ORGANIC ACIDS AND ANTINUTRITIONAL CONTENTS OF CABBAGE LEAVES WASTE AND PINEAPPLE PEELS SILAGE FED TO WEST AFRICAN DWARF (WAD) GOATS

Abstract

In Sub-Saharan Africa, the long dry season periods are usually characterized by feed scarcity with a concomitant negative impact on livestock. Ensiling vegetables with fruit trimmings and peels often regarded as waste can be explored as alternative feedstuff, particularly in the off-season. This study was conducted to assess the potential of cabbage leaves waste (CLW) ensiled with pineapple peels (PP) as feed for WAD goats. Diets consisted of the following: T1: 100% Cabbage leaves waste (CLW); T2: 90% CLW + 10% Pineapple peels (PP); T3: 80% CLW + 20% PP; T4: 70% CLW + 30% PP; T5: 60% CLW and 40% PP. The chemical composition, anti-nutrients, and organic acid contents of diets were determined. Results showed that antinutrients in diets were significantly (P<0.05) affected. Flavonoids, oxalate, phytate, and tannin values increased with increasing levels of PP in silage diets. The highest values (399.67mg/100g) were obtained for Saponin in T1 While significantly (P<0.05) lowest saponin values (358.64mg/100g) were obtained in T2. Acetic acid (mmole/100ml) ranged from 7.40 (T2) – 11.53 (T1). Lactic acid and propionic acid values for T1 and T5 were similar but higher than the values reported for T2. It is concluded that increasing levels of pineapple peels in cabbage leaves waste silage improved the organic acid contents while antinutrients remained within acceptable levels.