Physicochemical test of leucaena leucocephala pellets using various types of adhesives

Abstract

Forage availability is a problem in developing sustainable livestock farming for ruminants in Indonesia. The availability of forage is influenced by several factors, one of which is the availability of land for fodder crop cultivation. The study aimed to test the physicochemistry of Leucaena leucocephala pellets using various types of adhesives originating from local raw materials in the form of tapioca flour, corn flour, sago flour, and commercial adhesives which were carried out for 1 month, namely August 2022 at the Animal Feed Analysis Unit Laboratory, Unit Laboratory Feed Manufacturing, and Transportation Engineering System Laboratory, Halu Oleo University. The results of the study showed that the use of various types of adhesives on the physical and chemical qualities of Leucaena leucocephala forage pellets had a significant effect on the value of pellet durability index, specific gravity, crude protein, dry matter, and organic matter. In contrast, the density value did not show a significant effect. The best results were found using a 3% sago flour adhesive with a Pellet durability index value of 86.71% and a specific gravity of 1.27 g/ml. The adhesive that can improve the chemical quality of Leucaena leucocephala pellets uses 3% corn flour adhesive, which produces a crude protein content of 24.92%. The highest dry material and organic ingredients values are obtained using 3% Tapioca flour adhesive with values of 95.73% and 88.04%.