PHYSICO – CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF PALM KERNEL SHELL ASH (PKSA) AS A POTENTIAL MINERAL SUPPLEMENT IN LIVESTOCK NUTRITION

E. C. Ukonu; A. U. C. Ohanaka; H. O. Uzegbu; D. N. Onunkwo; V. O. Duruanyim; I. Saleh; I. Ejiofor

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.4724

Authors

E. C. Ukonu Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
A. U. C. Ohanaka Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
H. O. Uzegbu Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
D. N. Onunkwo Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State, Nigeria
V. O. Duruanyim Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
I. Saleh Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria
I. Ejiofor Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, Samaru, Zaria, Nigeria

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.4724

Keywords:

Ash, palm kernel shell, mineral contents

Abstract

The aims of this study were to determine the physico – chemical composition of palm kernel shell ash (PKSA) as a potential mineral supplement in livestock nutrition. Properties such as bulk density, water holding capacity, specific gravity, ash yield percentage and pH of the PKSA were evaluated. The mineral content was also assayed to ascertain its concentrations of minerals. Results obtained showed that PKSA had 92.68% dry matter, 0.8206 g/cm3 bulk density, 0.8977 g water/g feed water holding capacity, 0.8149 specific gravity and was mildly alkaline (8.39). The order of mineral elements in PKSA were K> Mg> Ca> P> Na> Fe> Mn> Zn> Cu. A calcium/phosphorus ratio of 1.01 and sodium/ potassium ratio of 0.15 was also calculated for PKSA. Thus, PKSA can serve as a mineral supplement in livestock feeding.