Utilization Of Meal Research Articles

Cardoon Meal as Alternative Protein Source to Soybean Meal for Limousine Bulls Fattening Period: Effects on Growth Performances and Meat Quality Traits.

Simple SummaryBeef cattle feeding strategies are commonly based on soybean meal utilization as a fundamental protein source. This feed, though, might have negative environmental impacts on the major areas of production and is becoming very expensive. Cardoon (Cynara cardunculus L.) is a resilient crop which represents a good opportunity in reclaiming and remediating unutilized lands. Cardoon seeds are rich in oil, which is extracted for industrial purposes, and the related by-products (press cake and meal) are characterized by high protein content and essential fatty acids. The aim of this study was to evaluate cardoon meal as a protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period, in order to study a suitable alternative to develop and create low-input and low-emission feeding strategies. The results obtained in terms of growth performances showed no statistical difference between bulls fed the by control diet (containing soybean meal as main protein source) and animals fed by the experimental diet, where soybean meal was partially replaced by one containing cardoon meal. Meat quality traits were measured, and no differences between the groups were found. Hence, these by-products could be considered as a valuable solution in Limousine bulls’ fattening periods and could be used to represent a key factor to improve cattle-feeding sustainability.Soybean meal is the most important protein source in beef cattle feeding. The research of alternative protein sources to replace soy use, avoiding negative effects on in vivo performance and on the product’s quality, is an important issue. In this context, cardoon represents a non-OGM resilient crop that can be cultivated in marginal lands for extracting its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) and whose and the residual meal from its seed oil (utilized for biodiesel and biodegradable bioplastic production) could be a suitable by-product for animal feeding, due to its fairly high protein content. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of using cardoon meal as an innovative protein source during the Limousine bulls’ fattening period. Thirty-two bulls were divided into two groups and fed with a diet containing soybean meal (SG) or partially replacing soybean meal with cardoon meal as a protein source (CG), respectively. The feeding trial lasted about 11 months. Growth performances and meat physical–chemical traits were evaluated. No statistical differences in feed efficiency, average daily gain, or in the main meat quality indicators, as well as in fatty acid profiles were found among the groups. Therefore, cardoon meal could be considered as an alternative to soybean meal in fattening Limousine bulls in order to enhance the sustainability of the farming system.

A Two-step Strategy for High-Value-Added Utilization of Rapeseed Meal by Concurrent Improvement of Phenolic Extraction and Protein Conversion for Microbial Iturin A Production.

Rapeseed meal (RSM) is a major by-product of oil extraction from rapeseed, consists mainly of proteins and phenolic compounds. The use of RSM as protein feedstock for microbial fermentation is always hampered by phenolic compounds, which have antioxidant property with health-promoting benefits but inhibit bacterial growth. However, there is still not any good process that simultaneously improve extraction efficiency of phenolic compounds with conversion efficiency of protein residue into microbial production. Here we established a two-step strategy including fungal pretreatment followed by extraction of phenolic compounds. This could not only increase extraction efficiency and antioxidant property of phenolic compounds by about 2-fold, but also improve conversion efficiency of protein residue into iturin A production by Bacillus amyloliquefaciens CX-20 by about 33%. The antioxidant and antibacterial activities of phenolic extracts were influenced by both total phenolic content and profile, while microbial feedstock value of residue was greatly improved because protein content was increased by ∼5% and phenolic content was decreased by ∼60%. Moreover, this two-step process resulted in isolating more proteins from RSM, bringing iturin A production to 1.95 g/L. In conclusion, high-value-added and graded utilization of phenolic extract and protein residue from RSM with zero waste is realized by a two-step strategy, which combines both benefits of fungal pretreatment and phenolic extraction procedures.

Peanut meal extract fermented with Bacillus natto attenuates physiological and behavioral deficits in a D-galactose-induced aging rat model.

Our previous studies have shown that the nutritional properties of peanut meal after fermentation are markedly improved. In this study, in order to facilitate the further utilization of peanut meal, we investigated the effects of its fermentation extract by Bacillus natto (FE) on cognitive ability, antioxidant activity of brain, and protein expression of hippocampus of aging rats induced by D-galactose. Seventy-two female SD rats aged 4-5 months were randomly divided into six groups: normal control group (N), aging model group (M), FE low-dose group (FL), FE medium-dose group (FM), FE high-dose group (FH) and vitamin E positive control group (Y). Morris water maze (MWM) test was performed to evaluate their effects on learning and memory ability in aging rats. SOD activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) content of brain, HE staining and the expression of γ-aminobutyric acid receptor 1 (GABABR1) and N-methyl-D-aspartic acid 2B receptor (NMDAR2B) in the hippocampus of rats were measured. The results show that FE supplementation can effectively alleviate the decrease of thymus index induced by aging, decrease the escape latency of MWM by 66.06%, brain MDA by 28.04%, hippocampus GABABR1 expression by 7.98%, and increase brain SOD by 63.54% in aging model rats. This study provides evidence for its anti-aging effects and is a research basis for potential nutritional benefits of underutilized food by-products.

A mixture design approach to developing a cereal-based complementary meal for better nutritional quality

Adequate nutrition is imperative during infancy and childhood because a short period of malnutrition could have a long-term effect on growth, development and health in the adult life. A mixture design approach was deployed to optimize the composition of a complementary food produced from available food ingredients – for better nutritional quality. A complementary meal was formulated from a mix of yellow maize, sorghum, millet, soybean, groundnut, crayfish and fish. The complementary food was analyzed for nutritional composition and anti-nutritional factors alongside traditional ogi (a fermented maize porridge popularly used as food for children) and another commercially available baby food. Quadratic models were able to explain the moisture and protein content of the complementary food with a R2 of 0.8177 and 0.7284, respectively. Special cubic models were able to explain the ash, fat and crude fibre content of the complementary food with R2 of 0.9022, 0.8352, and 0.8228, respectively. Multi-response optimization was deployed to obtain an optimised complementary meal. The multi-response optimization was set to minimize moisture while it maximized the ash, protein, crude fibre, and fat of the flour blend. The optimized complementary meal had higher ash, fat, fibre and protein content compared to ogi. A 100 g portion of the complementary meal contained 20.26 g crude protein, 8.13 g fat, 55.75 g carbohydrates and yielded up to 377.21 kcal of energy while a 100 g portion of the ogi contained 5.71 g crude protein, 1.04 g fat, 83.86 g carbohydrates and energy yield of 367.64 kcal. The mineral contents of the optimized blend per 100 g portion included potassium (406.10 mg), calcium (50.80 mg), iron (1.04 mg), and zinc (7.53 mg). The optimised complementary meal also had higher protein, ash, crude fibre and fat when compared to the commercially available baby food. Compared to ogi, utilization of this complementary meal for children could offer affordable food with adequate nutrients.

The utilization of black soldier fly larvae meal as a substitution of fish meal in diet for white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei, grow-out

Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) meal is an environmentally friendly protein source due to its bioconversion production in organic waste processing and has it has potential as an alternative protein source for shrimp diet. Therefore, this study aimed to evaluate the utilization of BSFL meal as a substitution for fish meal in diet on the growth performance of white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei. The tested treatment were inclusion levels of BSFL meal namely 0%, 7.5%, 15%, and 22.5% to substitute fish meal in diet. The feeding experiment conducted using 12 of 50 L aquaria, and each equipped with gentle aeration. The white shrimp juveniles with initial weight of 1.20 ± 0.07 g were stocked at a density of 10 shrimp to every aquarium. The test diets were given as much as 8-3% BW/day (decreasing based on shrimp weight development) for 49 cultivation days. The results showed no significant difference between treatments (P>0.05) on the specific growth rate, weight gain, survival rate, feed efficiency, and protein efficiency ratio of white shrimp. In conclusion, the BSFL meal could be used up to the level of 22.5% to substitute fish meal in the diet for white shrimp grow-out.

The effects of a fermented rapeseed meal or/and soybean meal additive on the blood lipid profile and immune parameters of piglets and on minerals in their blood and bone.

The aim of the study was to assess the effect of the inclusion of dried fermented soybean and/or rapeseed meal in piglet feed on immune parameters, blood lipid parameters, and mineral content in the blood and metacarpal bones. The study was conducted on 150 28-day-old piglets divided into 5 groups. Piglets in the control group (C) received a standard diet with soybean meal. Animals in group FR (group receiving a diet with 8% FRSM) received a diet in which a portion of the soybean meal was replaced with 8% dried fermented rapeseed meal (FRSM). Animals in group FR/FS received a diet in which a portion of the soybean meal was replaced with 6% FRSM and 2% fermented dried soybean meal (FSBM). The piglets in group FS/FR received a diet with 6% FSBM and 2% FRSM. Group FS received a diet in which a portion of the soybean meal was replaced with an 8% share of FSBM. The inclusion of 8% or 6% fermented rapeseed meal (group FR or FR/FS) in the diet of piglets had a beneficial effect on their immune status, as evidenced by the increase in plasma levels of IgG and IgA and the decrease in IL-6 relative to the control group. It also significantly increased the concentrations of minerals, i.e. P, Ca and Zn, in the blood plasma and metacarpal bones of piglets and improved the availability of iron, a key bioelement involved in haemoglobin. The use of 8% or 6% fermented soybean meal in the diet (groups FS and FS/FR) of piglets had a positive effect on blood lipid parameters, reducing CHOL and LDL-cholesterol in the plasma. In conclusion, the fermentation process enables better utilization of rapeseed or soybean meal by pigs. Dried fermented rapeseed meal could partially replace protein components from GMO (genetically modified ogranism) crops (soybean meal) used in diets for pigs.

Utilization of Gabus Pasir fish waste meal (Butis Amboinensis) to substitute commercial fish meal on Pekin duck’s performance

The purpose of this study was to determine to the effect of the utilization of Gabus Pasir (Butis amboinensis) waste fish meal (GPWFM) as a substitute for commercial fish meal (CFM) on feed consumption, body weight gain, final weight, and feed conversion ratio of Pekin duck at 8 weeks. This research method uses a completely randomized design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 4 replications, each replication consisting of 5 day old duck. The treatments consisted of P0 (diet with 10% CFM); P1 (diet with 7.5% CFM and 2.5% GPWFM); P2 (diet with 5% CFM and 5% GPWFM); P3 (diet with 2.5% CFM and 7.5% GPWFM) and P4 (diet with 10% GPWFM). Based on the analysis of variance, it showed that all treatments did not have a significantly effect (P>0.05) on feed consumption, body weight gain, final weight and feed conversion ratio of Pekin ducks at the age of 8 weeks of maintenance. It can be concluded that Gabus Pasir fish waste meal can be used in diet to substitute commercial fish meal at a level of 100%, that is 10% of the level of fish meal in the diet.

Utilization of Palm Kernel Meal (PKM) as activated charcoal to remove organic pollutants

Palm kernel meal (PKM) is a waste product from the palm oil industry. The objectives of this study are to synthesize activated charcoal from palm kernel meal and apply its ability to adsorb organic matter in water. Charcoal was prepared and activated by pyrolysis without the flow of the inert gasses method and characterized by Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR), estimation surface area, and their adsorption of organic compounds such as oxalic acid and methylene blue. The product has polar and basal sites with hydroxy and carboxyl groups on the surface. The highest estimation surface area is 523 m2/g with 350 °C temperature pyrolysis. Adsorption data fit the Freundlich isotherm model for oxalic acid and Langmuir isotherm model for methylene blue that indicates interaction of active site on the surface charcoal with adsorbates. The absorption capacities of activated charcoal were 38.03 mmol/g absorbent and 12.49 mmol/g absorbent against methylene blue and oxalic acid, respectively. Therefore, PKM waste can be used to be a potentially viable activated charcoal for removing organic pollutants from aqueous solutions.

Utilization of Fermented Salted Marine Trashfish Meal for Replacing Fishmeal in Nemurus Catfish (Hemibagrus nemurus) Diets

This research was carried out to determine the substitution values of fermented salted marine trash fish (FSMTF) for dietary conventional fishmeal (CFM) on growth of nemurus catfish. Four isoproteic (34% crude protein) and isocaloric (3.15 kcal DE g−1) diets were formulated. One diet was a control diet (C) in which 44% CFM was included and no FSMTF. Other three diets were test diets in which CFM was substituted with FSMTF, 50% (FSMTF-50), 75% (FSMTF-75) and 100% (FSMTF-100). A commercial diet (COM) which composed of 31 % crude protein and 2.90 kcal DE g−1 was also tested as a comparison. Nemurus catfish, 47±3.94 g in weight were distributed into triplicate net cages (2x2x1.5 m), 40 fishes per m3 water, and fed experimental diets two times daily for two months. Total substitution of fishmeal with FSMTF (FSMTF-100) in the fish diet did not affect fish growth (weight gain, specific growth rate, survival rate), feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein utilization as compared to control diet. Total substitution of CFM with FSMTF gave better feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and protein utilization than commercial diet. FSMTF therefore can completely replace CFM in the diet of nemurus catfish.

Extrusion treated meal concentrates of Brassica juncea as functionally improved ingredient in protein and fiber rich breadstick preparation

The present work involves utilization of Brassica juncea meal concentrate for the preparation of functionally improved breadsticks. The mustard meal concentrate was prepared and a portion of this was extruded after optimization of process parameters which resulted in improvement of quality of meal concentrate in terms of better protein, less bitterness and lower Allyl isothiocyanate content. Meal concentrate and its extruded form were studied prior to breadstick formulation in terms of their physicochemical attributes. Thereafter, extruded and non-extruded seed meal concentrates were used to fortify wheat flour based bread at different ratios to improve the protein and fiber level compared to the control bread. The study also investigated the physical attributes, proximate analysis and antioxidant properties of the breadsticks produced. Protein content was found between 15 and 20 g/100 g sample and fiber content of 6g/100 g was obtained with 15 g of meal incorporation in the products. Sensory evaluation showed that extrusion cooked meal concentrate based breadsticks gained significant improvement in acceptability than the control and non-extruded meal concentrate based products. Results from the present study suggest that extrusion treated mustard meal concentrate proved out to be an excellent choice for use in functionally improved breadstick preparation.

Utilization of hatchery waste meal in cassava products based broiler finisher diets

The trial reported herein investigated the use of hatchery waste meal as a replacement for fish meal in a cassava products-based broiler finisher diet. One hundred and twenty five (125) four-week old broilers were randomly allotted to five iso-energetic and iso-nitrogenous experimental diets such that each dietary treatment was replicated five times with five birds /replicate. All the diets contained whole cassava root meal (WCRM) as source of energy with soybean meal (SBM) and cassava leaf meal (CLM) (plant protein sources) supplying 50% and 25% of the total dietary protein respectively. The experimental treatment consists of fishmeal (FM) and hatchery waste meal (HWM) as animal protein sources supplying the remaining 25% of the total dietary protein. Additionally, In Dier 1 (FM and HWM supplied 100.0 and 0% of dietary animal protein respectively), diet 2 (FM and HWM supplied 75.00 and 25.00% of dietary animal protein respectively), diet 3 (FM and HWM supplied 50.00 and 50.00% of dietary animal protein respectively), diet 4 (FM and HWM supplied 25.00% and 75.00% of dietary animal protein respectively) while in diet 5 (FM and HWM supplied 0 and 100.00% of dietary animal protein respectively).. The diets were fed over a five-week period. Average daily feed intake was not significantly affected by dietary treatments, weight gain and feed conversion ratio were however significantly affected (P< 0.05) by dietary treatment. Protein retention was significantly influenced (P<0.05) by dietary treatments. Blood biochemical indices showed that hatchery waste meal was well utilized by finishing broilers. All hatchery waste meal based diets compared very favorably with the control with Diet 3 appearing as the best with respect to performance indices and protein retention. In conclusion, the results of this experiment indicated that hatchery waste meal holds promise as a replacement for fishmeal in cassava root-cassava leaf-based diers. 

English

This study assessed the supplemental value of Roxazyme® G2 in the utilization of cassava fibre meal (CFM) by broiler-chickens in a 56 day feeding trial. A batch of three hundred and sixty day-old Arbor acre broiler-chicks was allotted to twelve treatments replicated five times of six birds in a 4 × 3 factorial in complete randomization. Cassava fibre meal was substituted for maize at 0, 20, 40 and 60% levels and Roxazyme® G2 supplementation was at 0, 100 and 200 mgkg-1. Results showed that CFM substitution at 40 and 60% levels for maize led to significant decrease (p<0.05) in weight gain of broiler chickens at both starter and finisher stages while feed conversion ratio was significant (p<0.05) at 60% CFM substitution at the starter phase. The effect of enzyme supplementation was not significant in the physiological growth of the birds at both starter and finisher stages. Eviscerated weight, liver and kidney weights were significantly (p<0.05) affected by CFM substitution. The effect of interaction was not significant (p>0.05) indicating that performance, carcass and organ description of broiler chickens were not dependent of the two factors under investigation. At starter phase, CFM substitution led to the saving of $0.07-0.08 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain and $0.08-0.13 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain on broiler finisher production. Roxazyme® G2 supplementation only at 100 mgkg-1 led to the saving of $0.03 and 0.01 per cost of feed $/kg weight gain at the starter and finisher stages respectively. Key words: Broiler chickens, cassava fibre meal, Roxazyme® G2, weight gain.

Utilization of coconut meal based diets supplemented with lysine by broiler chicken

Coconut meal (CM) was included in a broiler diet to supply 40% of the total groundnut cake protein. The diet was formulated based on the recommendations of a previous study that coconut meal protein can replace 40% of groundnut cake (GNC) in broilers diet. A control diet was formulated containing 22% GNC, the protein of which was replaced by coconut meal protein. Five diets were prepared . The control (Diet A) and 4 others that contained essentially the same proximate composition (Diets B-E) were supplemented with synthetic lysine at 0.30, 0,60, 0.90 and 1.20% dietary levels. 240 broiler chicks were alotted into 5 dietary treatment groups of 3 sub-groupa. Each sub-group contained 16 birds. The dietary lysine content from diets A-E were 1.20, 1.15, 1.45, 1.76 and 2.00% respectively and were fed to the broilers for a period of 56 days. Performance indices, average feed consumption, average body gain, live weight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) were monitored. The dry matter, protein and ether extractretentions were all equally monitored twice at the 4th and 8th week. Haematological and enzyme assays were investigated at 4th and 8th week. The average feed consumption and FCR were significantly increased (P<0.05) by the increasing level of lysine supplementation both at the 4th and 8th week. The body gain also decreased significantly (P<0.05) at the 4th and 8th week while the live weight was significantly (P<0.05) better in the control and 0.6% lysine supplementation at the 56th day of the study. The dry matter, nitrogen and other extract retentions significantly decreased (P<0.05) at the 4th and 8th week. The total protein and albumin decreased significantly (P<0.05) at the 4th and 8th week while, creatinine and urea increased with increasing level of lysine supplementation. The serum glutamate amino transaminase and alanine amino transaminase both increased significantly (P<0.05) at the 4th and 8th week. The study indicated that 0.6% lysine supplementation (of diet containing coconut meal contributing 40% protein of the major vegetable protein source) enhance the utilization of the coconut meal by broilers.

Effect of enzyme supplementation on the utilization of shrimp waste meal based diets by broiler chicken

The effects of enzyme supplementation of shrimp waste meal (SHM) based diets on the performance and nutrient utilization of starter and finisher broilers were studied. One hundred and twenty day old broilers (Anak sirain) were randomly divided into four groups of 30 birds each. Each group was further divided into three replicates of 10 birds each. The birds were assigned the four dietary treatment in 2 X 2 factorial design, Diets 1 and 3 had fish meal as the sole animal protein source, diets 2 and 4 had shrimp waste as the animal protein source. Diets 1 and 2 were without enzymes while diels 3 and 4 were supplemented with enzyme. Records of performance, nutrient utilization, blood parameters and carcass characteristics were taken. The values of average final weight, daily weight gain, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio at starter and finisher phases were not significantly (P>0.05) influenced by the dietary treatment. The daily feed intake of the starter broilers fed diet 3 (fish meal based diets with enzyme) was significantly (P<0.05) higher than those of other treatment. Birds fed fish meal diet without enzyme had the highest serum uric acid and serum cholesterol at the starter phase. Finisher broiler fed fish meal based diet without enzyme had a significantly (P<0.05) higher serum creatinine value. Carcass characteristics measured were not significantly influenced by the dietary treatments. It was concluded that SWM can be employed as an animal protein source in broiler diets. The exogenous enzyme (Roxazyme G) used did not effect any appreciable improvement on the utilization of SWM based diets.

Utilization Of Rubber Seed Meal As A Protein Supplement In Broiler Finisher Rations.

A feeding trial was conducted to evaluate the performance of finisher broiler chicks fed diets containing different levels of partially defatted rubber seed meal as a replacement for roundnut cake. Four isocaloric and iso-nitrogenous diets (A, B, C and D) were formulated using groundnut cake (GNC) as the reference protein source; and 10, 15 and 20% of the GNC in the control diet (A) were replaced with rubber seed meal (RSM) in rations B, C and D, respectively. No significant differences (P>0.05) were observed in feed intake, growth rate, feed efficiency and protein efficiency ratio among the birds on the different diets. However, the dressed weight and dressing percentage and total edible meat to bone ratio showed significant (P <0.05) differences. The results indicated that replacement of GNC with RSM at levels studied, did not significantly depress the performance of broiler finishers but was quiteeneficial in terms of economics of production.

Utilization of raw, cooked or fermented cassava-urea meal in a total diet for growing ewe-lambs

The nutritive value of cassava meal (CM), raw cassava-urea meal (RCU), cooked cassava-urea meal (CCU), and fermented cassava-urea meal (ECU) mixed with other ingredients were evaluated in this study using West African dwarf sheep. Twenty ewe-lambs (6 months old) and twelve ewes (12 months old) were respectively used for growth and metabolic investigations. Dry matter (DM) intake was 2,1 3, 3.25, 3.20 and 3.35 % BW; growth rate 48.3, 67.5, 86.9 and 88.3 g/day; and feed conversion ratio (FC7R) was 8.76, 7.54, 6.49 and 6.52 for CM, RCU, CCU and ECU respectively. DM digestibility was 58.5, 68.4, 73.3 and 72.5 % while nitrogen retention Was 40.5, 30,9, 46.3 and 45.4 % for CM, RCU, CCU and FCU respectively. Nutrient utilization and growth of ewe-lambs fed cassava-based diets improved with addition of urea to cassava meal. Cooking or fermentation further improved nutritive value and feed conversion ratio of cassava-urea meal. Since fermentation requires less labour and energy costs than cooking, it may be the preferred option for processing cassava-urea mixtures for ruminant feeds by resource-poor farmers in Nigeria.

Utilization of the energy potential of waste meal and creating of “green” workplaces

The issue of finding a suitable eco-technological approach for the utilization of waste meals generated in the production of vegetable oil is extremely relevant in terms of achieving a high “non-waste” degree in modern oil production. In practice, the direction related to the application of the meal as a material resource in animal husbandry is widely known – mainly for feeding of farm animals. At the same time, there are alternative areas related to other economic sectors, such as composting, biodiesel production, heat treatment and others, whose economic efficiency is still not sufficiently substantiated. Along with the topic of waste recovery, the measures for prevention of workers and ensuring safe and healthy working conditions are considered. The creation of “green” jobs, which directly or indirectly contribute significantly to the protection and restoration of the environment and to the reduction of the consumption of energy and raw materials, is extremely relevant in this direction.

Utilization of sesame meal as protein source in broiler diets

A broiler feeding trial was conducted to determine the optimum replacement value of sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) meal for soyabean in maize-soyabean diets. A total of 252 day-old Anak 80 strain broiler-type chicks were used. Three replicate groups of 14 birds each were randomly allotted on six treatment diets containing 0, 10, 15, 20, 30 and 40% of sesame meal in the diets. Feed and water were provided ad libitum. Results showed that broiler birds fed up to 15% level of sesame meal in diets performed significantly (P<0.05) better than those fed on control diets for all the parameters studied. Feed consumption and feed efficiency values were also significantly lower for birds fed 15% sesame meal diets compared to those on control. However, sesame meal al 30 and 40 percent in diets significantly (P<0.05) depressed growth performance of broiler birds. It was found from this study that, up to 15% sesame meal could be used in maize-soyabean broiler diet without adverse effect on growth parameters.

Replacement value of unpeeled cassava rootmeal (UCRM ) for maize in weaner rabbit diets

Twenty four mixed breed (New Zealand x Chinchila) rabbits aged six weeks with average initial weight of 560g were used to examine the effect of replacing maize with unpeeled cassava root meal (UCRM) on the performance, organoleptic properties and economy of rabbit production. The rabbits were divided into four groups and assigned to four treatment diets formulated with 0, 10, 20 and 30% UCRM respectively. Average live weight and weight gain were significantly (P<0.05) improved by the increasing levels of URCM, but feed intake, feed conversion ratio and protein efficiency ratio were not significantly (P>0.05) affected. All the organoleptic properties were not affected significantly (P>0.05) by the dietary treatments. However, the increasing levels of UCRM reduced the cost per kg feed, seed cost per kg weight gain and cost of production of rabbits to matured weight. Therefore, the utilization of unpeeled cassava root meal us replacement for maize up to 30% level is profitable and feasible in rabbit diets formulation.

Performance of broiler chickens fed graded dietary inclusion levels of moringa (Moringa oleifera) seed cake

The progressive increase in the cost and scarcity of conventional feedstuffs, especially energy and protein sources has resulted into a continuous effort in researching into the possible utilization of the under - exploited wild legumes in poultry feed formulation. Several Researchers had reported on the utilization of Moringa oleifera leaf meal in poultry diets whereas; few reports exist on the utilization of Moringa seed. Therefore, this study wasconducted to evaluate the effect of graded dietary levels of moringa seed cake (MSC) on the performance of broiler chickens. A total of 195, one day old Arbor Acre broiler chicks were randomly assigned into five dietary treatments of moringa seed cake, each treatment having three replicates in a completely randomized design. MSC was included at levels of 0, 5,10, 15 and 20% respectively. Feed and water were given ad- libitum. Proximate composition ofMSC showed that it is high in energy, crude protein and ether extract with3304. 39 ME kcals/ kg, 32.49 % and 17.70%, respectively. Birds fed 5% MSC diet were better than the birds on the other levels of MSC diets in terms of growth and carcass characteristics. The results obtained from growth study revealed a significant declined in, final weight, weight gain, feed intake, and feed conversion ratio as the inclusion levels of MSC increased beyond 5% in thediets. The birds on control diet had the best result in terms of final weight , daily weight gain and daily feed intake of 2974g/bird, 52.4g/bird / day and 107.51g/bird/ day respectively followed by those fed diet containing 5% MSC with 2183.4g/bird, 38.24/bird /day and 95.66g/bird /day respectively. whereas, the birds fed 20% MSC had the least (P>0.05) final weight, daily weight gain and daily feed intake of 560 g/bird, 9.26g/bird /day and 33.51g/bird/day respectively. Carcass characteristics followed similar trend as the growth parameters. Hematological indices showed significant differences across the dietary treatments, however, the results were within the normal range except for the white blood cell. It can therefore be, concluded that the inclusion of MSC in broiler chicken diet should not exceed 5% for optimum growth and general performance.