BLOOD PROFILE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED MICROBIAL TREATED MAIZE HUSK DIETSBLOOD PROFILE OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS FED MICROBIAL TREATED MAIZE HUSK DIETS

Abstract

Neurospora crassa and Lactobacillus debruickii are the principal microbes utilized in biotechnology worldwide, due largely to its unique physiology, ability to degrade fibrous feed materials and associated key roles in many food fermentations and other industrial processes. In this project, these fungi were used to test their effectiveness in degrading maize husk and their nutritive potentials in ruminant nutrition. Maize husks were collected, screened, dried, milled, boiled at 100oC for 30 minutes and ensiled anaerobically with microbes (Neurospora crassa and Lactobacillus debruickii) for five days. Thereafter, three diets were formulated such that untreated maize husk was replaced with 0, 40 and 60% microbial treated maize husk meals with other feedstuffs and fed to 18 goats for 56days to assess their intake and the concomitant effect on the blood samples of the animals. Results revealed that all parameters observed were significantly (p<0.05) and numerically influenced. At 60%
replacement level of microbial treated maize husk, the dietary crude protein improved significantly compared to others. The goats accepted/tolerated the diets and the blood profiling of the goats showed that the animals are healthy as the packed cell volume, red blood cell, white blood cell, haemoglobin, serum total protein, globulin, aspartate aminotransferase concentrations were within the normal range for healthy goats. Summarily, the strategy could serve as a means of converting waste generated by crop farmers to wealth – “animal protein” to foster food security in Nigeria.