Husk Meal Research Articles

Cocoa Pod Husk Meal as a Feed Ingredient for Livestock

ABSTRACTCocoa pod husk (CPH) is a by‐product of cocoa. Whilst this by‐product is converted into animal feed in some countries, it is largely left to decompose and cause environmental issues in most South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu. The husk represent 70%–80% of the whole fruit. Its use as animal feed is limited by the presence of antinutritional factors, of which, theobromine is the most prominent. Other antinutritional factors include tannin and phytate. Feeding value of the CPH is improved by reducing these antinutritional factors through broiling, alkaline, and microbial treatment. Exogenous feed enzymes are used to hydrolyze crude fiber. Up to 10% of this by‐product is included in broiler feed and 15% with supplementation of exogenous feed enzymes in layer feed. In pigs, up to 20% can be included into diets of both the sow and growing pig. In ruminants, up to 35% can be used in cattle diet if treated with urea, molasses and/or fermented. The by‐product is widely used as an ingredient and/or energy/protein sources in Africa and Asia. There is scanty literature on its use in the South Pacific countries. In this review, I compiled existing literature on its chemical composition, use in livestock and poultry diets, and existing strategies to improve feeding value. The aim of this review is to project cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) as a potential feed ingredient as well as energy/protein sources for livestock and poultry in the South Pacific countries, including Vanuatu.

Bamboo fiber improves piglet growth performance by regulating the microbial composition of lactating sows and their offspring piglets.

Feeding bamboo powder is a kind of fiber raw material mainly composed of insoluble dietary fiber (IDF). In this study, IDF-based rice husk meal and feeding bamboo powder were used to compare the effects of bamboo fiber on fecal microflora and the performance of lactating sows and their offspring piglets. Thirty healthy crossbred gilts (Yorkshire × Landrace) at day 105 of gestation were randomly allocated into three groups: CON, TRE1 supplemented with 2% BBF1 (feeding bamboo powder), and TRE2 supplemented with 2% BBF2 (99% feeding bamboo powder +1% bamboo fiber polymer material). The reproductive performance, serum indexes, and fecal microbiota of sows and piglets were analyzed. The results showed that, compared with CON, the average feed intake of sows in TRE1 during the second week of lactation was significantly increased by 21.96% (p < 0.05), the average daily gain (ADG) per litter in TRE1 on 11-21 days and 3-21 days of lactation was significantly increased by 50.68 and 31.61%, respectively (p < 0.05), and the serum triglyceride content of sows in TRE1 on the 21st day of lactation was significantly increased (p < 0.05). The 16S rRNA analysis showed that dietary bamboo fiber significantly increased the fecal microbial richness index Ace, Chao, and Sobs of sows (p < 0.05) and tended to increase the Sobs index of suckling piglets on day 21 (p < 0.10). Compared with CON, BBF1 supplementation significantly decreased the abundance of Christensenellaceae_R-7_group in feces of sows on days 7 and 21 after delivery (p < 0.05), while BBF2 decreased the genera Christensenellaceae_R-7_group on days 7 (p < 0.10) and 21 (p < 0.05) after delivery. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the abundance of Phascolarctobacterium in the feces of piglets on the 21st day after delivery was significantly positively correlated with diarrhea rate and significantly negatively correlated with ADG per litter, day 21 litter weight, and 3- to 21-day survival rate. In contrast, Christensenellaceae_R-7_group was significantly negatively correlated with diarrhea rate and positively correlated with ADG per litter. These results indicated that maternal BBF1 supplementation improved the litter weight gain of suckling piglets, which was associated with the improvement of diversity and structure of the fecal microbiota in the piglets.

Effects of chitosan and rice husk powder on thermal hydrolysis-anaerobic digested sludge conditioning: Dewaterability and biogas slurry fertility

To enhance the dewaterability of anaerobic digested sludge and to make full use of the biogas slurry. This study set up five sludge conditioning methods: polymeric ferric sulfate, polymeric aluminum chloride, cationic polyacrylamide, chitosan, and chitosan combined with rice husk powder. Their effects on the dewaterability of thermal hydrolysis-anaerobic digested sludge, bacterial community, and biogas slurry fertility were studied to find a non-toxic and non-risk dewatering technology for the environment and biogas slurry. Compared with that of the control group, moisture content, normalization capillary suction time, and specific resistance to filtration were reduced by 12.8%, 97.7%, and 82.9%, respectively. Chitosan enlarges the sludge flocs and forms complexes with proteins, disrupting the structure of the extracellular polymeric substances, thereby exposing more hydrophobic groups and reducing the hydrophilicity of the sludge. The subsequent addition of rice husk powder enhances the adsorption of hydrophilic substances and provides a stronger drainage channel for the sludge. In addition, the biogas slurry obtained by this conditioning method used as a fertilizer increased the dry weight and fresh weight of corn seedlings by 59.3% and 91.0%, respectively. And the total chlorophyll content increased by 84.6%. Pearson's correlation analysis showed that chitosan and rice husk meal had no toxic effect on the biogas slurry compared to the other three flocculants. The results showed that the combined treatment of chitosan and rice husk powder resulted in the best dewaterability. Overall, chitosan combined with rice husk powder is a green dewatering technology with great potential for anaerobic digested sludge dewatering and biogas slurry recycling.

Effect of unconventional feeds on production cost, growth performance and expression of quantitative genes in growing pigs

This study examined the effects of unconventional feed on performance characteristics and candi-date gene expression in growing pigs of 3-5months of age. A Total of forty-five (45) growing pigs were randomly allotted into five treatments consisting of whole maize (T1), brewer’s dried grain (T2), cassava peel meal (T3), plantain peel meal (T4), and corn husk meal (T5), at 35% inclusion rate. Per-formance data were collected for 12weeks, while duodenum and liver samples were collected after the experiment for gene expression analysis. Data were analyzed in a completely randomized design. Diets significantly (p&lt; 0.05) affected growth performance with treatment 2 recording the highest average daily weight gain of 0.21±0.02 whilecorn husk meal (T5)had the least 0.11±0.01. Feed efficiency was highest for whole maize (T1) and brewer’s dried grain (T2) (0.10±0.02) and lowest for t5 (0.07±0.17). Cost-benefit analysis were significantly different (p&lt;0.05) with t4 recording the highest gross margin. Insulin-like growth factor1 and leptin gene were differentially expressed in tissues, while no significant differences (p&gt;0.05) existed for growth hormone gene and ryanodine receptor1 gene. The results showed commendable gross margin, however, cognizance should be taken in the quantity of brewer’s dried grain fed to pigs since it increased the expression of ryanodine receptor 1 gene that leads to por-cine malignant hypertermia and pale soft exudates pork.

Fermentation profile, aerobic stability, chemical and mineral composition of silages of mango combined with cocoa pod husk meal

The objective was to evaluate the fermentation profile, aerobic stability, chemical composition, and mineral content of silages of mango combined with cocoa pod husk meal. A completely randomized design was adopted, including four levels (65, 70, 75, and 80%) and five repetitions, totaling 20 experimental silos that were opened after 90 days of sealing. Increasing mango levels in the silages increased the dry matter recovery, total carbohydrates, and fraction B2 of carbohydrates, and reduced gas losses, dry matter, and mineral matter. The quadratic effect was found for pH, buffering capacity, potassium, boron, iron, and nitrogen fractions A and B1 + B2. Using unconventional products such as mango combined with cocoa pod husk meal for silage making can reduce the cost of food supplementation for ruminants, and the environmental contamination.

Effect of dietary supplemented cocoa pod husk meal on the reproductive performance of rabbits

This study determined the dietary effect of cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) on the reproductive performance of rabbits. Twelve iso-nitrogenous (16.05% CP) and iso–caloric (2500.12 Kcal kg-1 ME) diets were formulated. The CPHM was included at 0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5% levels for T1, T2, T3, and T4 raw; T5, T6, T7, T8 fermented and T9, T10, T11, T12 hot–water treated CPHM. Sixty weaned rabbits between 5 and 6 weeks old of both sexes (30 males and 30 females) with mean initial body weight of 606.42±1.30g were used. The rabbits were randomly distributed using a completely randomized design (CRD). The animals were crossed at maturity for reproductive performance evaluation. Total protein concentrations of reproductive parts were determined. Result showed no significant dietary effect on reproductive performance. The 37.5% level recorded zero pregnancy in the raw and hot–water groups. Average gestation period ranged between 30 and 31 days. Average litter size at birth ranged 1 – 4 kittens. Average weaning weight ranged between 475 and 580.25g with the least weight in the raw group. Milk yield ranged between 205.46 and 262.94g. The sperm volume and gonadal sperm reserve recorded significant effect (P&lt;0.05). In the raw and hot–water groups, the sperm volume decreased marginally. The protein concentration in the testes recorded higher significant (P&lt;0.05) values in the control diet and the least value in raw group. The study concluded that fermented CPHM diets performed best at 37.5% level in terms of reproductive performance of rabbits. Keywords: Cocoa, Gonadal sperm reserve, Kindling, Milking, Sperm volume.

Utilization of Processed Kola Nut Husk Meal in Poultry Production: Effects on The Performance, Carcass, Biochemical Indicators, and Antioxidant Enzymes of Broiler Chickens

This study looked at the effects of processed kola nut husks meal (PKHM) utilization as a feed ingredient on broiler chicken in a 42-day feeding trial. Kola nut pod husks were processed into a PKHM using ash treatment and rumen liquor fermentation. Three experimental diets were developed at both the starter and finisher phases, with PKHM included at 0, 4, and 8%, and dubbed diets 1, 2, and 3, respectively. In a fully randomized design, 240 Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned to three treatments (10 birds per replicate). Except for the significantly improved (P < 0.05) feed conversion ratio of broiler chickens fed diets 2 and 3 at the grower phase (22–42 days) and overall (0–42 days), the performance indices were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by PKHM dietary inclusion. Broiler chicken carcass characteristics and relative internal organ weights remained constant (P > 0.05) through diets. The serum glutathione concentration in broiler chickens fed an 8 percent PKHM inclusive diet increased significantly (P < 0.05) than those on the control diet and 4 percent PKHM inclusive diet. When broiler chickens fed an 8 percent PKHM inclusive diet were compared to those fed a control diet, the serum catalase concentration was significantly higher (P < 0.05). The total serum protein, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate transferase, and cholesterol levels remained constant (P > 0.05) regardless of dietary treatment. Dietary PKHM inclusion of up to 8% enhanced improved feed efficiency and increased antioxidant enzyme concentration and did not affect the serum biochemical indices concentration.Graphical Abstract

Temperature – Humidity Index (THI) of Rabbits in a Tropical Environment as Influenced by Dietary Cocoa Pod Husk Meal

The temperature – humidity index (THI) of cross bred rabbits fed differently processed forms of cocoa pod husk meal based – diets was evaluated using sixty animals (24 bucks and 36 does with mean body weight of 606.42±1.30g). Twelve experimental diets were formulated containing raw, fermented and hot – water treated cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) at 0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 percent levels each. The rabbits were subjected to nine weeks feeding trial in a completely randomized design during which records of daily ambient temperature and relative humidity were taken using digital thermometer (LCD Digital Thermo - Hygrometer, model MT - 3 with sensor for indoor/outdoor temperatures and relative humidity display at the same time) throughout the study period. The rectal temperature of each rabbit was taken twice at 3 – 4 days interval on a weekly basis with the aid of a clinical thermometer (Ocean med+ England model). The thermometer was inserted into the rectum of the rabbits to a certain depth and reading was taken after 50 – 55 seconds when the mercury level stopped rising. The THI was calculated using appropriate formula. Results showed that the average rectal temperature was between 38.30° and 38.63 ℃ while the mean indoor and outdoor temperatures were 29.27 ± 0.04° and 28.72±0.18℃ respectively and relative humidity of the rabbitry was 39.30±0.51% with the THI at 26.44; which was less than the critical value of 27.80, implying absence of heat stress. The study concluded that feeding raw, fermented and hot – water treated cocoa pod husk meal based-diets up 37.5 % to rabbits will not imposed additional heat load (heat stress) on the animals in the tropics and therefore establishes the THI of rabbits in a typical tropical environment as 26.44. Farmers are strongly advised to adopt this agro – industrial by –product in diets meant for rabbits in the tropics.

Corn Husk Phenolics Modulate Hepatic Antioxidant Response in Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Exposed to Hypoxia.

The hypoxia conditions in intensive farming systems generate oxidative stress related to oxidative damage and mortality of fish. Corn husk meal (CHM), as a source of antioxidants, might modulate the antioxidant response and prevent the damage elicited by hypoxia. This study evaluated CHM’s ability to modulate a hepatic response in Nile tilapia exposed to hypoxia. A control and a test diet supplemented with 25 g CHM/kg feed were formulated. Ninety Nile tilapias (5.09 ± 0.55 g initial weight) were fed for 36 days to evaluate growth, feed efficiency, and hepatic antioxidant response (CAT, catalase; SOD, superoxide dismutase, and GPx, glutathione peroxidase) in normal oxygen conditions (normoxia). After the feeding trial (36 days), fish were exposed to hypoxia (1.5 ± 0.2 mg/L dissolved oxygen), and the hepatic antioxidant response was determined. There was no significant effect of CHM on growth and feed efficiency. The CAT activity was significantly increased in tilapias exposed to hypoxia and fed the test diet compared to the control group exposed to hypoxia. The SOD and GPx activities were unchanged in tilapias in normoxia and hypoxia conditions. Results suggest that CHM dietary supplementation promotes the antioxidant response in Nile tilapia exposed to hypoxia through CAT modulation.

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

Effect of rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal supplemented with enzyme on growth performance, heamato-biochemical indices and sexual maturity of pullet chicken

EFFECT OF DIFFERENT ENERGY LEVELS OF COCOA HUSK-BASED DIETS ON PRODUCTIVE PERFORMANCE OF JAPANESE QUAILS

Cocoa husk-based diets were used to assess the effect of different energy levels on the growth performance, economics of production and dressing percentage of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) in South Western Nigeria. The assessment period was at 4 to 7 weeks of age. Four isonitrogenous (22% crude protein) diets incorporating graded levels (0, 3, 5, 7.0 and 14%) of cocoa husk meal (CHM) as replacement for maize, were used in the trial which involved 360, 3-week-old quail chicks. The diets had the followjng corresponding ME levels, viz: Diet 1, 2800; Diet 2, 2700; Diet 3, 2600 and Diet 4, 2500 kcal/kg. Each dietary treatment was similar (P &gt; 0.05) among the diets while feed intake was higher (P &lt; 0.05) on Diet 4 than Diets 1 and 2. Caloric intake, feed conversion and calorific efficiency did not differ significantly (P &gt; 0.05) among the treatments. Though feed cost and feed price/100 kcal ME decreased numerically across treatment, feed cost/kg gain was similar (P &gt; 0.05). Dressing percentage was not influenced (P &gt; 0.05) by dietary energy levels. Results of this study indicated that dietary energy levels of 2500 to 2800kcal/kg ME of cocoa husk-based diets are suitable for overall acceptable productive performance of Japanese quails during 4 – 7 weeks of age in South Western Nigeria.

Effect of biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk meal on growth, serum and antioxidant properties of two rabbit breeds

BackgroundThe study evaluated the growth performance, haemabiochemical and antioxidant profile of two breeds of rabbits fed diets containing varying levels of Rhizopus stolonifer fermented cocoa pod husk meal (FCPHM). Cocoa pod husk meal was taken through solid-state fermentation for a period of 2 weeks using Rhizopus stolonifer as its starter culture. One hundred and eighty, 5-week-old unsexed weaned rabbits 90 New Zealand white (NZW) and 90 Chinchilla (CHL) were randomly allocated into three dietary treatments, Diets I, II and III (0%, 12.5 and 25%FCPHM, respectively), and were arranged in a 2 × 3 factorial design (2 breeds and 3 diets) of a randomized block design.ResultsThe study showed that the breed effect and dietary treatment were significant (p < 0.01) for total weight gain and feed conversion ratio with NZW breed fed 12.5% FCPHM having higher values than CHL breed. Serum total protein concentration was significantly (p < 0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment, while alanine aminotransferase, globulin and total protein concentrations were significantly (p < 0.01) affected by the breed effect. The interactive effect of breed and dietary treatment was only significant (p < 0.05) for serum albumin concentration. Malondialdehyde concentration was significantly influenced by both dietary treatments (p < 0.05) and breed (p < 0.001) factors.ConclusionIt was observed that CHL rabbits were more predisposed to stress than the NZW rabbits as indicated by the lipid peroxidation values, and according to this present finding, 12.5% FCPHM is recommended as active feed ingredient in rabbit diets.

PERFORMANCE AND EGG QUALITY OF HENS FED COCOA HUSK BASED DIETS

Lowman Brown hens, 37 – week – old were used to study the effect of dietary inclusion of 10 and 20% cocoa husk meal (CHM) at the expense of maize on hen performance and egg quality. The trial was conducted for 10 weeks. Egg production (EP), egg weight (EW), egg mass (EM), feed consumption (FC), and feed efficiency (FC) were cost/kg egg, shell weight, percentage shell and yolk colour index. Inclusion of 10 and 20% CHM in laying hen diets had no significant effect (P &lt;0.05) on EP, EM and FE. However, FC was high appeared to be compensated for by increased egg weight. Shell weight and percent shell were not affected by dietary treatment while the 20% CHM diet increased yolk colour index. Feed cost/kg egg was lowered by feeding the test diets. The present study has shown that laying hens can tolerate and produce eggs economically on diets incorporating up to 20% CHM.

Use of Corn Husk Meal in the Development of a Functional Diet for Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) Fingerlings: Effect on Growth Performance, Antioxidant Status and Intestinal Microbiota

The effect of dietary supplementation of corn husk meal (CHM) on growth performance, liver antioxidant status and intestinal microbiota in Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) fingerlings was evaluated. Four experimental groups of fish with initial weight 0.47 ± 0.7 g in triplicate tanks were used; three of them were fed CHM incorporated diets (12.5 g/kg, DH12; 25 g/kg, DH25; and 50 g/kg, DH50), whereas a CHM-free basal diet served as control (DH0). No significant differences were observed in growth performance or feed efficiency in fish fed experimental diets (P > 0.05); however, fish fed the DH50 diet had a significant higher proportion of crude protein of whole-body composition (P < 0.05). Analysis of antioxidant enzyme activity showed significant differences (P < 0.05) with higher superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in fish fed the DH25 diet, and lower glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity in fish fed the DH12 diet. No significant differences were found in catalase (CAT) activity between treatments. Fusobacteria, Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria were the most abundant phyla in all feces samples but no significant differences were found in microbial diversity among diets. Results suggest that CHM is safe for Nile tilapia consumption improving crude protein of whole-body composition and enhancing SOD activity.

Effects of graded levels of kolanut husk on the performance of cockerels

Eighty black Nera cockerel chicks were randomly alloted to four dietarey treatmants containing 0, 10, 20 and 30% kolanut husk meal (KHM) for twelve weeks. Significant differences (P&lt;0.05) in feed intake, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were observed. Dietary inclusion of KHM depressed (P&lt;0.05) growth rate feed conversion ratio and nutrition uilization of cockerels birds. There were linear reduction (P&gt;0.05) in nitrogen retention and apparent crude fibre digestibility (ACFD) of cockerels birds at each incremental KHM dietary levels. This indicated that KHM could be effeciently utilized by cockerels up to 205 dietary level above which the depression in growth rate occurs.

Carcass yield and gastro - intestinal tract morphometry of rabbits exposed to dietary cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) pod husk meal

In this study, the effect of different forms of dietary cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) on the carcass yield and gastro-intestinal tract (GIT) morphometry of growing rabbits was investigated. A total of 60 rabbits with mean body weight of 606.42±1.3g were utilized across 12 experimental iso – caloric (2,592.04 Kcal/kg ME) and iso - nitrogenous (16.52% CP) diets containing sundried (T, T, T, T); fermented (T, T, T, T) and hot – water treated (T, 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 T , T , T ) cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM) included at 0, 12.5, 25 and 37.5 percent levels, 10 11 12 respectively. The rabbits were subjected to 12 weeks feeding trial in a completely randomized design (CRD) experiment. The rabbits were slaughtered at the end of the feeding trial and the carcass yield and GIT morphometry were determined. The results showed that the average live weight was between 1616.67 ± 44.10 and 2483.33 ± 16.67 g/rabbit, while the dressed weight was between 966.67 ± 18.12 and 1500 ±28.87 g/rabbit with significant (P &lt; 0.05) differences between treatments. The least values were recorded in rabbits fed the 37.5% level of CPHM inclusion. All primal cuts revealed no significant differences between dietary treatments. The GIT morphometry (relative weight and length of segments) recorded no significant effect that could be ascribed to diets. The study concluded that including sundried, fermented or hot – water treated CPHM up to 37.5% level will reduce the live weight, dressed weight and dressing percent of rabbits while GIT morphometry may be relatively unaffected. Hence, a lower level up to 25% fermented CPHM and levels &lt;25% are recommended for sundried CPHM and hot- water treated CPHM are recommended for growing rabbits.

Biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk: Effect on growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens

&#x0D; A 49 day feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of biologically upgraded cocoa pod husk meal (BCPHM) on the growth performance, haemato-biochemical indices and antioxidant status of broiler chickens. Three experimental diets were formulated at both starter and finisher phases in which BCPHM was added as an active feed ingredient at 0, 10, 20% and designated as diets 1, 2 and 3 respectively. One hundred and fifty day old Marshal broiler chicks weighing 39±2.5g/bird were allotted to 3 dietary treatments (10birds/replicate, 50birds/treatment) in a completely randomized design. The Average daily weight gain (ADWG), total weight gain (TWG) and final body weight (FBW) of broiler chicks fed diets containing 10% BCPHM was significantly (p˂0.05) higher than that of control and diet containing 20% BCPHM at starter phase. At finisher phase, the values of ADWG, TWG and FBW were at par with that of control. Feed Intake was seen to increase as BCPHM increased in the diet at finisher phase. Carcass traits, relative internal organ weight, haemato-biochemcal indices of broiler chickens were similar across dietary treatment. Superoxide dimutase (SOD) and Catalase (CAT) of birds fed control diet were significantly (p˂0.05) higher than those of birds fed BCPHM based diets. Ten percent dietary inclusion of BCPHM appears optimal in broiler diet since beyond this level growth performance declined.&#x0D;

Replacing Dietary Maize with Kolanut Husk Meal can Influence Growth Performance and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility of Rabbits

Replacing Dietary Maize with Kolanut Husk Meal can Influence Growth Performance and Apparent Nutrient Digestibility of Rabbits

434 Late-Breaking: Expression of Growth hormone Gene (GH) and Insulin-like growth factor (IGF-2) in metabolic tissues of pigs are affected by unconventional dietary feed sources

Abstract This study was conducted to examine the growth performance and expression patterns of growth hormone gene and insulin-like growth factor in metabolic tissues of pigs fed different unconventional feed sources. A total of 45 growing pigs were randomly assigned to 5 dietary treatments at 9 animals per treatment and 3 animals per replicate. Treatment one (T1) comprise of whole maize (WM) which served as the control, T2: brewers dried grain (BDG), T3: cassava peel meal (CPM), T4: plantain peel meal (PPM) and T5: corn husk meal (CHM) at 35% inclusion in the diet. Data collected and analyzed includes; initial body weight (IBW), final body weight (FBW), average daily feed intake (ADFI), average daily weight gain (ADG), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and feed efficiency (FE). At the end of the feeding trial, three animals per treatment (one animal per replicate) were slaughtered; the duodenum and liver were collected and stored using RNALater prior to RNA extraction. Real-time qPCR was performed in 40cycles using the PowerUp SYBR Green reagent and analysed using the Delta-Delta Ct method. All data were subjected to analysis of variance in a completely randomized design. The results showed that the treatment diets had effect on growth performance with significant differences (P &amp;lt; 0.05) observed for average final weight, average total weight gain, average daily feed intake, feed conversion ratio and feed efficiency while the initial weight were not significantly different (P &amp;gt; 0.05). IGF-2 was differentially expressed in the liver and duodenum across treatments while significant differences were not observed in the expression pattern of the growth hormone gene in both tissues. This study showed promise for the use of unconventional feeding stuffs in pig feeding and reveals that genes influencing performance characters are differentially expressed in relation to the source of unconventional feeds used in compounding pig diet.

English

This study evaluated the effect of fermentation period on the proximate composition, anti-nutritional content, fibre fractions and amino acid profile of cocoa pod husk meal (CPHM). Cocoa pod husk was taken through a solid state fermentation process involving Rhizopus stolonifer as its starter culture for a period of two weeks. The fermented CPHM was dried and analyzed for its proximate composition, anti-nutritional factors, fibre fractions and amino acid profile. The results of the study revealed that the crude protein content of CPHM significantly (P &le; 0.05) improved during fermentation by 48.59%, while crude fibre and crude lipid decreased significantly (P &le; 0.05) by 14 and 22%, respectively after 2 weeks of fermentation. The theobromine, tannin and phytate of the fermented samples decreased by 77.3, 94 and 27% after 14 days fermentation, respectively. Also, the neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), acid detergent lignin (ADL), hemicellulose (HEMM) and cellulose (CELL) decreased progressively as the days of fermentation increased and total esssential amino acid (TEAA) of the fermented CPH meal increased significantly (P &le; 0.05) as days of fermentation increased showing that Rhizopus stolonifer may both enhance CPHM protein quantity and improve its quality. It could be concluded that fermentation with R. stolonifer for 14 days could improve the nutritive value of CPH and thus increase its inclusion in the formulation of diets for animals. &nbsp; Key words: Cocoa pod husk meal, fermentation, Rhizopus stolonifer, nutritive, anti-nutritive composition.