Nutritive Value, Digestibility and Gas Production of Fermented Sugar Palm Peel with Pineapple Peel

Abstract

An experiment was conducted to examine the nutritive value, digestibility and gas production of fermented sugar palm peel with pineapple peel. The treatment was conducted as a 3×2 factorial in a completely randomized design (CRD). The experiment consisted of six treatment combinations; sugar palm peel to pineapple peel ratios (2:1, 1:1 and 1:2 by weight) and fermentation times (day-14 and day-21). All treatment combinations were fermented under anaerobic condition in airtight plastic pouches. The result showed that ether extract content of fermented sugar palm peel with pineapple peel in 2:1 ratio at day-14 was significantly higher than other treatment combinations (P 0.05) thereafter (24 hr, 48 hr and 72 hr). Fermented sugar palm peel with pineapple peel in 2:1 ratio at day-21 recorded the highest gas volume (45.16 ml). Results of this study suggested that the fermented sugar palm peel with pineapple peel in 1:2 ratio at day-14 produced a lower fiber content and higher digestibility silage, making it a suitable silage for ruminant animal since high fiber content had adverse effect on the nutrients digestibility.