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

A. U. C. OHANAKA; V. O. DURUANYIM; I. F. ETUK; M. C. UCHEGBU; I. C. OKOLI

doi:10.51791/njap.vi.7914

Authors

A. U. C. OHANAKA Federal University of Technology P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
V. O. DURUANYIM Federal University of Technology P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
I. F. ETUK Federal University of Technology P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
M. C. UCHEGBU Federal University of Technology P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.
I. C. OKOLI Federal University of Technology P.M.B 1526, Owerri, Imo State, Nigeria.

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51791/njap.vi.7914

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.