In Vitro Evaluation of Nutrient Content of Asian Palmyra Palm’s (Borassus flabellifer L.) Husk Fermented with EM-4 for Beef Cattle Feed

Abstract

Beef cattle livestock production that affects domestic meat needs is highly determined by meeting feed needs. However, the production is often hampered by continuity and feed cost issues. The husk of Asian Palmyra palm contains high nutrient and can be used as alternative feed. The husk is first fermented with EM-4 to improve its nutrient content. Husk’s potency as livestock feed can be determined by measuring its nutrient, digestibility, and total digestible nutrient TDN value in vitro. This study aimed to determine the effect of in vitro treatment using Asian Palmyra palm fermented with EM-4 on its nutrient content (dry matter-DM, organic matter-OM, crude protein-CP, crude fiber-CF, and crude fat) when it is fed to beef cattle. This experimental quantitative study used Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3 replications. Treatment was differenced by the concentration of EM-4 as fermenter on the husk of Asian Palmyra palm, i.e. 0% (PO); 0.1% (P1); 1% (P2); 5% (P3); and 10% (P4). Parameters observed on nutrient content were among other dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), and crude fat following Association of Official Analytical Chemists-AOAC (1980). To determine the influence, proximate analysis and statistical analysis using One Way ANOVA were employed, followed with 5% Least Significant Difference (LSD) test when significant influence was found. Study result indicated that using husk waste from Asian Palmyra palm (P<0.05) significantly affects nutrient content (DM, OM, CP, CF, and crude fat). Average 1% EM-4 in the husk of Asian Palmyra palm is already capable of improving nutrient content (DM, OM, CP, CF, and crude fat).