Abstract
Simple SummaryFeeding of fresh cassava root to animals is restricted because it contains hydrocyanic acid at a high level, which is the origin for poisoning. High levels of hydrocyanic acid from fresh cassava root could be detoxified by sulfur addition to become nontoxic to cattle. The addition of 2% sulfur in a fermented total mixed ration containing fresh cassava root and ensiling for 7 days could improve dry matter digestibility, efficiency of microbial protein synthesis, and concentrations of total volatile fatty acid, propionic acid, and blood thiocyanate. The influence of sulfur included in fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing fresh cassava root on rumen characteristics, microbial protein synthesis, and blood metabolites in cattle was evaluated. Four Thai native beef cattle were randomly assigned according to a 2 × 2 factorial in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, and dietary treatments were as follows: factor A included a level of sulfur at 1% and 2% in total mixed ration, and factor B featured ensiling times at zero and 7 days. Digestibility of dry matter was increased when FTMR was supplemented with 2% sulfur. Blood thiocyanate increased by 69.5% when ensiling time was 7 days compared to no ensiling (p < 0.01). Bacterial populations were significantly different in the FTMR containing sulfur at 2% and 7 days of ensiling. Furthermore, microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were higher in the FTMR containing 2% sulfur and 7 days of ensiling (p < 0.01). Thus, high levels of hydrocyanic acid from fresh cassava root could be detoxified by a sulfur addition with an ensiling process to become nontoxic to cattle.
Highlights
Cassava root is the main carbohydrate source produced for ruminant consumption in the tropical zone, Thailand
Feeding of fresh cassava root to animals is restricted because it contains hydrocyanic acid (HCN) at a high level, which is the origin for poisoning
fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) consisted of crude protein (CP), Neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) at 11.6% to 12.8% dry matter (DM), 56.5% to 59.0% DM, and 22.7% to 23.4% DM, respectively
Summary
Cassava root is the main carbohydrate source produced for ruminant consumption in the tropical zone, Thailand. The starchy root is produced generally for human consumption or as a carbohydrate source for animal livestock feed [1]. Fresh cassava root as an energy supplement is beneficial in ruminant diets because of its low price and reduced processing, as compared to cassava chips, as well as its convenience for the farmer [2]. Animals 2019, 9, 261 in the rainy season for its sun-drying process. Feeding of fresh cassava root to animals is restricted because it contains hydrocyanic acid (HCN) at a high level, which is the origin for poisoning. Fresh cassava root contains around 90–114 mg/kg of HCN [3,4]
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