Weight Gains and Economy of Production of Weaner Pigs Fed Diets Containing Fermented Mixture of Cassava Root Pulp and Palm Kernel Cake as Replacement for Maize

Abstract

The need to improve the nutritive value of feed materials containing high levels of non-starch polysaccharides (NSPs) such as lignin, cellulose, mannan among others for monogastric feeding has led to interest in solid state fermentation (SSF) in recent years. In this study, the efficacy of SSF to improve nutritive value of mixture of grated cassava roots and palm kernel cake for pig feeding was evaluated using 40 unsexed crossbred (Large White X Nigerian Indigenous) weaner pigs. The pigs were randomly allotted to five treatment groups and fed experimental diets in which the maize in the control diet was partially (50%) or completely replaced with either solid state fermented mixture of grated cassava root and palm kernel cake (FEMCARPP) or a 1:1 blend of cassava meal and palm kernel cake (CSM-PKC). Data was collected weekly on the live-weight, weight gain, feed intake and feed conversion ratio, and efficiency of protein utilization. The pigs on dietary FEMCARPP consumed significantly (p < 0.05) less feed but had superior weight gain and similar feed conversion ratio when compared to the control pigs fed maize based diets. In addition, pigs fed dietary CSM-PKC consumed significantly (p < 0.05) more feed and were less efficient in utilizing their feed. It is therefore concluded that solid state fermentation improved the nutritive value of mixture of grated cassava roots and palm kernel cake for swine feeding. Further research is however needed to extend the study to growing-finisher phase and to understand the physiological mechanism of the improved performance of the piglets on dietary FERMCAPP.

Meta-analysis of substitution value of maize with cassava (Manihot esculenta Cratnz) on growth performance of broiler chickens

“…The observed negative performance characteristics in broiler chickens fed cassava in this study could be attributed to the inhibitory effect of cyanide on the cytochrome oxidase, an enzyme that plays an essential role in the mitochondrial aerobic energy metabolism of the respiratory chain ( 6 , 7 ). The results of this study are inconsistent with the findings of Aladi et al ( 5 ) who discovered improved growth performance traits in broiler chickens fed varying levels of fermented cassava. This disparity may be due to the reflex of partial replacement of maize with cassava.…”

“…The high cost of maize in recent times has necessitated the search for close alternative energy feedstuffs for poultry production, especially in sub-Saharan Africa ( 1 , 2 ). One of the largely used options was cassava ( Manihot esculenta ) ( 3 – 5 ). It is a woody shrub in the family Euphorbiaceae .…”

“…Cassava leaves are low in energy and high in fiber and protein, whereas cassava peels are moderate in energy, low in protein, and higher in fiber than cassava tuber ( 10 ). It has been reported that fermentation can be used to improve the digestibility and nutritional quality of cassava and its by-products ( 5 , 7 ).…”

“…Increased use of cassava in chicken diets will significantly reduce this wastage and also reduce the high cost of poultry feed. However, the utilization of cassava in the chicken diet is hindered by its low crude protein and amino acid content and the dusty nature of dried cassava meals ( 4 , 5 ). Cassava has higher levels of cyanogenic glucosides (HCN), which limits its use in chicken feed ( 6 ).…”