Nutrient content and in vitro degradability of the palm kernel meal produced in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, as feed for ruminants

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the nutritional content of palm kernel meal (PM) produced in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, as feed for ruminants. Design/Methodology/Approach: The following were determined: content of dry matter (DM), total protein (TP), ethereal extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), amino acids, long chain fatty acids (LCFA), minerals, polyphenols, and the in vitro degradability of DM (IDDM), of the NDF (IDNDF), and of the ADF (IDADF). Results: The contents were: DM 92.23%, TP 10.56%, EE 7.2%, ash 3,09%, NDF 76,56% and ADF 57,20%. The PM had low concentration of lysine (0.3%), methionine (0.228%) and tryptophan (0.095%), and high contents of lauric acid (50.49%), palmitic acid (10.92%), stearic acid (19.725%), oleic acid (13.56%), copper (23.3 mg kg-1), iron (230.5 mg kg-1), zinc (78.47 mg kg-1) and total phenols (7.8 mg g-1), although the IDDM (46.02%), IDNDF (29.91%) and IDADF (27.61%) were low. Findings/Conclusions: The PM, as byproduct of the oil agroindustry, has some important nutritional characteristics to be used as feed for ruminants. It is recommended to conduct a chemical analysis of this byproduct before including it in balanced meals to have an adequate balance of nutrients