CHEMICAL COMPOSITIONS OF NON-BIODEGRADED AND FUNGI DEGRADED MAIZE COB AS FEED FOR RUMINANTS

K. Ikwunze; P. C. Jiwuba; W. Amaduruonye; N. O. Nsidinaya; N. S. Ekanem; F. O. Ahamefule; U. Okah

Authors

K. Ikwunze College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
P. C. Jiwuba College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
W. Amaduruonye College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
N. O. Nsidinaya College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
N. S. Ekanem Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria
F. O. Ahamefule College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria
U. Okah College of Animal Science and Animal Production, Michael Okrara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Abia State Nigeria

Keywords:

Biodegradation, maize cobs, alternative feedstuff, lignicellulose, Pleurotus tuber-regium

Abstract

The study evaluated the chemical composition of Non biodegraded maize cobs (NBMC), fungidegraded maize cobs. Pleurotus tuber-regium (PTRMC), Pleurotus ostreatus (POMC), Pleurotus eryngii (PEMC), and Pleurotus pulmunarius (PPMC) were used in the biodegradation. The results showed significantly (p<0.05) higher amounts of crude protein, ash, and nitrogen-free extract (NFE) in the biodegraded maize cobs compared to the non-degraded maize cob (NBMC). On the other hand, the fungi-degraded maize cob had significantly lower amounts of organic matter, crude fibre, neutral
detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF), and acid detergent lignin (ADL) than the non-degraded maize cob. Among the fungi-degraded maize cobs, PTRMC had the highest crude protein content (9.77%), followed by POMC (6.35%), PPMC (6.09%), and PEMC (5.32%). PTRMC also had the lowest values for crude fibre (20.29%), NDF (53.35%), ADF (26.44%), and ADL (13.49%). These results suggest that biodegradation by Pleurotus species can improve the nutritional value of maize cob by increasing the content of crude protein, ash, and NFE and decreasing crude fibre, NDF, ADF, and ADL of maize cob making it potential alternative feedstuff for ruminants.