Rumen Contents Of Cattle Research Articles

Nutrient Digestibility and Blood Composition of Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Biodegraded Sweet Orange (Citrus sinensis) Fruit Peel

Aims: To determine the nutrient digestibility and blood composition of broiler chickens fed biodegraded sweet orange fruit peel-based diets.
 Study Design: Completely randomized design.
 Place and Duration of Study: Livestock Research Farm, Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria; fifty-six days
 Methodology: Sweet orange peels and cattle rumen content were collected. Rumen content was mixed with water at a ratio 1 kg: 1 litre and sieved to get rumen filtrate (RF). RF was mixed with Sweet orange peels at a ratio of 1 litre: 2.5 kg and fermented for 48 hours, sun-dried, milled, and added to broiler diets at different levels: 0% (T1), 5% (T2), 10% (T3), 15% (T4), and 20% (T5). A total of 150 day-old chicks, randomly assigned to five dietary treatments and three replicates per treatment were raised in a 56-day feeding trial. Three chickens of average live body weight similar to the treatment group average were selected and used to determine nutrient digestibility and blood composition.
 Results: The results showed that the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and nitrogen-free-extract did not differ significantly (P > .05) among the treatment groups. Haematological indices; haemoglobin, red blood cell (RBC), packed cell volume, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin (MCH), did not differ significantly (P > .05) across the dietary groups, while white blood cell (WBC) and mean corpuscular haemoglobin concentration (MCHC) varied significantly (P < .05). Serum indices; total protein (TP), globulin, glucose, cholesterol, and alkaline phosphatase were significantly affected (P < .05) by the experimental diets, while albumin, aspartate transaminase and alanine transaminase did not differ significantly (P < .05) across the dietary groups.
 Conclusion: Biodegraded sweet orange peel-based diets can replace maize grains up to 20% without affecting nutrient digestibility or having any adverse effect on blood constituents of broiler chickens.

Isolation and functional analysis of acid-producing bacteria from bovine rumen.

Ruminants such as cattle rely mainly on microbes in the rumen to digest cellulose and hemicellulose from forage, and the digestion products are mainly absorbed and utilized by the host in the form of short chain fatty acids (SCFAs). This study aimed to isolate acid-producing strains from the cattle rumen and investigate their functions. A total of 980 strains of acid-producing bacteria were isolated from cattle rumen contents using a medium supplemented with bromocresol green. Combined with the test of acid production ability and 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing technology, five strains were selected based on their ability to produce relatively high levels of acid, including Bacillus pumillus, Enterococcus hirae, Enterococcus faecium, and Bacillus subtilis. Sheep were treated by gavage with a mixed bacterial suspension. The results showed that mixed bacteria significantly increased the body weight gain and feed conversion rate of sheep. To investigate the function of acid-producing bacteria in sheep, we used 16S rDNA sequencing technology to analyze the rumen microbes of sheep. We found that mixed bacteria changed the composition and abundance of sheep rumen bacteria. Among them, the abundance of Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota, Acidobacteriota, and Proteobacteria was significantly increased, and the abundance of Firmicutes was significantly decreased, indicating that the changes in gut microbiota changed the function of the sheep rumen. The acid-producing bacteria isolated in this study can effectively promote the growth of ruminants, such as cattle and sheep, and can be used as additives to improve breeding efficiency, which lays a foundation for subsequent research on probiotics.

Biochar-facilitated batch co-digestion of food waste and cattle rumen content: An assessment of process stability, kinetic studies, and pathogen fate

Anaerobic digestion is an established sustainable route for managing the organic fraction of municipal solid waste. The commonly adopted mono digestion of organic waste is often beset by many challenges chief of which is process instability. This study assessed the role of biochar in process stability and pathogen fate for batch co-digestion of food waste (FW) and cattle rumen content (CRC). Biochar had different functional groups, a large surface area (627.50 m2/g), and a pore volume (0.32 cm3/g). Biochar amendments helped stabilize the pH and reduce the accumulation of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and total ammonia nitrogen (TAN). Biochar amendment using 5 g biochar also facilitated biogas production at low pH conditions (3.72 – 4.45), yielding a cumulative biogas yield of 706.11 ml/gVS with a biomethane composition of 64.3%. Pathogen counts revealed significant log reductions in the range 3.0–3.2 for E. coli, Bacillus, and Salmonella within the first 7 days of digestion, corresponding to 99.9% removal, indicating the safety of the resulting digestate for agricultural use. The modified Gompertz model adequately represented the kinetics of the anaerobic digestion process. The study has provided insights into biochar-facilitated digestion of CRC and FW for enhanced process stability.

Availability and Energy Generation Potential of Cattle Rumen Content collected from Vegetable Market Abattoir in Benin City, Nigeria

Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a proven technology for treating biomass materials with a view of producing bioenergy and recovering nutrients. Cattle rumen content (CRC) is an example of a waste biomass material that can be a viable feedstock for AD process. This paper accesses the availability and energy generation potential of cattle rumen content (CRC) collected from vegetable market abattoir in Benin City, Nigeria for a ten-year data of slaughtered cattle in Nigeria. Data obtained revealed that an average 99581.303 Metric tons of dry matter from CRC is generated per annum and with a theoretical biomethane yield of 444.90 ml/gVS can potentially generate 420 GW (gigawatts) in form of biomethane annually in Nigeria through the AD process. When compared with other renewable energy sources in Nigeria, it potentially meets 6.44 % supply from other renewable energy sources, and exceeds energy currently being generated from wind and solar sources combined. Anaerobic digestion if deployed is an effective technology to harness the potential that CRC presents Nigeria as a country for affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), clean water sanitation and sustainable communities (SDG 6 and 11), and zero hunger (SDG 2) through soil nutrient enhancement.

DESIGN OF HOUSEHOLD ANAEROBIC BIO-DIGESTER FOR BIOGAS PRODUCTION FROM ABATTOIR WASTE

Despite the awareness on the importance of using biogas produced from various biomasses that were previously considered as wastes, the fact remains that its applicability or usage in domestic purposes such as cooking stoves has not really gained attention especially in developing countries. Based on this reason, this research designed a batch system biogas generating facility that will serve the energy needed for cooking meals by a family size of six members, using rumen contents of cattle (Bos indicus) as biomass. The results made known that an anaerobic digester having a capacity of 2.7m 3 will perfectly serve for such facility to meet its intended use when fed with 72kg of substrate per batch, while the gas holder volume should be 0.527m 3. Necessary appurtenances including water jacket were designed and detailed dimensions, drawings as well as costing of the entire facility were provided to ease fabrication and possibly adjustment in the future if the need arise.

Prokaryotic Diversity of Ruminal Content and Its Relationship with Methane Emissions in Cattle from Kazakhstan.

In this study, we analyzed the microbial composition of the rumen contents of cattle from Kazakhstan. Specifically, samples of the liquid and solid fractions of the rumen were collected to determine the quantitative and qualitative composition of methanogenic archaea. Cattle were six steers receiving hay-concentrate feeding. Methane emission was determined by repeated measurements for each animal. Rumen samples were then taken from fistulas and analyzed using 16S metabarcoding via Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS). The difference between the rumen fractions was investigated, resulting in differential distribution of the families Streptococccaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Desulfobulbaceae, and Succinivibrionaceae, which were more abundant in the liquid fraction, while Thalassospiraceae showed a higher presence in the solid fraction. These differences can be explained by the fact that fibrolytic bacteria are associated with the solid fraction compared to the liquid. A relationship between methane emission and methanogenic microbiota was also observed. Steers producing more methane showed microbiota richer in methanogens; specifically, most Mathanobacteriaceae resided in the liquid fraction and solid fraction of animals 1 and 6, respectively. The same animals carried most of the Methanobrevibacter and Methanosphaera genera. On the contrary, animals 2, 3, and 5 hosted a lower amount of methanogens, which also agreed with the data on methane emissions. In conclusion, this study demonstrated a relationship between methane emission and the content of methanogenic archaea in different rumen fractions collected from cattle in Kazakhstan. As a result of the studies, it was found that the solid fraction of the rumen contained more genera of methanogens than the liquid fraction of the rumen. These results prove that taking rumen contents through a fistula is more useful than taking it through a probe. The presented data may be of interest to scientists from all over the world engaged in similar research in a comparative aspect.

The Effect of Using Crude Enzymes of Cattle Rumen Contents as Bioactivator on the content of Dry Matter, Organic Matter and Crude Protein Content of Palm oil Fronds

This research aims to evaluation the effect using of crude enzymes base on the rumen contents of cattle as bio activators with different doses and incubation length on the dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein content of palm oil fronds to be used as ruminants feed. The completely factorial randomized design with 3 replications for each treatment was used in this study. Factor A was the incubation length of the palm fronds, where A1 = 7 days, A2 = 14 days. Factor B dose of crude enzyme; B1 = 5%, B2 = 10%, B3 = 15%. Parameters observed were dry matter content, organic matter, crude protein. The results showed that there was no interaction effect (p>0.05) between incubation length and different doses of crude enzymes on dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein content of palm fronds. The highest dry matter content was 93.89%, the highest organic matter was 89.22% and the highest crude protein content was 11.04%. The best results in this study were at a dose of 10% treatment with an incubation period of 7 days.

Anaerobic co-digestion of cattle rumen content and food waste for biogas production: Establishment of co-digestion ratios and kinetic studies

This study investigated the batch co-digestion of cattle rumen content (CRC) and food waste (FW) for biogas production in different ratios (CRC:FW) to assess biogas production and process stability. The results showed that CRC and FW possess characteristics that are desirable for biogas production as seen in their respective total solids (10.85 and 26.53%), volatile solids (89 and 86.83%) and carbon to nitrogen ratio (23.7 and 15.7) values. Co-digestion improved carbon to nitrogen ratio, biogas yield and pH of the co-substrate compared to individual substrates. The 50:50 co-digestion ratio was found to be optimum as it gave the maximum cumulative biogas yield of 320.52 ml/gVSadded. Co-digestion also improved the pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA) and total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) characteristics during digestion. The cone model was able to adequately represent the kinetics of the process. These findings have provided very useful insights into the co-digestion of CRC and FW.

Формирование микробиоты в химусе слепой кишки кроликов с повышенным содержанием целлюлозолитических бактерий

The aim of our study was to investigate the possibility of forming the microbiota of the cecum of rabbits with increased content of cellulolytic bacteria Butirivibrio fibrisolvens, due to the transfer of the contents of the rumen of ruminants. To solve this problem, experimental (n=15) and control (n=15) groups of rabbits aged 12 days were formed. In the experimental group, for 14 days the rabbits were tube-feed with a solution of cattle rumen content filtered from coarse undigested feed particles in 1-2 ml diluted 1:1 in physiological solution. To determine the level of cellulosolytic bacteria Butirivibrio fibrisolvens, feces were collected in sterile eppendorfs on day 14 of the study. The presence of cellulosolytic bacteria in cattle rumen content as well as in rabbit feces was determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Real-time PCR results showed that the highest fluorescence values were in the rumen contents and at cycle 40 the fluorescence intensity was 1742.60, in the experimental group it was 1059.98 and in the control group without tube-feeding it was 664,50. Thus, it was shown that by feeding cattle rumen content in the early postnatal period in rabbits can form the gut microbiota with an increased content of cellulolytic bacteria Butirivibrio fibrisolvens.

Valorization of Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass) and piggery manure for energy generation

This study investigated the biogas production potential of Pennisetum purpureum (Elephant grass) (El-g) co-digested with piggery manure (PM) under mesophilic condition in order to combat the menace of weed in cropping systems as well as pollution problems emanating from disposal of PM. Prior to anaerobic digestion (AD), El-g was subjected to a combination of mechanical, thermal and alkaline pretreatments. Using cattle rumen content as inoculum, the pretreated El-g was anaerobically co-digested with PM while the raw El-g was also co-digested with PM and served as control experiment. The physicochemical characteristics of feedstock were evaluated before and after the digestion period using standard methods. The initial high concentrations of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reduced significantly after digestion indicating efficiency of the digestion process. Also, there were reductions in concentrations of calcium and other parameter needed for microbial growth after the digestion which indicated their utilization by microbes to generate biogas. Biogas production began on the 5th and 7th days and was progressive until 30th and 24th days in both digestions after which a decline was observed until the end of the experiment. For the digestion period of 37 days, the total biogas recorded from the pretreated and untreated experiments were 409.5 and 184.1 m3 CH4/kg VS with average of 11.07 and 4.98 m3 CH4/kg VS/day respectively. The study concluded that co-digestion with piggery dung enhanced the biogas producing capacity of El-g hence advocated.

Comparing the effect of biological amendments and chemical fertilizer on bacterial and fungal population

Amelioration of degraded soils has triggered interest regarding alternatives to supply nutrient and improve microbial diversity through the integrated use of organic manure and biofertilizers. In this light, a screenhouse experiment set in a completely randomized design (CRD) with seven (7) treatments; Bacillus thuringiensis (5 ml); digestate (22.4 t ha-1); 50% of digestate + NPK 15:15:15 (11.2 & 3.1 t ha-1); Digestate + B. thuringiensis (22.4 t ha-1 & 5 ml); Digestate + B. thuringiensis + Glomus mosseae 22.4 t ha-1, 5 ml & 500 g); positive control (NPK 15:15:15) and negative control with no treatment, replicated three (3) times was done. This research was carried out in the screen house of the department of soil science and land management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Benin, with the aim of evaluating the agronomic value of anaerobic digestate (derived from cattle rumen content waste), inoculants of B. thuringiensis and G. mosseae in comparison with chemical fertilizer (NPK 15:15:15), while determining its’ effect on soil microbial properties, growth and yield of tomato. The results showed that application of NPK 15:15:15 at a rate of 6.1 t ha-1 caused a significant decrease in number of leaves of the tomato plant with a total of 50 and 56 leaves/plant in pots treated with NPK 15:15:15, and a combination of digestate and NPK respectively at 8 WAT. At 8 WAT, total organic carbon of the soil was best improved in soil with a treatment of digestate, bacteria and mycorrhiza inoculum (61%), and was also significantly improved in the positive control (63%), with the pots with no treatments having the least amount of organic carbon (1.8%). Total nitrogen was highest in treatments of digestate and both inoculums at 5.7% and least in soils with a combination of digestate and NPK 15:15:15 (0.3%). Soil microbial population of bacteria and fungi increased by 20% and 43% respectively. These findings indicate that a combination of anaerobic digestate, B. thuringiensis and G. mosseae applied at 22.4 t ha -1, 5 ml and 500 g respectively is best suited for tomato cultivation and is recommended for optimum growth and yield of tomato in the study area.

The Use of Rumen Contents as Bio–Activators for Fermentation in Goat Manure Fertilizer Production

Slaughterhouse waste cause environmental problems. Rumen content comprise a lot of enzymes of potential bacteria as bio–activators in the process of making goat manure fertilizer. The study aimed to evaluate the quality of goat manure fertilizer added with rumen content. The materials used were goat manure and cattle rumen contents. The research method uses a Completely Randomized Designed (CRD). The percentages of cattle rumen contents treatments i.e. 0 %, 5 %, 10 % and 15 %. The variables measured were Nitrogen (N), Phosphor (P), Potassium (K), Carbon organic, C/N ratio and moisture content. The results showed, the addition of rumen contents had a very significant effect (p < 0.01) on C organic, P, N, and C/N, but had no significant (p > 0.05) on K and moisture content. The results showed that the best treatment was addition of 15 % rumen, that had N 1.59 %, P 0.15 %, K 0.72 %, C organic 30.60 %, C/N 19.24 %, and moisture content 45.86 %. This content had fulfilled SNI 19–7030–2004 for goat manure fertilizer. It could be concluded that giving rumen contents could increase N, P, K, C organic and decrease C/N and moisture content.

The identification of fungi colonies total on the rumen content of cow and buffalo with addition of leaves and oil palm frond

This research aimed to determine the fungi colonies total on the rumen content of cattle and buffaloes with the addition of leaves and oil palm fronds incubated for 7 days. Each of the contents of the rumen was added with molasses, soybean soaking water as an energy source for microorganisms, as well as the addition of oil palm fronds and palm leaves to expect the type of fungus that is expected to grow. Calculation of the total colonies fungi in the rumen contents was carried out using total plate count with the dilution method. Complete Random Design by Factorial used to analyze the statistic data. Factor A was the type of rumen content (A1 = rumen of cattle, A2 = buffalo rumen), factor B was the addition of palm fronds (B1 = only rumen contents, B2 = palm oil fronds, B3 = palm leaves, and B4 = palm oil fronds and palm leaves). The results showed that the total number of fungal colonies was significantly higher in the rumen contents of cattle with an average of 509.17 104 CFU / ml. The highest total number of fungal colonies was found in rumen contents with the addition of palm oil fronds, with an average colony number of 655.83 x104 CFU / ml, while the lowest was found in buffalo rumen contents with the addition of palm fronds and palm leaves (106.67x104 CFU / ml). The addition of oil palm fronds and palm leaves to the rumen contents did not have a different effect (p> 0.05).

MORPHOLOGICAL ANALYSIS AND ACCUMULATION OF NUTRIENTS IN Peltophorum dubium (Spreng.) Taub. SEEDLINGS PRODUCED IN ORGANIC SUBSTRATES WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS

Environmental conservation and regeneration actions must consider plant species that add value by restoring structural and functional aspects of the ecosystem. The forest species, Peltophorum dubium, has several characteristics that make its use viable in projects of restoration of degraded areas, making it necessary to study the species' responses to different cultivation environments. Thus, 500 seeds were selected and sown in vermicompost substrates prepared with different proportions of cattle rumen content (CR) and sugarcane bagasse (SB) (V1 - 60% CR x 40% SB / V2 - 50% CR x 50 % SB / V3 - 40% CR x 60% SB / V4 - 70% CR x 30% SB) and in an commercial substrate (Plantmax®). At 79 days after sowing, 20 seedlings per treatment were removed; they were weighed and measured, resulting in growth, dry matter, and vigor data. The vermicompost substrates were sent to the chemical analysis laboratory to determine their chemical composition. The data were submitted to normality analysis. Analysis of variance was performed for normal data and the Kruskal Wallis test for data that did not show normality. The means or medians were compared using the Tukey test at a 5% probability level. Based on the results related to the growth and vigor of P. dubium seedlings, it is possible to state that the productive potential of the species was higher in the vermicompost substrates.

PEMANFAATAN ISI RUMEN TERFERMENTASI CELLULOMONAS Sp SEBAGAI CAMPURAN PAKAN KOMPLIT TERNAK KELINCI

UTILIZATION OF FERMENTED RUMENT CONTENT WITH CELLULOMONAS SP IN MIXED COMPLETE FEED FOR RABBIT. Research conducted to learn how to use cattle rumen content by using fermentation processing techniques to enable this rumen to be used as rabbit feed. The material used in this study consisted of cattle rumen contents, starter Cellulomonas sp, rabbits, complete feed. This research consisted of two phase. The first study used an experimental method with a completely randomized design 4 preparations and 6 replications. The fermentation time consists of 0 hours, 24 hours, 48 hours and 72 hours. For the second study using an experimental method with randomized block design based on the initial body weight of rabbits. The treatment given is the level of use of the best fermented rumen contents in a complete feed ration. Variable which is translated as feed consumption, body weight gain and feed conversion. Research results The first stage of the P4 study sample (72 hours) as the best guideline is seen from the parameters of crude protein and crude fiber. The results of this study indicate that the use of feed using rumen fermentation (IRF) can increase feed consumption and weight gain. The conclusion of this study is the provision of 30% mixture of fermented rumen contents of Cellulomonas sp in complete feed produced the best results seen from the parameters of consumption, weight gain and feed conversion of rabbit.Keywords: Rumen contents, fermentation, Cellulomonas sp, complete feed, rabbits

POTENSI ISI RUMEN SAPI ASAL RUMAH POTONG HEWAN SEBAGAI PAKAN TERNAK RUMINANSIA DI KABUATEN MANOKWARI

The aim of this resarch is to determine the potential of rumen content of cattle from slaughterhouse as ruminants feed in Manokwari District, judging from quantity (fresh and dry weight), Quality (DM and OM content), and physical characteristics. Data of research analyzed by tabulation and T-Test. The results showed that each cow that is cut produces an average rumen content of 8.507, 88 g fresh weight or 1.127,16 g dry weight with DM content 89,14% and OM content 89,83%. The average daily cattle slaughter of 5 tails, so that the contents of the rumen generated as much as 10.595,8 g (10,596 kg) fresh weight or 5.635,8 g (5,636 kg) dry weight with 5,024 kg DM and 4,513 kg OM availability. Characteristics of the rumen content after drying is yellowishbrown , texture varies smooth to coarse and aromatic typical of rumen or dried grass.

FERMENTASI BLOTONG LIMBAH PG. KREBET DAN RUMEN SAPI DALAM PRODUKSI BIOGAS

Sugar Cane Filter Cake (SGFC) is the sugar cane to sugar processing waste in Krebet Baru Sugar Factory. Utilization of this SGFC waste was limited for free soil or unprocessed fertilizer. Sugar cane filter cake is an organic waste which potential to be utilized into biogas. Biogas is anaerobic process product which consist methane as a major compound. Factors that influence biogas fermentation process were temperature, water content, fiber, total sugar and total concentration of methanogen bacteria inoculum. Natural source of methanogenic bacteria is in the contents of the cattle rumen. The aim of this study was to determine the characteristics of blotong and the effect of addition of cattle rumen on biogas fermentation from the SGFC of the Krebet Sugar Factory. The first stage of this research was Blotong characterization. The second stage was spontaneous fermentation with two treatment factors. The first factor was enhancing the contents of the cattle rumen (5%) and without the addition of cattle rumen (0%). The second factor is the fermentation time with 3 different levels (20, 25 and 30 days). The results were shown that blotong had water content, fiber content, and C / N ratio were 10.71%; 0.06%; and 17: , respectively. These results indicate the potential of the blotong as a raw material for biogas production. SGFC fermentation with the addition of 5% cattle rumen content was shown the best results compared to biogas production with pure SGFC. The highest volume and yield of biogas produced were obtained from the 30-day fermentation process with the results of 37,327 ml of gas and 746.5 x 10-6 m3/kg. All flame tests show positive results and are proven to produce blue flames.

Compost Quality of Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) Solid Waste Oil Industri with Four Starters

The purpose of this research is to utilized and provide added value from dregs seed of nyamplung solid waste through composting process using several starters, and findout the compost chemical character. The research was design as randomized complete (CRD) with 4 types of starters as treatments (biostarter of cattle rumen contents, Prouponic Gb # 1, EM4, Primadec C-15) each with 3 replications. Analysis of 7 chemical properties parameters carried out on nyamplung dregs seed before and after the treatment included: pH, DHL, organic C, total N, C / N ratio, Total P, and total K by comparing to SNI No.19- 7030-2004. The results showed that DHL, C / N ratio, total N, P, and total K of dregs seed compost fulfilled the SNI. The type of starter treatments significantly affected the quality of nyamplung dregs seed compost (DHL, total N, P, and K levels). Types of starters showing the best results were Prouponic Gb # 1 and EM4 compared to other biostarters. Therefore, Prouponic Gb # 1 and EM4 were reccomended to be applied to process nyamplung dregs seed waste into high quality compost.

Compost Quality of Nyamplung (Calophyllum inophyllum L.) Solid Waste Oil Industri with Five Starters

The purpose of this research is to utilized and provide added value from dregs seed of nyamplung solid waste through composting process using several starters, and findout the compost chemical character. The research was design as randomized complete (CRD) with 4 types of starters as treatments (biostarter of cattle rumen contents, Prouponic Gb # 1, EM4, Primadec C-15) each with 3 replications. Analysis of 7 chemical properties parameters carried out on nyamplung dregs seed before and after the treatment included: pH, DHL, organic C, total N, C / N ratio, Total P, and total K by comparing to SNI No.19- 7030-2004. The results showed that DHL, C / N ratio, total N, P, and total K of dregs seed compost fulfilled the SNI. The type of starter treatments significantly affected the quality of nyamplung dregs seed compost (DHL, total N, P, and K levels). Types of starters showing the best results were Prouponic Gb # 1 and EM4 compared to other biostarters. Therefore, Prouponic Gb # 1 and EM4 were reccomended to be applied to process nyamplung dregs seed waste into high quality compost. Keywords: biostarter, dregs seed, compost, solid waste , nyamplung

Evaluation of Rumen Filtrate for Fermentation of Sweet Orange (<i>Citrus sinensis</i>) Peel in Rabbit Feed

Feeding accounts for about 70% of the total cost of non-ruminant animal production in Nigeria. A ninety-one day feeding trial was conducted using thirty (30), 6-7 week old mixed breed weaner rabbits at the Federal University of Agriculture Makurdi, Nigeria from October 10, 2015 to January 9, 2016. The objective was to determine the potential of filtrate from rumen content mixed with water, to improve the nutritive value of Sweet orange ( Citrus sinensis ) peel by fermentation in rabbit production. The filtrate was obtained from the rumen content of cattle and drinking water mixed in equal ratio of 1:1. The filtrate was added to 5kg each of freshly collected sweet orange peel in ratio 1:5 (T1), 2:5 (T2), 3:5 (T3), 4:5 (T4) and 5:5 (T5). Each was mixed thoroughly, put in polythene bags and sealed on top, left under shade of tree to ferment for 24hrs, and thereafter sun-dried. Each of these was milled and used to replace maize in a practical rabbit diet (D) at 30% level. Five rabbits each, individually housed in a rabbit hutch and each serving as a replicate were randomly assigned to and fed diets D, T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5. The experimental diets had significant effect (p 0.05) on percent live weight of liver, kidney, lung, heart and spleen and, on the coefficient of digestibility of dry matter, crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract, nitrogen free extract and total digestible nutrient. Of the carcass yield indicators; dressing weight, fore limb, hind limb and loin, the experimental diets significantly affected (p<0.05) only the loin, with the rabbits in T5 having a comparatively higher weight. The result obtained showed that, rumen filtrate obtained from a mixture of the rumen content of cattle and water at ratio 1:1, when mixed with sweet orange peel atratio 5:5 can be used to ferment sweet orange peel to improve its nutritive value for maize replacement at 30% in rabbit feed.