro et al 2005;Bamikole and Babayemi 2008). Better intake of Idileruwa than other varieties could be predicted in livestock based on their respective C-values, as this signals the potential ruminal load of the feed.…”

“…The availability of these grasses is also seasonal. Ruminant livestock raised in this region, therefore, tend to reflect the cyclical variation in the quantity and quality of these available forages (Bamikole and Babayemi 2008). Ruminant animals, because they have pregastric fermentative digestion of feed, generally do not compete with human beings for vital quality feed resources.…”

Variety diversity effect on the chemical composition and dry matter degradation characteristics of residue and by‐products of oil palm fruits

“…Ether extract (EE) concentration was high in both the PPF and POS but low in PCL in all the three varieties. The high content of EE in PPF and POS is consistent with our earlier observation (Bamikole & Babayemi 2008) in Nigeria and that of Obese et al. (2001) in Ghana.…”

“…All the varieties had higher concentrations of Cu and Fe in their POS, PPF and PCL and this is consistent with observations made in our earlier study (Bamikole & Babayemi 2008). Mineral composition of by‐products from cocoa published by Aregheore (2002) had higher content of Cu but lower content of Fe than what we have obtained in the materials in this study.…”

“…2003) have been geared towards the identification and determination of the nutritive value of more crop residues and agricultural byproducts, with the hope of expanding the scope of available feed resources in this regards for ruminant animals. In line with this evolving scenario, the nutritive value of residue and by‐products resulting from the processing of palm fruits into palm oil was studied in Nigeria (Bamikole & Babayemi 2008). Findings from this study showed that the palm oil sludge (POS) and palm press fibre (PPF), which are the two main by‐products of palm fruit processing, can be used as energy source ingredients in ruminant feeding, while the residue palm calyx (PCL) will require some treatments to improve its digestibility.…”