Palm Kernel Cake Research Articles

Solid-state fermentation and formulation of non-sterile palm oil processing waste using Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539

This study reported the ability of Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 to utilize non-sterile slurry and palm kernel cake (PKC) through solid-state fermentation, preparation of the fungus and non-sterile waste mixture as a formula for animal feed, and analysis of nutrient content of the formula. Fungal culture in PSB at 30 and 40 °C for 5 days was prepared and wet weight biomass was used as inoculum for animal feed formula. Solid-state fermentation (SSF) was carried out on the mixtures of non-sterile slurry and PKC (3:1) at 30 and 40 °C for 5 days and the fermented waste mixtures were dried at 60°C for 5 days. The results showed that during SSF there were presence of colonies of other fungi and bacteria from the waste mixture besides R. azygosporus. The total cell number of R. azygosporus and other fungi were decreased after SSF. Changes in nutrient content in the formula were observed by comparing the treatment and control. Formula prepared at 40 °C showed an increase of carbohydrate content and total calorie, while formula prepared at 30 °C showed an increase only at carbohydrate content. A decrease of protein, water content, ash content, total fat, and energy from fat, was observed in formulas prepared at both temperatures.

Effect of Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 growth on the nutrient content of sterile slurry and palm kernel cake mixtures at different temperature

This study reported the effect of Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 growth on the sterile slurry and palm kernel cake (PKC), and analysis of the nutrient content of the waste mixtures. The fungus showed good growth on Potato Sucrose Agar (PSA) at temperature range of 30 to 50 °C, and could not grow at 55 °C. Inoculum was prepared from fungal culture in Potato Sucrose Broth (PSB) by still fermentation at 30 and 40 °C for 5 days. Sterile slurry and PKC (3:1) in Petri dishes (diameter 9 cm) were prepared and solid-state fermentation was carried out using inoculum (10 %, v/v) at 30 and 40 °C, and incubated for 5 days. Rhizopus azygosporus UICC 539 showed good growth and increased cell numbers on sterile waste mixtures. Effect of fungal growth on the nutrient content of the waste mixtures was observed by comparing the treatment and control. There was an increase in the moisture and ash content, and a decrease in protein content, total calorie and carbohydrate content. There was no change of the calorie from fat and total fat content compared to the control.

Oligosaccharides from Palm Kernel Cake Enhances Adherence Inhibition and Intracellular Clearance of Salmonella enterica Serovar Enteritidis In Vitro.

Salmonella enterica serovar (ser.) Enteritidis (S. Enteritidis) is a foodborne pathogen often associated with contaminated poultry products. This study evaluated the anti-adherence and intracellular clearance capability of oligosaccharides extracted from palm kernel cake (PKC), a by-product of the palm oil industry, and compared its efficacy with commercial prebiotics— fructooligosaccharide (FOS) and mannanoligosaccharide (MOS)—against S. Enteritidis in vitro. Based on the degree of polymerization (DP), PKC oligosaccharides were further divided into ‘Small’ (DP ≤ 6) and ‘Big’ (DP > 6) fractions. Results showed that the Small and Big PKC fractions were able to reduce (p < 0.05) S. Enteritidis adherence to Cancer coli-2 (Caco-2) cells at 0.1 mg/ mL while MOS and FOS showed significant reduction at 1.0 mg/mL and 10.0 mg/mL, respectively. In terms of S. Enteritidis clearance, oligosaccharide-treated macrophages showed better S. Enteritidis clearance over time at 50 µg/mL for Small, Big and MOS, while FOS required a concentration of 500 µg/mL for a similar effect. This data highlights that oligosaccharides from PKC, particularly those of lower DP, were more effective than MOS and FOS at reducing S. Enteritidis adherence and enhancing S. Enteritidis clearance in a cell culture model.

Efficient and Simultaneous Chitosan-Mediated Removal of 11 Mycotoxins from Palm Kernel Cake.

Mycotoxins are an important class of pollutants that are toxic and hazardous to animal and human health. Consequently, various methods have been explored to abate their effects, among which adsorbent has found prominent application. Liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) has recently been applied for the concurrent evaluation of multiple mycotoxins. This study investigated the optimization of the simultaneous removal of mycotoxins in palm kernel cake (PKC) using chitosan. The removal of 11 mycotoxins such as aflatoxins (AFB1, AFB2, AFG1 and AFG2), ochratoxin A (OTA), zearalenone (ZEA), fumonisins (FB1 and FB2) and trichothecenes (deoxynivalenol (DON), HT-2 and T-2 toxin) from palm kernel cake (PKC) was studied. The effects of operating parameters such as pH (3–6), temperature (30–50 °C) and time (4–8 h) on the removal of the mycotoxins were investigated using response surface methodology (RSM). Response surface models obtained with R2 values ranging from 0.89–0.98 fitted well with the experimental data, except for the trichothecenes. The optimum point was obtained at pH 4, 8 h and 35 °C. The maximum removal achieved with chitosan for AFB1, AFB2, AFG1, AFG2, OTA, ZEA, FB1 and FB2 under the optimized conditions were 94.35, 45.90, 82.11, 84.29, 90.03, 51.30, 90.53 and 90.18%, respectively.

Characteristics of mannanase enzyme in actinomycetes isolated from Taman Nasional Bukit Duabelas Jambi

Indonesia has about 14.03 million hectars of palm oil plantation. Palm kernel cake (PKC) is a byproduct of palm oil processing majority consist of β-mannan. Mannan is a component of hemicellulose which have an economic value. Mannan can be converted to the manooligosaccharides (MOS) using bacterial enzyme. This study aimed to produce MOS from PKC using actinomycetes from Taman Nasional Bukit Duabelas Jambi. The selection was begun with the production of the clear zone on medium containing PKC then enzyme activity was measured. Isolate HJ4-5B had the highest mannanolytic index up to 0.4. The enzyme activity of isolate HJ4-5B increased significantly up to 0.895 U/mL at 7th day of culture incubation. The highest mannanase activity of isolate HJ4-5B occurs at pH 6 and 70 °C with an incubation time of 7th day which reached 1.186 U/mL.

Characteristics and bioactive properties of mannooligosaccharides derived from agro-waste mannans

Mannooligosaccharides (MOS) were derived using Aspergillus oryzae β-mannanase (ManAo) from different mannan-rich agro-wastes, palm kernel cake (PKC), guar gum and copra meal (CM). Guar gum (GG) released higher amount of MOS (56.31% w/w) from which purification of mannobiose (0.68 mg) and mannotriose (1.26 mg) was demonstrated using size-exclusion chromatography. FTIR analysis of mannan hydrolysates showed characteristic peaks in 1200–900 cm−1 region indicating the presence of MOS. 1H &13C NMR spectra showed presence of anomeric sugar forms of MOS in different mannan hydrolysates. MOS from locust bean gum and guar gum had both α- and β-anomers while PKC and CM had only α-anomer. Growth promotional activities of different MOS were demonstrated using two probiotic Lactobacilli. Besides, enzymatically derived MOS also showed metal (Fe2+) chelating and anti-oxidant activities, wherein best anti-glycating agent was evaluated as MOS from PKC. PKC derived MOS showed highest cytotoxicity (74.19%) against human colon adenocarcinoma cell line (Caco-2). This study demonstrated the prebiotic potential of agro-waste derived MOS and possibility of their utilization as a functional food ingredient.

Passage time, apparent metabolisable energy and ileal amino acids digestibility of treated palm kernel cake in broilers under the hot and humid tropical climate

Four different palm kernel cake (PKC) including untreated PKC, enzyme fermented PKC (EPKC), extruded PKC (XPKC) and lactic acid bacteria fermented PKC (LPKC) were compared for their passage (ROP), apparent metabolisable energy (AME) and apparent ileal amino acid (AA) digestibility in broilers under the hot and humid tropical climate. The various PKC diets were formulated by replacing 25% of the basal diet with PKC, EPKC, XPKC or LPKC. The AME of various PKC were enumerated by the difference between the AME of basal and PKC diets. The same diets were used to analyse the feed passage time, where the time required excreting the indigestible index (titanium dioxide) was measured. Ileal AA digestibility was determined using PKC, EPKC, XPKC and LPKC as the sole source of AA in the diet. The inclusion of 25% treated PKC in the diet did not improve the ROP of digesta regardless of treatment applied. The AME values of EPKC, XPKC and LPKC, were significantly increased by 39.2, 44.9 and 43.1%, respectively, compared to untreated PKC. In comparison with the untreated PKC, the ileal crude protein (CP) digestibility of LPKC and EPKC were significantly increased by 30.5% and 20.3%, respectively, while no difference was observed for XPKC. The average ileal AA digestibility of LPKC was significantly higher by 22.8% compared to the untreated PKC. In conclusion, bacterial fermentation, enzymatic fermentation and thermal extrusion improved the AME of PKC the hot and humid tropical climate, while only bacterial fermentation resulted in significant improvements in the CP and AA digestibility. Highlights Nutrients availability of PKC can be improved by fermentation. Passage time of digesta may not change by 25% inclusion of treated PKC.

Evaluation of Palm Kernel Cake Powder (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as Corrosion Inhibitor for Carbon Steel in Acidic Media

This work aims to investigate the possible use of the palm kernel cake powder (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as corrosion inhibitor for ASTM 1020 carbon steel in acidic media (0.5 mol L−1 HCl). The investigation was carried out using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS), polarization curves, gravimetric technique and scanning vibrating electrode technique (SVET). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed as chemical and surface characterization techniques, respectively. The results of the EIS and gravimetric tests showed that the substance acts as an effective corrosion inhibitor and inhibition efficiency (IE) increases according with the increase of the corrosion inhibitor concentration in the aggressive medium. The highest IE of 87% was obtained for the highest corrosion inhibitor concentration used (1.77 g/L). The polarization curves revealed a mixed inhibitor. The adsorption of the studied inhibitor on carbon steel surface obeyed Langmuir isotherm. The SVET measurements did not reveal anodic or cathodic activities in the substrate surface in the presence of the inhibitor, revealing that the corrosion inhibitor was able to block both reactions. FTIR analyses identified in the powder the presence of hydroxyl group, aromatic rings, nitrogen and oxygen in such groups as amines and oleaginous acid, which can be responsible for the inhibitory properties of the whole material. SEM analyses showed that the corrosion process was retarded when the inhibitor was added to electrolyte. The results indicate that the powder of palm kernel cake is promising for use as corrosion inhibition purpose for carbon steel in acidic media.

Palm Kernel De-Oiled Cake: A Potential Source of Cellulose for the Production of Carboxylmethyl Cellulose for Industrial Uses

The problem of over dependence on foreign raw materials such as Carboxylmethyl cellulose for Nigerian industries has been a big threat to the country’s economy. In order to curtail the menace, this work aims at the production of Carboxylmethyl cellulose which serves as a thickening agent, emulsifier, stabilizer, extender etc. from palm kernel de-oiled cake. Palm kernel de-oiled cake was converted to Carboxylmethyl cellulose (CMC), a derivative of cellulose by two reaction steps, mercerization and etherification. Some quality control parameters were assayed on the produced CMC. Fourier Transform Infra-red Spectroscopy (FT-IR) was used to characterize the produced Carboxylmethyl cellulose and the commercial grade CMC as control. Paint formed using CMC was assessed in terms of viscosity, pH, and compared with paint formed using commercial CMC. Carboxylmethyl cellulose is a highly specific substrate for the endo-acting cellulase and its catalytic product (glucose) was assayed using a simple reducing sugar assay such as 3,5-dinitrosalycylic assay. The results of the CMC at the first etherification gave a degree of substitution and kinematic viscosity of 0.65 ± 0.02 and 70.46 ± 1.20, while at second etherification, the values obtained were 1.0 ± 0.01 and 80.0 ± 1.00 against the values obtained from the commercial grade which were given as 1.7 ± 0.05 and 95.0 ± 0.04 respectively. The result of the FT-IR of the CMC (test) and the commercial CMC shows similarities at a wavelength of 600 - 4000 cm?1 with slight differences. The presence of CMC was quantitatively confirmed by the activity of cellulase enzyme on the product which was estimated by colour development using 3, 5-dinitrosalicyclic acid and read at 540 nm. The results of the CMC showed no significant differences with the commercial grade using a one-way test (ANOVA) p > 0.05. The results showed that palm kernel cake can be a better source of cellulose for the production of CMC which would find many applications in food, drug, paint, paper and allied industries.

Naturally Produced Lovastatin Modifies the Histology and Proteome Profile of Goat Skeletal Muscle

Simple SummaryEnteric methane formation in ruminants is one of the major contributors to climate change. Among the potential strategies, the supplementation of naturally produced lovastatin has been reported as one of the promising approaches for the mitigation of methane emissions. Nevertheless, statins have been associated with the development of muscle-related adverse effects which could affect the health and wellbeing of the animals. We have reported previously that supplementation of naturally produced lovastatin at 2 and 4 mg/kg body weight (BW), reduced methane emissions in goats without adversely affecting rumen fermentation and animal performance, except at higher level of lovastatin (6 mg/kg BW). However, the effects of lovastatin on the skeletal muscle in goats and the associated mechanisms have not been studied. Hence, the present study aimed to examine the effects of lovastatin on the histology of the goat skeletal muscle from the above study and to further elucidate the related underlying biochemistry processes. Histology analysis observed marked degeneration in the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of goats supplemented with 6 mg lovastatin/kg BW. Our preliminary label-free proteomics analysis identified approximately 400 proteins in total, a number of which were differentially expressed, which are involved in energy metabolism and may have contributed to the observed skeletal muscle damage above 4 mg/kg BW.This study was conducted to examine the effects of different levels of lovastatin on the histological and sarcoplasmic proteome profile of goat skeletal muscle. A total of 20 intact male Saanen goats were randomly assigned in equal numbers to four groups and fed a total mixed ration containing 50% rice straw, 22.8% concentrates and 27.2% of various proportions of untreated or treated palm kernel cake (PKC) to achieve the target daily intake levels of 0 (Control), 2 (Low), 4 (Medium) or 6 (High) mg lovastatin/kg BW. A histological examination discovered that the longissimus thoracis et lumborum muscle of animals from the Medium and High treatment groups showed abnormalities in terms of necrosis, degeneration, interstitial space and vacuolization. Our preliminary label-free proteomics analysis demonstrates that lovastatin supplementation induced complex modifications to the protein expression patterns of the skeletal muscle of the goat which were associated with the metabolism of carbohydrate and creatine, cell growth and development processes and other metabolic processes. The changes in these biochemical processes indicate perturbations in energy metabolism, which could play a major role in the development of myopathy. In conclusion, the present study suggests that supplementation of naturally produced lovastatin above 4 mg/kg BW could adversely affecting the health and wellbeing of treated animals.

The Effect of Bacillus subtilis Inoculum Doses and Fermentation Time on Enzyme Activity of Fermented Palm Kernel Cake.

The Effect of Bacillus subtilis Inoculum Doses and Fermentation Time on Enzyme Activity of Fermented Palm Kernel Cake.

Biochar produced from Amazonian agro-industrial wastes: properties and adsorbent potential of Cd2+ and Cu2+

In the Amazon region, several residues that have been misused can serve as feedstocks for biochar production with the aim of recovering soils contaminated by heavy metals. However, these biochars need to be firstly tested for their adsorption capacity as well as their physicochemical attributes prior to field application. Therefore, this study aimed to characterize and evaluate the adsorption capacities of Cd2+ and Cu2+ of biochars produced from acai (BA), Brazil nut (BN), and palm kernel cake (BK) residues. Biochars were produced by slow pyrolysis at four different temperatures (400, 500, 600, and 700 °C). The physicochemical properties of the biochars, such as cation exchange capacity, ash, recalcitrance index, and aromaticity were enhanced with increased pyrolysis temperature. The adsorption capacities of Cd2+ and Cu2+ showed high correlations with the physicochemical properties of biochar, indicating the importance of these characteristics in the adsorption process. Furthermore, the adsorption of Cd2+ and Cu2+ also increased with the increase in the pyrolysis temperature. In a competitive system, Cd2+ exhibited higher adsorption capacity than Cu2+ for all biochars. In general, BN showed the highest adsorption capacity, followed by BK and BA. Biochars produced from the Amazonian residues have the potential to improve soil quality when used as amendments in the recovery of soils contaminated with Cd and Cu, representing an environmentally sound technology for the reuse of these residues.

Increasing levels of palm kernel cake ( Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in diets for feedlot cull cows

Increasing levels of palm kernel cake ( Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in diets for feedlot cull cows

Effect of Supplementation of Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) with Enzyme &lt;em&gt;Xylanase&lt;/em&gt; on Performances and Gut Microbiota of Broiler Chickens

Recent development of antibiotics-resistance pathogens in poultry which poses threat to human health has necessitated the search for alternative to Antibiotic Growth Promoters (AGPs) to improve gut microflora in poultry diets. One of the alternatives to AGPs is probiotics which are beneficial organisms. Prebiotics, are by-products of digestion of polysaccharides which poultry do not have enzymes to digest are food for probiotics. Advent of enzymes makes this digestion possible. The prebiotic potentials of enzyme supplemented High Fibre Feedstuffs (HFFs) are not known. This study was conducted to assess the prebiotics potential of xylanase enzyme supplemented Palm Kernel Cake (PKC) on broiler chickens (in-vivo). In the absence of xylanase supplementation, there was significant increase in feed intake (P>0.05), significant decrease in weight gain (P 0.05). There were significant interaction between dietary levels of Palm Kernel Cake and enzyme supplementation on Feed Intake, Weight Gain and Feed Conversion Ratio parameters (p<0.05). Enzyme supplementation irrespective of dietary level of PKC caused a reduction in cost of raising 1kg of broiler Chickens. It can be deduced that enzyme supplementation of PKC helped in increasing and improving protein, ether extract and fibre digestibility. The result obtained for the weights of vital organs showed that the birds were in good health conditions. Analysis of gut microflora (Fungi and Bacteria) showed that dietary levels of PKC (10%, 20% or 30% inclusion) with supplementation of enzyme xylanase enhanced the growth of beneficial microbes which resulted in inhibition or elimination of the opportunistic/ pathogenic microbes. The result of the cost benefit analysis also showed that 10% inclusion level of PKC supplemented with xylanase enzyme resulted in reduction of the cost of production with the best improved broiler performance. Use of enzymes is therefore recommended when HFFs are required as prebiotic source in the gut of broilers. Key words: prebiotics, enzymes, intestinal microflora, digestibility, broiler nutrition

Rumen fermentation characteristics of Ongole crossbred bulls in response to different inclusion levels of dried cassava chips and palm kernel cake

This study determined the best proportion of dried cassava chips (local name: gaplek and palm kernel cake (PKC) with a fixed proportion of rice straw as assessed by rumen fermentation characteristics. Three rations were offered to 14 Ongole crossbred bulls (average liveweight at 200±20 kg). The rations were mixtures of rice straw, gaplek, and PKC at ratio of 20:70:10 (T1), 20:50:30 (T2), and 20:30:50 (T3). and 2% urea was added to each ration. Ruminal fluid samples were obtained 0 hours before feeding at week 14 to measure pH and analyze VFA, NH3-N, and microbial N concentrations. Rumen pH was not changing (range 7.1 - 7.5). The T2 and T3 treatments showed lower total VFA concentrations (P<0.05) than T1 treatment (71.6 and 70.3 vs. 88.4 mM, respectively). The highest NH3-N concentration (P<0.05) was shown by T2 and there were no significant differences between T1 and T3 treatments. The greatest microbial N concentration was shown by T3 treatment, and was followed by T2 and T1. It can be concluded that a high inclusion of gaplek caused no adverse rumen digestion characteristics. A safe combination of rice straw, gaplek, and PKC was at a proportion of 20:30:50.

Non-conventional meals and cakes in ruminants

A comprehensive review on nutritive value of non-conventional meals and cakes, viz. sal seed meal, neem cake, castor oil cake, karanj cake, rubber seed meal, guar meal and palm kernel cake, their safe levels of inclusion in ruminant diet and various processing methods for their detoxification was carried out. CP content in above feeds was well above 20% except sal seed meal (14%). Among several methods water washing, soaking, steam cooking, chemical and biological methods were the most abundantly tried by the researchers. Chemical treatment was effective in reducing toxic principles from sal seed meal (80–90%), neem seed cake, castor oil cake (around 100%) and karanj cake. In several cases, water washing after chemical treatment resulted in huge loss of dry matter (DM). Biological treatment with fungal culture was successful for the safe inclusion of guar meal and rubber seed cake. Thus non-conventional ingredients on detoxification hold a great promise in reducing the competition for feedstuff among human and ruminants and also in balancing ruminant ration.

A comparison of three highly fermentable carbohydrate sources (corn, cassava powder or cassava pulp) on in vitro digestion

Cassava powder and pulp contain high levels of carbohydrate and variable starch; thus, they have the potential as substitutes for corn grain in cattle rations. This study aims to determine whether cassava (powder and pulp) can replace corn as an energy source in rations. Using a completely randomized design, rations were formulated using three corn, cassava powder or cassava pulp; and palm kernel cake as a protein source with a ratio of 60:40 (carbohydrate:protein source). Cassava powder and cassava pulp in the diet increased (P<0.05) VFA concentration over that from corn (14.6 and 18.2 vs. 11.3mM, respectively) and decreased NH3-N (4.73 and 4.55 vs. 8.26mg/100mL, respectively) in the rumen fluid compared to corn (P<0.05). pH did not change and ranged from 7.10-7.24. Rations containing cassava pulp showed the greatest microbial N concentration (P<0.05) compared to rations containing corn or cassava (5.85 vs. 4.52 and 1.43mg/100mL, respectively). Dry matter digestibility of the ration with cassava powder is higher (P<0.05) than corn and cassava pulp (62.4 vs. 59.4 and 50.6%, respectively). It may be concluded that cassava powder and cassava pulp can substitute corn in ruminant rations with a positive effect on the characteristics of rumen fermentation.

Characteristics of the pyrolytic products from the fast pyrolysis of palm kernel cake in a bench-scale fluidized bed reactor

Palm kernel cake (PKC) was pyrolyzed in a bench-scale pyrolysis plant equipped with a bubbling fluidized bed reactor, char separation system, and bio-oil recovery system under various reaction temperatures. Experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of reaction temperature and observe the behavior of nitrogen in pyrolysis products. The maximum yield of bio-oil from PKC was approximately 63 wt.% at a reaction temperature of 401 °C. The main chemical compounds of bio-oils obtained from PKC were acetic acid, levoglucosan, nitrogen-containing compounds, and fatty acids such as dodecanoic acid, octanoic acid, tetradecanoic acid, and oleic acid. At reaction temperatures above 401 °C, the nitrogen content of bio-oils does not depend on reaction temperature. It is suggested that the resulting bio-oil requires additional treatment for use as a clean fuel.

Effects of Corn Supplementation into PKC-Urea Treated Rice Straw Basal Diet on Hematological, Biochemical Indices and Serum Mineral Level in Lambs.

Simple SummaryIn Malaysia, livestock farms have used palm kernel cake as the main source of feed for livestock. The low cost and good content of crude protein in palm kernel cake makes it an appropriate food for sheep, but feeding huge amounts of palm kernel cakes (PKC) for a long period may expose them to copper toxicity. This study suggests supplementing a certain amount of corn as a source of energy into PKC basal diets estranged of toxicity to maintain the health status of lambs compared with other treatments, in terms of the hematological and biochemical parameters of lambs.Twenty-seven Dorper lambs were used to determine the effect of supplementing corn as a source of energy into the palm kernel cake (PKC) urea-treated rice straw basal diet on the blood metabolic profile and metals in lambs. The lambs were randomly allotted to three experimental treatments according to their initial body weight for a 120 day trial. Dietary treatments were: T1 (control diet) = 75.3% of PKC + 0% corn, T2 = 70.3% of PKC + 5% corn, and T3 = 65.3% of PKC + 10% corn. The results of this study indicated that copper (Cu), selenium (Se), zinc (Zn), and iron (Fe) concentration intake, retention, and its absorption from the gut and apparent mineral digestibility were highly significant for the levels of corn supplementation. The biochemical and hematological parameters remained within normal levels with the treatments, but the white blood cell, eosinophil count, cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) were significantly higher in T3. Treatment 3 significantly increased the concentration of Se and Fe, while Zn was reduced in the blood serum of lambs on day 120. The result shows that the inclusion of corn has no effect on the hematological and biochemical parameters of lambs after incorporating corn into the PKC-based diet at 5% and 10%.

Comparative Study of Extracellular Proteolytic, Cellulolytic, and Hemicellulolytic Enzyme Activities and Biotransformation of Palm Kernel Cake Biomass by Lactic Acid Bacteria Isolated from Malaysian Foods.

Biotransformation via solid state fermentation (SSF) mediated by microorganisms is a promising approach to produce useful products from agricultural biomass. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) that are commonly found in fermented foods have been shown to exhibit extracellular proteolytic, β-glucosidase, β-mannosidase, and β-mannanase activities. Therefore, extracellular proteolytic, cellulolytic, and hemicellulolytic enzyme activities of seven Lactobacillus plantarum strains (a prominent species of LAB) isolated from Malaysian foods were compared in this study. The biotransformation of palm kernel cake (PKC) biomass mediated by selected L. plantarum strains was subsequently conducted. The results obtained in this study exhibited the studied L. plantarum strains produced versatile multi extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities that were active from acidic to alkaline pH conditions. The highest total score of extracellular hydrolytic enzyme activities were recorded by L. plantarum RI11, L. plantarum RG11, and L. plantarum RG14. Therefore, they were selected for the subsequent biotransformation of PKC biomass via SSF. The hydrolytic enzyme activities of treated PKC extract were compared for each sampling interval. The scanning electron microscopy analyses revealed the formation of extracellular matrices around L. plantarum strains attached to the surface of PKC biomass during SSF, inferring that the investigated L. plantarum strains have the capability to grow on PKC biomass and perform synergistic secretions of various extracellular proteolytic, cellulolytic, and hemicellulolytic enzymes that were essential for the effective biodegradation of PKC. The substantial growth of selected L. plamtraum strains on PKC during SSF revealed the promising application of selected L. plantarum strains as a biotransformation agent for cellulosic biomass.