Copra Meal Research Articles

Production optimization and characterization of mannooligosaccharide generating β-mannanase from Aspergillus oryzae

A multi-tolerant β-mannanase (ManAo) was produced by Aspergillus oryzae on copra meal, a low-cost agro waste. Under statistically optimized conditions, 4.3-fold increase in β-mannanase production (434 U/gds) was obtained. Purified ManAo had MW ∼34 kDa and specific activity of 335.85 U/mg with optimum activity at 60 °C and at pH 5.0. Activity of ManAo was enhanced by most metal ions and modulators while maximum enhancement was noticed with Ag+ and Triton X-100. Km and Vmax were 2.7 mg/mL and 1388.8 µmol/min/mg for locust bean gum while the enzyme showed lower affinity towards konjac gum (8.8 mg/mL, 555.5 µmol/min/mg). Evaluation of various thermodynamic parameters indicated high-efficiency of the ManAo with activation energy 12.42 KJ/mol and 23.31 KJ/mol towards LBG and konjac gum, respectively. End product analysis of β-mannanase action by fluorescence assisted carbohydrate electrophoresis (FACE) revealed the generation of sugars from DP 1-4 with some higher DP MOS from different mannans.

Fresh and stored copra meal in meat quail diets

The aim of the current study was to evaluate the addition of fresh and stored copra meal to the diet of meat quails. Two hundred eighty-seven-day-old male and female quails were distributed in a completely randomized design, with five treatments, in a 2 × 2 + 1factorial arrangement. Two copra meal types (fresh and stored) at inclusion levels of 12.5% and 25%, respectively, were added to a corn-soybean meal-based diet, with seven replicates, of eight quails each. Copra meal acidity index recorded oleic acid percentage increase from 0.47 to 3.03% after six storage months. However, regardless of storage type, its addition to quails' diet resulted in higher values of metabolizable energy, in lower feed intake and better feed conversion than corn-soybean meal diet. Copra meal addition to quails' diet did not affect carcass traits, liver and pancreas relative weight, and bone growth and quality. Although copra meal storage for 180days resulted in higher free fatty acid content in the provided feed, it can be used fresh or after storage, in diet of meat quails from 7 to 42days of age up to 25%.

THE CURRENT SCENARIO AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE COCONUT INDUSTRY

Coconut (Cocos nucifera) or commonly known as 'tree of life ' is planted in over 90 countries, mainly in Asia, Pacific Islands and South America. The total world planted area of coconut is about 12 million ha with the annual estimated potential production of70 billion nuts. Currently, India, Indonesia and Philippines are the major coconut producers, contributing more than 75 per cent of the total global production. The coconut industry has shown rapid growth in the development of coconut products and is in great demand from the American, European, Middle East and East Asian markets. Coconut oil, copra meal, desiccated coconut and coir products are the traditional coconut products, whereas coconut water, virgin coconut oil, coconut milk and cream are amongst those that show the fastest growth. New coconut hybrids have been introduced, whereby their potential copra yield ranged from 7. 65 to 9.12 tonnes per hectare per year. New invasive pests such as Brontispa longissima, Rhynchophorus ferrugineus, Aceria guerreronis and Aspidiotus rigidus have recently been reported attacking coconut farms in South East Asia. Meanwhile, lethal yellowing disease (LYD) that is caused by phytoplasma is the most devastating coconut disease that is currently affecting the coconut production in the Caribbean, Americas and African countries. However, the recent discovery of Bogia coconut syndrome in Papua New Guinea (PNG), the first report of a lethal yellowing disease in Oceania, brings great concern. The coconut industry is driven by the rapid growth and significant demand of coconut based products globally, which has proven to generate greater economic returns for the coconut producers. Therefore, the countries that are heavily dependent on a single industrial crop should take this opportunity to diversify their plantation crop to coconut as their new economic crop. Keywords: Coconut production, coconut supply and demand, coconut products, planting material, pest and disease.

Optimization of enzymatic hydrolysis of copra meal: compositions and properties of the hydrolysate.

This study demonstrated that oligosaccharides from copra meal could be prepared by using a commercial enzyme preparation containing mannanase for use as a prebiotic. The conditions giving the highest hydrolysis rate of the copra meal by the enzyme were pH 4 and temperature of 40°C with an enzyme to substrate ratio (E/S) of 1092.69 β-mannanase activity unit/g of the dried copra meal. Monosaccharide was the predominant product of the hydrolysis reaction followed by di- and tri-saccharide. Activated carbon treatment of the copra meal hydrolysate reduced the monosaccharide content resulting in 36.13% of monosaccharide, 54.26% of disaccharide and 9.61% of trisaccharide. All monosaccharides were eliminated by incubating the copra meal hydrolysate with Saccharomyces cerevisiae for 48h, which promoted the growth of B. breve, L. plantrarum, B. bifidum, L. bugaricus, L. acidophilus, L. brevis, L. casei, B. longum, and S. thermophiles while retarding the growth of the pathogenic bacteria, S. aureus and E. coli.

Optimizing Nutrient Intake of Holstein Dairy Cattle during Early Lactation using Locally-available By-products

Objective: This study made use of a computer-based technique to optimize the nutrient intake of Holstein dairy cattle during early lactation using locally available by-products in order to investigate, analyze and determine how best locally available by-products can be combined effectively and efficiently to formulate least-cost ration. Method: Eight locallyavailable by-products, namely fish meal, corn bran, soybean meal, copra meal, limestone, cracked corn, molasses and spent grain, were considered in this study. In order to obtain optimal feed rations, mathematical models were formulated and solved by taking into consideration the nutrient requirements (net energy for lactation (NEl ), Rumen Degradable Protein (RDP), Crude Protein (CP), Calcium (Ca), and Phosphorus (P)) of lactating dairy cattle, and the nutrient compositions and any restriction factor of the by-products. Findings: Results of the study provide least cost rations that meet the specified nutrient requirements of lactating Holstein dairy cattle. Novelty: Dairy cattle contribute much to the milk production in the country. Hence there is a need for proper cattle feeding management since feeds greatly affect milk production. Keywords: Holstein Dairy Cattle, Locally-Available By-Products, Least Cost Feed Ration, Optimization

Effect of Supplementation Levels of Copra and Palm Meal on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Effect of Supplementation Levels of Copra and Palm Meal on Growth Performance and Carcass Characteristics of Hanwoo Steers

Optimization of hydrolysis conditions for the mannooligosaccharides copra meal hydrolysate production.

Copra meal is a good source of galactomannan and its mannooligosaccharides have prebiotic properties. However, limited data are available concerning the ideal requirements for mannan hydrolysis. Thus, optimum hydrolysis conditions for the production of oligosaccharides from copra meal hydrolysate were investigated using response surface methodology. Model validation provided good agreement between experimental results and predicted responses. Maximum oligosaccharide of 14.41±0.09mg/ml (20ml) was obtained at an enzyme concentration of 16.52U/ml, substrate concentration 15% and reaction time 12h. On a larger scale, this increased to 15.76±0.04mg/ml (200ml) and 16.89mg/ml (2000ml). Defatted copra meal hydrolysate promoted the growth of beneficial bacteria as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, while inhibiting pathogens Salmonella serovar Enteritidis S003, Escherichia coli E010, Staphylococcus aureus TISTR 029 and Shigella dysenteriae DMST 1511. Higher yield of oligosaccharides under optimum conditions indicated the potential of this method for production of mannooligosaccharides from copra meal hydrolysate on an industrial scale.

Kinetic properties analysis of beta-mannanase from Klebsiella oxytoca KUB-CW2-3 expressed in Escherichia coli

Endo-1,4-β-mannanase is an enzyme that can catalyze the random hydrolysis of β-1,4-mannosidic linkages in the main chain of mannans, glucomannans and galactomannans and offers many applications in different biotechnology industries. Purification and kinetic properties of the endo-1,4-β-mannanase from recombinant Escherichia coli strain KMAN-3 were examined. Recombinant β-mannanase (KMAN-3) was purified 50.5 fold using Ni-NTA Agarose resin and specific activity of 11900 U/mg protein was obtained. Purified KMAN-3 showed a single band on SDS-PAGE with a molecular weight of 43 kDa. Km and Vmax values of KMAN-3 on ivory nut mannan, locust bean gum, defatted copra meal and konjac glucomannan were 243, 3.83 × 105 37 and 2.13 × 106 mg ml−1 and 2940, 61,100, 3930 and 1.56 × 1010 mg−1, respectively. Carboxymethyl cellulose was not digested by KMAN-3.

In vitro fermentation of copra meal hydrolysate by chicken microbiota.

The aim of this study was to carry out preliminary investigations on the in vitro fermentation selectivity of copra meal hydrolysate (CMH) by chicken gut microbiota. The ileum and cecum contents from three 35-day-old birds were used as inocula. Yeast mannooligosaccharide (yeast-MOS) or α-mannan was selected as a positive control. Batch culture fermentation with fecal bacteria was performed at 42°C for 24h in an anaerobic chamber. Samples were collected at 0, 6, 12, 18 and 24h of fermentation and evaluated using real-time PCR and short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) analysis. Results showed that the medium containing ileum and both CMH and yeast-MOS substrates led to an increase in the growth of the dominant groups as Lactobacillus, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococcus spp. compared with 0-h fermentation. Campylobacter spp. and Bifidobacterium spp. were not detected in any samples. A significant decrease in Acinetobacter was observed in all substrates tested after 6h of fermentation (P<0.05). Only the sample from CMH fermentation showed a significantly greater reduction in the population of Pseudomonas after 18-h fermentation with ileum content (P<0.05). Propionate was the main fermentation product found in both ileum and cecum fermentation followed by lactate and acetate. CMH can be utilized by ileum and cecum microbial of chickens, and CMH has a generally desirable effect on the microbiota. CMH has the potential for use as a supplementary diet with similar or improved benefits and lower costs compared to commercial prebiotics. Further experiments in animal trials would seem to be justified.

Characterization of cellulase from Aspergillus tubingensis NKBP-55 for generation of fermentable sugars from agricultural residues

The aim of this work was to characterize cellulase from Aspergillus tubingensis NKBP-55 for generation of fermentable sugars from agricultural residues. The strain produced high titres of cellulase (750 U/gds) on copra meal in solid state fermentation (SSF). The enzyme preparation also showed hemicellulolytic activities (U/gds) viz. endo-mannanase (1023), endo-xylanase (167), β-glucosidase (72) and α-galactosidase (54). Zymography revealed presence of six cellulases, six mannanases and one β-glucosidase. It effectively degraded sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and rice straw (RS) releasing xylose, glucose and cellobiose. One cellulase (Cat 1, Mr ∼65 kDa) was purified and characterized. It retained more than 50% activity at 70 °C after 150 mins and its activity was enhanced in the presence of Mn2+ ions (130%) and β-mercaptoethanol (140%). FTIR and 13C CP/MAS NMR analysis of the enzyme treated SCB and RS revealed degradation of cellulose and hemicellulose, while 1H and 13C liquid state NMR experiments confirmed release of glucose.

Gluten free approach in fat and sugar amended biscuits: A healthy concern for obese and diabetic individuals

Flour premix of copra meal 15% with germinated foxtail millet 85% blended with amaranth in 60:40 proportions to get gluten free, calorie deficient composite mix for biscuits. Attempts were made for obese and diabetics as target population with maltodextrin and acesulfame-k to find the extent of possible partial replacement of bakery fat and table sugar, respectively. It was found that substitution feasibility to 48% fat and 47% sugar lie within the acceptable limits of physical and sensorial properties comparable to control sample. Successful calorie reduction in fat and binary (fat and sugar) amended biscuits were achieved to 364.58 kcal/g and 315.97 kcal/g, respectively, as in comparison with control (471.01 kcal/g). Low anti-nutrients (phytate and tannin) and increased polyphenols in biscuits is a function of germinated foxtail millet. Acrylamide development also restricted to 0.193 µg/g in sugar replaced and 0.32 µg/g in sugar and fat replaced biscuits comparable to control (0.5 µg/g). Practical applications Copra as by-product from coconut industry is rich in fiber and protein but still restricted to as livestock feed till date. Its utilization for human is itself a novel approach. Standardized inclusion of copra meal to selected nutritious gluten free grains reveals a healthy budgetary option. Further, intentional substitution of dense calorie compounds (fat and sugar) with their calorie deficit counterpart to target obese and diabetic along with celiac is investigated. Owe to protein richness of selected coarse cereal varieties and copra, huge malnourished population may easily access pseudo cereal and coarse cereal based composite food with enhanced health attributes.

Oligosaccharide biotechnology: an approach of prebiotic revolution on the industry.

Oligosaccharides are polymers with two to ten monosaccharide residues which have sweetener functions and sensory characteristics, in addition to exerting physiological effects on human health. The ones called nondigestible exhibit a prebiotic behavior being fermented by colonic microflora or stimulating the growth of beneficial bacteria, playing roles in the immune system, protecting against cancer, and preventing cardiovascular and metabolic issues. The global prebiotics market is expected to grow around 12.7% in the next 8years, so manufacturers are developing new alternatives to obtain sustainable and efficient processes for application on a large scale. Most studied examples of biotechnological processes involve the development of new strategies for fructooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, xylooligosaccharide, and mannanooligosaccharide synthesis. Among these, the use of whole cells in fermentation, synthesis of microbial enzymes (β-fructofuranosidases, β-galactosidases, xylanases, and β-mannanases), and enzymatic process development (permeabilization, immobilization, gene expression) can be highlighted, especially if the production costs are reduced by the use of agro-industrial residues or by-products such as molasses, milk whey, cotton stalks, corncobs, wheat straw, poplar wood, sugarcane bagasse, and copra meal. This review comprises recent studies to demonstrate the potential for biotechnological production of oligosaccharides, and also aspects that need more investigation for future applications in a large scale.

Mannanase Enzyme from Bacillus subtilis P2-5 with Waste Management

Nowadays, waste disposal has become a major of environment problem in Thailand because the volume of waste increase due to population growth and social behavior. It required optimal solutions in waste management. People should realize fundamental of 3R including reduce recycle and reuse in order to improve environment condition. This research interested in coffee grounds and tea waste because they were generated from household and industrial thus require to disposal or added value. The objective of this research was recycle coffee grounds and tea waste by utilize as a raw material for mannanase enzyme production. Mannanase enzyme can hydrolyze mannan structure, containing in plant such as konjac, ivory nut, locust bean gum, guar gum, palm kernel, coffee bean and copra meal. The methodology was a randomized complete block design to studied mannanase enzyme activity in different condition. There were two factors consist of inoculum percentage; Bacillus subtilis P2-5 had three levels (1, 3 and 5% (v/v) and three sources (locust bean gum, coffee grounds and tea waste) in producing medium (PM) for mannanase production. An analysis of variances (ANOVA) method was applied to determine the effect of inoculum percentage and regression analysis to predict mannanase enzyme activity. The test result found that inoculum percentage and three sources significantly affecting the mannanase enzyme activity. The prediction model had been formulated and prioritize source which produce the high mannanase enzyme activity as following tea waste, coffee grounds and locust bean gum, respectively. This research would be guidelines for waste management strategy to achieve sustainability approach.

Various levels of copra meal supplementation with \u03b2-Mannanase on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, pork quality and economical analysis in growing-finishing pigs

BackgroundTo reduce use of main feed ingredient like corn, soy bean meal (SBM) and wheat, alternative ingredients has been studied like copra meal (CM). Production amount of CM which has been high makes CM to be an alternative feed stuff. However, low digestibility on AA and low energy content by high fiber content can be an obstacle for using CM. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of CM supplementation with β-mannanase on growth performance, blood profile, nutrient digestibility, pork quality and economic analysis in growing-finishing pigs.MethodsA total of 100 growing pigs ([Yorkshire × Landrace] × Duroc) averaging 31.22 ± 2.04 kg body weight were allotted to 5 different treatments by weight and sex in a randomized complete block (RCB) design in 5 replicate with 4 pigs per pen. Treatments were 1) Control (corn-SBM based diet + 0.1% of β-mannanase (800 IU)), 2) CM10 (10% copra meal + 0.1% β-mannanase (800 IU)), 3) CM15 (15% copra meal + 0.1% β-mannanase (800 IU)), 4) CM20 (20% copra meal + 0.1% β-mannanase (800 IU)) and 5) CM25 (25% copra meal + 0.1% β-mannanase (800 IU)). Four phase feeding program was used: growing I (week 1–3), growing II (week 4–6), finishing I (week 7–9) and finishing II (week 10–12).ResultsIn growth performance, there was no significant difference among treatments during whole experimental period. In growingI phase, G:F ratio tended to increase when CM was increased (P = 0.05), but ADG and ADFI tended to decrease in finishingII phase (linear, P = 0.08). Also, increasing CM reduced ADG (linear, P = 0.02) and feed efficiency (linear, P = 0.08) during the whole finishing period. In blood profiles, BUN was linearly increased as CM increased (linear, P = 0.02) at growingII period. In digestibility trial, there was no significant difference in dry matter, crude fat, crude ash and nitrogen digestibility. However, crude protein digestibility was decreased linearly (linear, P = 0.02). In economic analysis, feed cost per weight gain and total feed cost per pig were reduced in overall period when CM was provided by 25% (linear, P = 0.02).ConclusionCM with 0.1% of β-mannanase (800 IU) could be supplemented instead of corn and SBM up to 25% without detrimental effects on growth performance and pork quality of growing-finishing pigs.

Secretory expression of β-mannanase from Bacillus circulans NT 6.7 in Lactobacillus plantarum

The β-mannanase gene of Bacillus circulans NT 6.7 was successfully cloned in Lactobacillus plantarum WCFS1 using the pSIP403 expression vector and secreted to the supernatant rather than accumulated in the cells. The highest activity was achieved by controlling the pH at 6 during cultivation. Maximum mannanase activities detected in the supernatant and cell-free extract of 200 ml MRS broth were 8.2 and 0.86 U/ml, respectively. Enzyme activity in the supernatant increased to 27 U/ml by fermentation in a 5-L bioreactor with automatic pH control. The optimum temperature of recombinant β-mannanase was 50 °C and stable between 30 and 50 °C. The optimum pH was 6 with stability in the range 5–7. Enzyme activity slightly increased with Co2+ but was strongly inhibited by EDTA. The enzyme exhibited high specificity to galactomannan substrates. The main products of copra meal and locust bean gum hydrolysis were manno-oligosaccharides. Therefore, recombinant β-mannanase produced from a food grade host, L. plantarum WCFS1, showed potential for use in manno-oligosaccharides production and other food-related applications.

Effect of dietary mannan-oligosaccharides from copra meal on intestinal microbes and blood profile of broiler chickens

Mannan-oligosaccharides (MOS) is a common prebiotics used as a feed additives. The use of antibiotic can be replaced by MOS to reduce the number of pathogenic bacteria in small intestines of chickens. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of MOS extracted from copra meal on intestinal microbial population and blood profile of broiler chickens. The study was conducted by using 150 day-old male broiler chickens (average body weight 46.00 + 1.41 g). The design of this experiment was a completely randomized design (CRD) with 3 dietary treatments, 5 replications and 10 birds in each replication. The dietary treatments consisted of control diet (corn-soybean meal diet without supplementation of antibiotic and prebiotic), control + 0.1% antibiotic bambermycin, and control + 0.035% MOS. For the first 4 weeks the birds were fed treatment diets, followed by commercial feed for 2 weeks. The parameters observed in this study were intestinal microbes population and blood profiles. The results showed that the administration of 0,035% MOS increased the lactic acid bacteria (LAB) number compared with antibiotics feed (P&lt;0.05), but not significantly different (P &gt;0.05) with the control group. The total aerobic and coliform bacteria were higher in MOS and antibiotic treatment compared than control group. The supplementation of 0.035% MOS from copra meal in diet increased the level of leucocytes which is important to immune response of broilers and its usage was safe because the level of chicken blood profile were within the normal range.

Effect of some common West African farm-made feeds on the oxygen consumption and ammonia excretion rates of Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus

The effects of two common West African farm-made feeds on postprandial metabolism were assessed in adult Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) by quantifying the oxygen consumption rates (MO2) and total ammonia-nitrogen (TAN) excretion over a 24-h period. Measurements followed the ingestion of a single meal of a fishmeal-based control diet and two diets containing 30% copra (CM) or palm kernel meal (PKM) inclusions by groups of 15 adult O. niloticus per tank. The mean net MO2 (postprandial oxygen consumption corrected for routine metabolic rate) during digestion for the different tilapia groups varied narrowly between 112.2 ± 9.9 and 129.9 ± 20.4 mg O2 kg−1 h−1 with the fish fed the CM diet recording a significantly lower (p = 0.04) net MO2 response relative to the other two diets. Net TAN excretion rates of the different dietary groups varied between 3.4 ± 1.4 and 4.4 ± 1.6 mg TAN kg−1 h−1. Under the standardized experimental conditions, copra and PKMs appeared to be promising candidates as partial replacements to fishmeal in tilapia diets as far as rates of oxygen consumption and ammonia-nitrogen excretion are concerned.

Kinetic and in vitro ruminal fermentation characteristics of copra meal diets with different fat levels

This study aimed at evaluating the chemical composition and in vitro ruminal characteristics of diets using copra meal with different fat contents. Three levels of copra meal inclusion (10, 20 and 30%) and two levels of fat (high-fat copra meal – HFCM and low-fat copra meal – LFCM) were used in replacement of soybean meal. The addition of copra meal increased EE and reduced CP and NFC of diets, especially when HFCM was included. Treatments with the inclusion of 30% copra meal had a higher colonization time (L), independently of fat content. The maximum gas production was reduced from 59.06 to 39.21 mL/g DM with the addition of HFCM, but was not affected when diets contained LFCM. Digestibility was also reduced with the addition of copra meal, the highest reduction being with the addition of 30% copra meal. Copra meal inclusion has reduced the ammonia concentration from 29.75 mg/100 mL (control diet) to 17.05 mg/100 mL (30% copra meal) but did not affect significantly methane production. Copra meal impacts the chemical composition and ruminal fermentation characteristics of diets, especially when containing high oil content.

Coefficient of standardized total tract digestibility of phosphorus in oilseed meals and distillers dried grains in growing-finishing pigs

This study was conducted to determine the coefficient of total tract standardized digestibility (CTTSD) of phosphorus (P) in oilseed meals and distillers dried grains (DDG) fed to growing-finishing pigs. Twelve barrows (initial bodyweight (BW) standard deviation, 52.25 +/- 2.57 kg) were allocated individually to metabolism cages. The experimental design was a 12 x 8 incomplete Latin square with 12 dietary treatments and eight replication periods. The diets were formulated individually with dehulled soybean meal produced in Korea (SBM-KD), soybean meal produced in India (SBM-I), soybean meal produced in Korea (SBM-K), corn high-protein distiller dried grains (HPDDGs), tapioca distillers dried grains (TDDG), canola meal (CAM), corn germ meal (CGM), copra meal (CM), palm kernel meal (PKM), sesame meal (SM), perilla meal (PM), and a P-free diet. Intake of P was highest in SM and PM. Excretion of P was reduced in y ascending order as HPDDG, TDDG and CGM; SBM-K; and SM and PM. The CTTAD of P was higher in CGM than SBM-K, TDDG, SM and PM. HPDDG and CGM showed greater CTTSD of P than SBM-K, CAM and PM. Digestible concentration of P on CTTSD (CTTSD-P) of P was greater in PM and CAM than the others except for SBM-KD. In summary, PM could be utilized as an alternative feedstuff to SBM, but its usage is regarded only as a source of P. In addition, the results of the current study would provide valuable information for formulating pig feed with precise P utilization in ingredients using mixed diets

Influence of Dietary Protein Source and Utilisation of Copra Meal in Finishing Broiler Chicken

The effect of dietary protein sources on the utilisation of copra meal was investigated in Cobb broilers. A control finisher diet based on fish meal (FM), meat and bone meal (MBM) and full-fat soybean (FFSB) and four other diets containing expeller copra meal (ECM) with combinations of these traditional protein sources (FM+ MBM, FFSB+FM, FFSB+FM+MBM and FFSB+MBM) were fed each to 4 replicates of 5 birds each in a completely randomized design. Body weight gain was highest (P<0.05) in birds fed diets containing ECM with FM+MBM. There were no significant dietary effects on feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Dressing percentage was depressed (P<0.05) in the diet based on ECM with FFSB+FM+MBM. The relative weight of breast muscle reduced (P<0.05) in group offered ECM along with FFSB+FM and FFSB+FM+MBM. Furthermore, there were no dietary effects on the weight of thighs and drumsticks. Nevertheless, birds fed ECM with FM+MBM recorded the lowest (P<0.05) weights of digesta in the crop and small intestine. There were no significant dietary effects on weight of digesta in the gizzard and caeca. The highest (P<0.05) digesta weight in the proventriculus was observed in the birds fed on FFSB+FM+MBM. Total tract apparent digestibility of DM and CP improved (P<0.05) on FM+MBM. Total tract nitrogen retention was lower (P<0.05) with FFSB+FM and FFSB+MBM as compared to control. However, fat digestibility was depressed (P<0.05) in the control diet. It could be concluded that dietary protein sources exerted significant influence on the utilisation of copra meal by broilers and the combination of ECM with animal protein sources yielded the best results in terms of performance of Cobb broilers.