Palm kernel meal as the major protein concentrate in the diets of pigs in the tropics

Abstract

Three trials were carried out to determine the suitability of locally produced palm kernel meal ( P K M ) as the major protein concentrate in the diets of weaners, growers and fattening pigs in the tropics. Large White and Large White x Landrace cross barrows and gilts were used. These were individually fed at semirestricted levels the various diets formulated to contain approximately 15, 12 and 16.5 % crude protein for trials 1, 2 and 3 respectively, the PKM or other protein sources contributing at least 50% of the total dietary protein in all the diets. In trial 1, pigs on the PKM diet grew at a lower rate, had poorer feed:gain ratio and protein efficiency ratio and lower feed consumption than the pigs on other diets. Pigs on a fish meal diet (FM) had the best performance throughout. In trial 2, the same trends as for trial 1 were observed, except that pigs on the dried skimmed milk (DSM) diet performed better than those on all other diets. In trial 3, the pigs on the PKM diet supplemented with 10% groundnut cake or 15% DSM had slower growth rate and lower feed:gain ratio than the pigs on other diets containing lower quantities of PKM supplemented with fish meal (FM) or blood meal (BM).

Nutritional evaluation of palm kernel meal types: 1. Proximate composition and metabolizable energy values

“…This is definitely due to greater concentration of the nutrient because of the lower amount of fat left after the solvent extraction process. The crude fibre values observed were higher than that earlier reported by Babatunde et al (1975). The crude fibre value reported by Olomu (1995) was within the range of values observed in this study.…”

“…For instance, PKM has been found to contain between 16.0 and 21.3% crude protein with low content of lysine, methionine, histidine and threonine (Nwokolo et al, 1977;Olomu, 1995). The crude fibre content ranges from 6.7% (Babatunde et al, 1975) to 17.5% (Olomu, 1995). It has an estimated ash content of 4.30% (Yeong, 1980;NIFOR, 1995).…”

Effects of different levels of date pits on performance, carcass characteristics and blood parameters of broiler chickens

“…This could be due to the high fibre level of DP and its gritty nature, which reduce digestibility and possibly the availability of nutrients especially amino acids (Yeong 1983;Onwudike 1986). According to Babatunde et al (1975), the structure of DP is fibrous, and therefore may reduce digestive enzyme action on DP protein and availability of the protein. In agreement with present study, Jumah et al (1973) found that adding DP to broiler diets observed a reduction in body weight gain compared with the control diet (0% DP).…”

“…This could be due to presence of the high fibre in DP and its gritty nature, which reduce digestibility and possibly the availability of nutrients especially amino acids (Yeong 1983;Onwudike 1986). The fibre in DP, according to Babatunde et al (1975), has lingocellulosic structure; therefore, reducing digestive enzyme action on DP protein and availability of the protein.…”

Energy evaluation of protein sources for young swine

“…This calcium and phosphorus content is in excess of the requirement of .8% cal cium and .6% phosphorus recommended by NRC (1973) for 5 to 10 kg pigs. Babatunde et al (1975) reported that, with about 3.84% calcium and 1.93% phosphorus in the diets of pigs, appetite could be reduced, and feed con sumption significantly depressed. The high calcium and phosphorus level of the basal diet in the present experiment, probably combined with amino acid imbalance, caused poor feed intake at higher levels of feeding and the poor efficiency of utilization of ME for energy gain.…”