Ruminant Feed Research Articles

Resistance profile of Escherichia coli isolated from stool, feed, and compost sources to antibiotics in Sukabumi

Antibiotic-resistant E. coli is a growing concern in various settings, but environmental studies are rare compared to clinical research on human and animal health. This study aimed to identify the prevalence of E. coli bacteria resistant to different antibiotics in the environment by examining E. coli resistant to cefotaxime isolated from ruminant stool, feed, and compost. The phenotyping test was conducted through antibiotic susceptibility test using Kirby-Bauer disk-diffusion method, followed by the One-Way variance (ANOVA) analysis of the antibiotic susceptibility test results. Of the 12 isolates exposed to cefotaxime, six showed resistance to this antibiotic, and all isolates, including those resistant to cefotaxime, were resistant to eight out of ten types of antibiotics. All isolates had resistance to at least two to five types of antibiotics. The phenotypic pattern between fecal isolates and non-fecal isolates did not differ significantly, except for the antibiotics amoxicillin (p≤0.05) and ampicillin (p≤0.05). The overlapping resistance patterns observed in animal feed, animal stool, and compost suggest a potential link between their microbiological compositions.

Nucleic acid-extracted torula yeast from the paper industry as a protein feed for ruminants: A comparison with soybean meal.

We compared nucleic acid-extracted torula yeast (NTY) with soybean meal (SBM) to evaluate NTY as a potential protein feed for ruminants in a metabolic trial using four castrated male goats. NTY was replaced isonitrogenously with SBM at a 25% crude protein (CP) level on a dry matter (DM) basis. NTY has 55% CP and 74% total digestive nutrients on DM. Absorbed N was lower on the NTY diet, but since the urinary N excretion was lower on the NTY diet, no significant between-diet difference in retained N was observed. The efficiency of N utilization (retained N/absorbed N) was significantly higher on the NTY diet. The Lys and Met contents (presumed limiting amino acids for dairy cattle) were higher in NTY than SBM, which may be why N utilization efficiency was higher for the NTY diet. Ruminal ammonia-N and blood serum N were lower on the NTY diet, suggesting that NTY has more rumen undegradable protein than SBM. There was no significant between-diet difference in the visceral disorder indicators or antioxidant activities. Our results indicate that NTY is a safe protein feed with a high CP ratio and high-quality amino acid profile for ruminants that is equivalent to SBM.

Chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation characteristics of various tropical seaweeds.

This research aimed to evaluate potential tropical seaweed from Indonesia as an ingredient or supplement feed for ruminants based on chemical composition and in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. The seven natural tropical seaweeds (three green and four red species) were collected from Ndrini and Sepanjang Beach, Gunungkidul, Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The experimental design on secondary metabolite profiles used a completely randomized design, and the in vitro gas production test used a randomized complete block design with seven seaweed species variances and four replications (blocks) based on rumen fluid collection time. The data obtained was analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), and Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to test the variation in the analysis. The seven tropical seaweed species have potential as mineral sources for ruminants, except for macromineral (P and S) and micromineral (Cu). The red tropical seaweed has potential as a protein source (Gelidium spinosum (S.G.Gmelin) P.C. Silva, Hypnea pannosa, and Acanthopora muscoides (L.) Bory), and the green seaweed (Chaetomorpha linum (O.F. Mull.) Kutz and Cladopora sp.) has potential as a crude fiber (CF) source for ruminants. As indicated by secondary metabolites and gas production in vitro, the green species (C. linum (O.F. Mull.) Kutz and Enteromorpha compressa) and red species (A. muscoides (L.) Bory and Gelidium amansii (J.V. Lamouroux) J.V. Lamouroux) could be degraded in the rumen and had quite high phenolic compounds. The seven tropical seaweed species have the potential to be an ingredient or supplement feed for ruminants, and there were four species that have the potential to reduce methane emissions.

Níveis crescentes de fubá de milho melhoram parâmetros químico-bromatológicos e fermentativos da silagem de maniçoba

Abstract Ensiling maniçoba (Manihot pseudoglaziovii) is essential to preserve the nutrients of this forage plant. However, the plant moisture content may generate undesirable fermentations. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different cornmeal inclusion levels (0%, 10%, 20%, and 30%) on the chemical composition and fermentation parameters of maniçoba silage, in addition to identifying the variables most affected by cornmeal. The concentrations of dry matter (DM), non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and propionic acid increased with cornmeal inclusion levels (P < 0.05). Crude protein (CP), lignin, and butyric acid contents, as well as pH, were reduced by the additive (P < 0.05). Principal component analysis resulted in two main groups. Group I was formed by variables positively affected by cornmeal inclusion, namely DM, hemicellulose, NFC, and TDN. Group II contained variables that were negatively affected by cornmeal, namely CP, lignin, mineral matter, and butyric acid. Regardless of the addition of cornmeal, maniçoba silage displays an adequate chemical composition and a good fermentation profile for ruminant feeding. Dry matter and total digestible nutrients are the chemical variables most influenced by cornmeal inclusion, whereas pH and butyric acid are the fermentative parameters most affected by the moisture-absorbent additive. Including moderate levels of cornmeal in maniçoba silage is recommended to achieve the best fermentation profile and the highest concentration of digestible nutrients without mischaracterizing it as a roughage feed.

The potency of rice straw for ruminant feed on several rice varieties

Indonesia has a lot of rice varieties. However, to the authors’ knowledge, studies on the potential of several rice varieties as ruminant feed have never been carried out. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze the potential of rice straws of several rice varieties for ruminant feed. The study was conducted in 2021 in South Lampung District, Lampung Province, Indonesia. Seven rice varieties (Inpari 30, Inpari 32, Inpari 33, Inpari 35, Ciherang, Bestari, and Cilamaya Muncul) were used in this study. The variables observed were vegetative and production characteristics. The vegetative characteristics observed were plant height, stump height, straw length, and the percentage of straw height and plant height. The production variables observed were the number of tillers per hill, straw weight, the ratio of straw and grain weight, and the percentage of straw length and plant height. The data obtained were analyzed using the single factor analysis of variance (ANOVA). The result showed that plant heights were significantly different among rice varieties (P<0.01). Inpari 35 variety has the highest plant and the widest straw length compared to others. Inpari 32, Ciherang, and Bestari, on the other hand, have the highest stump height. Inpari 33 and Inpari 35 have the widest straw length and plant height percentage. Meanwhile, Cilamaya Muncul has the highest number of tillers per hill, straw weight, the ratio of straw weight, and straw weight and plant weight percentage. It was concluded that the Cilamaya Muncul variety has the best potency for ruminant feed.

Comparative Nutritive Values of Leaves and Fruits of Boscia senegalensis as Potential Feed for Small Ruminant in Semi Arid Zone of North Eastern Nigeria

Comparative Nutritive Values of Leaves and Fruits of Boscia senegalensis as Potential Feed for Small Ruminant in Semi Arid Zone of North Eastern Nigeria

A Glycosyl Hydrolase 30 Family Xylanase from the Rumen Metagenome and Its Effects on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation of Wheat Straw.

The challenge of wheat straw as a ruminant feed is its low ruminal digestibility. This study investigated the impact of a xylanase called RuXyn, derived from the rumen metagenome of beef cattle, on the in vitro ruminal fermentation of wheat straw. RuXyn encoded 505 amino acids and was categorized within subfamily 8 of the glycosyl hydrolase 30 family. RuXyn was heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli and displayed its highest level of activity at pH 6.0 and 40 °C. RuXyn primarily hydrolyzed xylan, while it did not show any noticeable activity towards other substrates, including carboxymethylcellulose and Avicel. At concentrations of 5 mM, Mn2+ and dithiothreitol significantly enhanced RuXyn's activity by 73% and 20%, respectively. RuXyn's activity was almost or completely inactivated in the presence of Cu2+, even at low concentrations. The main hydrolysis products of corncob xylan by RuXyn were xylopentose, xylotriose, and xylotetraose. RuXyn hydrolyzed wheat straw and rice straw more effectively than it did other agricultural by-products. A remarkable synergistic effect was observed between RuXyn and a cellulase cocktail on wheat straw hydrolysis. Supplementation with RuXyn increased dry matter digestibility; acetate, propionate, valerate, and total volatile fatty acid yields; NH3-N concentration, and total bacterial number during in vitro fermentation of wheat straw relative to the control. RuXyn's inactivity at 60 °C and 70 °C was remedied by mutating proline 151 to phenylalanine and aspartic acid 204 to leucine, boosting activity to 20.3% and 21.8% of the maximum activity at the respective temperatures. As an exogenous enzyme preparation, RuXyn exhibits considerable potential to improve ruminal digestion and the utilization of wheat straw in ruminants. As far as we know, this is the first study on a GH30 xylanase promoting the ruminal fermentation of agricultural straws. The findings demonstrate that the utilization of RuXyn can significantly enhance the ruminal digestibility of wheat straw by approximately 10 percentage points. This outcome signifies the emergence of a novel and highly efficient enzyme preparation that holds promise for the effective utilization of wheat straw, a by-product of crop production, in ruminants.

NUTRIENT COMPOSITION, IN VITRO GAS AND METHANE PRODUCTION OF Pleurotus SPECIES TREATED CROP RESIDUES FOR THEIR USE IN RUMINANT DIETS

A promising approach for the provision of high-quality supplementary feed for dry season ruminant feeding is the use of fungal-treated crop residues. This current study, therefore, used 3 Pleurotus species (P. ostreatus -PO, P. florida – PF, and P. sajor-caju- PS) to treat 4 crop residues (cowpea chaff - CC, millet chaff - MC, groundnut haulm - GH, and maize stover -MST) over 20 days at room temperature. The treated residues were afterward dried and sub-samples were taken for chemical composition (Dry matter – DM, crude protein – CP, Neutral detergent fibre – NDF, and Acid detergent fibre – ADF) determination and in vitro studies (in vitro gas and methane gas production). The Pleurotus species improved the crop residues nutrient composition through increased CP values and decreased NDF and ADF values but the species varied in their residues preference. PO greatly improved GH and CC; PS greatly improved MC; and PF greatly improved MST. The Pleurotus species improved the in vitro gas production of millet chaff (57 – 107 ml/ g DM – PF; 123 ml/ g DM – PS; and 130 ml/ g DM – PO) only. The highest in vitro gas production in PO-treated MC was complemented with comparable methane gas production (3.28 – 5.19 ml/ g DM) and percentage methane in total gas production (7 – 7%) to intact residue at 72h of incubation. It can be concluded that PO-treated millet chaff can be used as improved supplementary dry season feed for better ruminant production.

Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors of Foreign Body in the Rumen and Reticulum of Small Ruminants Slaughtered at Mogadishu, Somalia

Background The majority of the sheep and goats that live in Somalia are among the continent’s largest animal populations. A significant portion of the Somali population relies on them as a means of sustenance and financial support. A small ruminant after eating foreign materials can have ruminal impaction, a condition in which indigestible foreign bodies accumulate in the rumen of ruminants, leading to ruminal impaction indigestion, recurrent tympany, and many other adverse health effects. Study A cross-sectional method was used to conduct this study. In the data gathering procedure, researchers did a sieve on random selection for the study in order to record the data. The data gathered were specifically tailored to the animal’s sex, age, species, body score, and origin. Foreign bodies were examined in the rumen and reticulum during the post-mortem examination of small ruminants at Kawaanbari slaughterhouse. Objectives The main objective of this study was to examine the prevalence of foreign bodies in the rumen and reticulum of small ruminants and identify associated risk factors in Kawaanbari Slaughterhouse, Mogadishu, Somalia. Results The study’s results showed that of the 384 small ruminants examined for foreign bodies, 154 (40.1%) were found to have foreign bodies in their rumen or reticulum. Seventeen (4.4%) had foreign bodies located in the reticulum, while 137 (35.7%) animals were found to have foreign bodies present in the rumen of the 104 sheep examined; 52 (13.5%) had foreign bodies; and of the 280 goats examined, 102 (26.6%) tested positive for foreign bodies. It was found that the body condition score had a statistically significant association (p<0.05) with the presence of foreign bodies. Conclusion In conclusion, the current study found that approximately 40.1% of various types of undigested objects were present in the rumen and reticulum of sheep and goats from different areas in the Benadir and Shabelle regions, which were destined for slaughter at the Kawaanbari Abattoir on the outskirts of Mogadishu. The majority of these foreign bodies were found in animals that were in poor physical condition. Recommendation The study recommends that pastoralists and farmers ensure a consistent availability of feed for ruminants throughout all seasons as a preventive measure against the ingestion of indigestible foreign bodies.

PENERAPAN TEKNOLOGI PAKAN SILASE RUMPUT GAJAH UNTUK MENDUKUNG MANAJEMEN PAKAN TERNAK PADA MUSIM KEMARAU

The problem experienced by cattle farmers in this community service activity is that it is difficult to provide green fodder for ruminant livestock during the dry season. This community service activity aimed to increase students' knowledge and skills in making silage for ruminant livestock feed. This silage feed technology application program involved lecturers, students, and farmer groups through the methods: 1) pre-test, 2) socialization, 3) training with direct demonstrations, 4) feed application simulation, 5) conducting evaluations, and 6) post-test. The results of this activity showed that all livestock group participants were able to produce high quality silage to support animal feed management. Apart from that, the group also gave a good response in understanding the material provided with an increase in the average score of the post-test given. So it was concluded that the farmer group was able to make silage continuously and independently by choosing quality and easy to obtain materials.

Development and Validation of a Method for Hydrolysis and Analysis of Amino Acids in Ruminant Feeds, Tissue, and Milk Using Isotope Dilution Z-HILIC Coupled with Electrospray Ionization Triple Quadrupole LC-MS/MS.

Current analytical methods for amino acid (AA) analysis in ruminant nutrition are time-consuming and expensive. This study aimed to develop a method for AA analysis that is faster, more efficient, rugged, and accessible. Four representative matrixes were selected for method development and validation: milk, tissue, feed, and soy flour standard reference material from National Institute of Standards and Technology. Acid and alkaline hydrolysis were used to analyze 18 AA. Separation of AA was performed using a Z-HILIC column in an 18-min run coupled to a triple quadrupole LC/MS system in positive and negative electrospray ionization for identification and quantitation. The method was evaluated for recovery, precision, calibration curve linearity, and limits of detection (LODs) and limits of quantitation (LOQs) and applied to other feed samples. Good quantitation results were achieved for all AA, with coefficients of determination (R2) over 0.995; LODs at 0.2-28.2 and LOQs at 0.7-94.1 ng/mL; intraday and interday precision <14.9% relative standard deviation; blank recovery between 75.6 and 116.2%; and sample recovery between 75.6 and 118.0%. Overall, AA concentrations were similar to literature values, and there was a tendency for higher N recovery as AA. In conclusion, an efficient and robust method was validated to routinely analyze AA for appropriate characterization in diet formulation for dairy cattle.

Physico-chemical and Nutritional Composition of Ten Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) Grain Varieties as Potential Feed for Livestock

Sorghum grain (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) is gaining importance amongst livestock producers and animal nutritionists. Newly developed sorghum varieties should be evaluated for their suitability in small ruminant ration. The aim of this research was to determine the physico-chemical characteristics of ten sorghum varieties as potential feed for small ruminants. There were no significant differences (P &amp;gt; 0.05) in DM, CP and CF contents of the ten sorghum varieties. The sorghum black had higher GE, NDF and ADF contents and ATxArg had higher oil and mineral contents. Similarly, sorghum varieties labelled black, red, R17049 and FZ2CND were characterized by high tannins, phenolic and redness contents. Marcia, R17231, RTx436 contained high levels of yellowness and lightness. Fatty acid profile also varies amongst the ten varieties. The results of this study demonstrated that physiochemical and nutritional properties of sorghum varied by varieties.

A Narrative Review on Effects of Napier Grass Oxalate Accumulation on Ruminant Animals

Abstract:: Napier grass is a popular ruminant feed due to its nutritional value and ease of propagation. Besides these promising characteristics, Napier grass poisoning has been reported in livestock, and oxalate has been identified as a primary toxin. Oxalate is an antinutrient content that prevents absorption of minerals from plants while grazing by animals. Less than 2.0% of ruminants' soluble oxalate of dry matter (DM) consumption is safe, while 0.5% is safe for non-ruminants. Oxalate buildup varies with nitrogen sources and dosages. This review discusses the impacts of external and internal elements, including fodder species/variety, fodder portions, seasonal change, nitrogen fertilization, clipping interval, and oxalate concentration on grazing animals and management measures to reduce fodder oxalate. However, further research is needed to understand how oxalate in different species interacts with grazing animals. For developing oxalate-free fodder genotypes, molecular techniques, including identification of CRISPR/Cas9, QTLs, and functional genomics, may be helpful. Genomic methods to improve Napier grass employing precision phenotyping, genotyping, and molecular technology have also been discussed in this article. We have discussed the metabolic pathway, digestion in ruminant animals, factors affecting oxalate content, genetic and molecular diversity, oxalate impact and poisoning, disease to Napier grass and future prospects. This may be helpful for the researchers working on ruminant animals for their feeds and fodder.

Effect of Fermentation Time for a Combination of Rice Straw and Tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) on the NDF, ADF, and Cellulose Content as Ruminant Feeding

This research aims to examine the effect of fermentation time for rice straw and tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) on local microorganisms in the rumen of cows. This research was carried out using a Completely Randomized Design with four treatments and 4 replications. Treatments consisted of P0 (Combination of rice straw and tithonia without local microorganisms), P1 (Combination of rice straw and tithonia with 0 Day Incubation ), P2 (Combination of rice straw and tithonia with 7 Day Incubation ), and P3 (Combination of rice straw and tithonia with 14 Day Incubation. The variables measured are NDF, ADF, and Cellulose. The results of the analysis of variance showed that the effect of fermentation of rice straw and tithonia with local microorganisms in the rumen content had a very significant effect (P&lt;0.01) on NDF, ADF, and Cellulose. Based on this research, it shows that the combination of rice straw and tithonia can increase the content of NDF, ADF, and Cellulose.

The Effect of Fermented Corn Cobs by Adding Different Sources of Carbohydrates on The Content of Dry Matter, Organic Matter, and Crude Protein as Ruminant Feeding

This study aims to determine the effect of the fermentation of corn cobs using the Panarochaeta Chrisosporium white coating fungus with the addition of a different source of carbohydrates to the content of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein. This study used a completely random design. Consists of 4 treatments and four replications in each treatment. The need in this study was a dose of carbohydrate source different from the use of inoculum of white fungus (Panarochaeta chrisosporium) 7%. P0 = corn cob + without carbohydrate, P1 = corn cob + 10%rice bran, P2 = corn cob + tapioca flour 10%, P3 = corn cob + 10%molasses. The parameters measured in this study are the content of dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein. The results showed no different effects (P&gt; 0.05) on the content of dry matter, and the effects were highly significant (p &lt;0.01) on the content of organic material and crude protein content. From the results of the study, it can be concluded that the effect of fermented corn cob is the best on the content of organic material and crude protein with the addition of carbohydrate sources using tapioca flour.

Solid-State Fermentation with White Rot Fungi (Pleurotus Species) Improves the Chemical Composition of Highland Barley Straw as a Ruminant Feed and Enhances In Vitro Rumen Digestibility.

Lignin degradation is important for enhancing the digestibility and improving the nutritive quality of ruminant feeds. White rot fungi are well known for their bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass. The objective of this paper was to evaluate whether Lentinus sajor-caju, Pleurotus ostreatus, Phyllotopsis rhodophylla, Pleurotus djamor, Pleurotus eryngii, and Pleurotus citrinopileatus treatments altered the chemical compositions of highland barley straw constituents and enhanced their nutritional value as a ruminant feed. All white rot fungi significantly increased the relative crude protein (CP), ethyl ether extract (EE), starch, soluble protein (SP), and non-protein nitrogen (NPN) contents but decreased the ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), and acid detergent insoluble protein (ADFIP) contents. In addition, L. sajor-caju treatment increased (p < 0.001) the levels of PA, PB2, PB3, CA, CB1, CB2, and CNSC, but reduced (p < 0.001) the PC and CC in the solid-state fermentation of highland barley straw. Maximum ligninlysis (50.19%) was optimally produced in the presence of 1.53% glucose and 2.29% urea at 22.72 ℃. The in vitro dry matter digestibility and total volatile fatty acid concentrations of fermented highland barley straw, as well as the fermentability, were optimized and improved with L. sajor-caju, which degraded the lignocellulose and improved the nutritional value of highland barley straw as a ruminant feed.

Evaluation of Nutrient and Digestibility of Agricultural Waste Total Mixed Ration Silage as Ruminant Feed

Difficulties in feeding ruminants, which generally use field grass, can be modified by utilizing forage waste from corn, rice and cassava using the total mixed ration (TMR) silage model to obtain feed that is rich in nutrients and long lasting. The study aimed of the study was to determine the nutritional value and digestibility of TMR silage using forage and concentrate waste from corn, rice and cassava. The research design used a completely randomized design with 3 treatments of agricultural waste and 6 replications. The treatment is CWS (corn waste silage); RWS (rice waste silage) and CVWS (cassava waste silage). The parameters tested were crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, NDF, ADF, WSC, RFV, NH3, rumen PH, VFA, In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and In vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). The results showed that CVWS (cassava waste silage) increased crude protein, RFV and reduced NDF, while CWS (corn waste silage) reduced crude fiber and ADF, increased NH3 production, VFA and in vitro digestibility

Discriminant analysis as a tool to classify farm hay in dairy farms.

Hay is one of the primary constituents of ruminant feed, and rapid classification systems of nutritional value are essential. A reliable approach to evaluating hay quality is a combination of visual combined inspection by NIRS analysis. The analysis was carried out on 1,639 samples of hay collected from 2016 to 2021 in northern Italy. Discriminant analysis (DAPC) on five hay types (FOM, forage mixtures; APG, first alfalfa cutting with prevalence of graminaceous >50%; PRA, prevailing alfalfa >50%; PUA, purity alfalfa >95%; and PEM, permanent meadows) was performed by ex-ante visual inspection categorization and NIRS analysis. This study aimed to provide a complementary method to differentiate hay types and classify unknown samples. Two scenarios were used: i) all data were used for model training, and the discriminant functions were extracted based on all samples; ii) the assignment of each group was assessed without samples belonging to the training set group. DAPC model resulted in an overall assignment success rate of 66%; precisely, the success was 84, 79, 69, 37, and 27% for PUA, FOM, PRA, APG, and PEM, respectively. In the second scenario, three groups showed percentages of posterior assignment probability higher than 70% to only one group: PUA with PRA (~ 99%), PRA with PUA (~71%), and PEM with FOM (~75%). Discriminant analysis can be successfully used to differentiate hay types and could also be used to assess factors related to hay quality in addition to NIRS analysis.

Novel techniques for the mass production of nutritionally improved, fungus-treated lignocellulosic biomass for ruminant nutrition.

Laboratory-scale experiments have shown that treatment with selective lignin-degrading white-rot fungi improves the nutritional value and ruminal degradability of lignocellulosic biomass (LCB). However, the lack of effective field-applicable pasteurization methods has long been recognized as a major obstacle for scaling up the technique for fungal treatment of large quantities of LCB for animal feeding. In this study, wheat straw (an LCB substrate) was subjected to four field-applicable pasteurization methods - hot-water, formaldehyde fumigation, steam, and hydrated lime - and cultured with Pleurotus ostreatus grain spawn for 10, 20, and 30 days under solid-state fermentation. Samples of untreated, pasteurized but non-inoculated and fungus-treated straws were analyzed for chemical composition, aflatoxin B1 (AFB1 ), and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro total gas (IVGP), methane (CH4 ), and volatile fatty acid (VFA) production. During the 30-day fungal treatment, steam and lime pasteurized straws had the greatest loss of lignin, resulting in marked improvements in crude protein (CP), IVDMD, IVGP, and total VFAs. Irrespective of the pasteurization method, the increase in IVDMD during fungal treatment was linearly (R2 = 0.77-0.92) related to lignin-loss in the substrate during fungal treatment. The CH4 production of the fungus-treated straw was not affected by the pasteurization methods. Aflatoxin B1 was within the safe level (<5 μg kg-1 ) in all pasteurized, fungus treated straws. Steam and lime were promising field-applicable pasteurization techniques to produce nutritionally improved fungus-treated wheat straw to feed ruminants. Lime pasteurization was more economical and did not require expensive energy inputs. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Assessing the nutritional composition of sweet corn (zea mays l. var. saccharata) stover and kernel corn (zea mays l. var. indentata) stover for ruminant feed

Corn stover, which includes stalks, leaves, and husks left in the field after harvest, holds promise as a feed source for ruminant livestock due to its nutritional value. However, a lack of research on its nutritional composition has led to wasteful practices like open burning and disposal. Therefore, this study aims to determine and compare the nutritional value of corn stover between sweet and kernel corn. The samples of corn stover were collected at Universiti Sultan Zainal Abidin Farm. All samples were subjected to the cleaning, chopping, drying, and grinding processes before undergoing nutritional analysis using proximate analysis. The proximate analysis was measured based on the percentage of crude protein, ash, crude fibre, moisture, and fat. The results indicate that sweet corn stover exhibits the highest nutritional value (p&lt; 0.05) in terms of ash, crude protein, and fat, with percentages of 5.44%, 19.04%, and 3.86%, respectively, particularly in its leaves. Additionally, the stalks of sweet corn stover contain the highest percentages of moisture (4.89%) and crude fiber (27.05%). This study found that sweet corn stover is more suitable for ruminant feed because it contains the highest levels of essential nutrients like crude protein, fat, and ash.