The potential of cassava products in diets for poultry

Abstract

Inadequate supply, exorbitant prices and diversion towards using cereal grains for biofuel production, particularly maize, has led to a constant search for alternative energy sources for poultry and other non-ruminant species. The abundant availability of cassava in certain regions makes it a good alternative to maize and other cereal grains. Cassava root meal is rich in carbohydrate but low in protein and all other nutrients, whereas, cassava leaf meal is a moderate source of protein. Results of studies to evaluate the replacement of cereals with cassava products in poultry feed show wide variability due to differences in origin, variety, plant maturity at harvest, ecological conditions of plant growth and processing methods. Cassava products contain a wide range of cyanogenetic glycosides, particularly linamarin and lotaustralin. The level of hydrocyanic acid released from the cyanogenetic glycosides limits the utilization of cassava, but with proper processing, the dietary inclusion level of cassava meal can be increased for economic poultry production. This paper reviews the nutrient composition of cassava and its uses as a substitute for more conventional ingredients in poultry diets.

Growth performance and carcass yield of broiler chickens fed commercial finisher and cassava copra meal-based diets

“…The protein content of CRM used in the present study is higher than the 2.8% (Buitrago & Luckett 1999) and 3.6% (Chauynarong et al 2009;Uchegbu et al 2011) reported. Factors such as cultivar, conditions of the soil and stage of maturity, which have all been reported to affect the composition of cassava products (Ravindran & Ravindran 1988;Agwunobi & Okeke 2000) may be reasons for the higher protein content observed in the present study compared to values in literature.…”

Improving Cassava Quality for Poultry Feeding Through Application of Biotechnology

“…The crude protein content of cassava root consists of 50% whole protein, and the remaining portion consists of the free amino acids (predominantly glutamic and aspartic acids) and non-protein components such as nitrite, nitrate and cyanogenic compounds. The restricted use of cassava root meal in poultry feed formulation and feeding is due to its low protein content as well as a relative deficiency in essential amino acids [20]. Although high in arginine, glutamic acid and aspartic acid, other amino acids such as methionine, cysteine, phenylalanine, threonine, proline and isoleucine in cassava are low compared to maize [17].…”

Variation in Nutrient Composition of Cassava Pulp and its Effects on in vitro Digestibility

“…Cassava starch production is a huge and growing industry in the country, with approximately 10 million tonnes of fresh cassava roots used annually (Chauynarong et al, 2009a). Starch extraction also yields cassava pulp as a by-product, which constitutes approximately 30% of the original weight of roots.…”

“…Poult. Sci., 9 (4): 203-212, 2015 Starch quantity and quality in cassava is affected by the conditions of the cassava during growing and harvesting (Tonukari, 2004;Chauynarong et al, 2009a). Drought during the early establishment period results in roots with low dry weight and starch content.…”