Microbial characterization of feed and faecal samples of weaned pigs fed graded levels of biodegraded cassava peels and weaned pigs performance

Abstract

In-vitro degradation of cassava peel was carried out for 20 days with Trichoderma viride. The highest protein level attainable at the end of the 20th day was 15.95% and the least was 4.76%. Proximate and detergent fibre composition of in-vitro degraded cassava peel samples were determined. Experimental diets were formulated with graded levels of degraded cassava peels for weaned pigs. Diets 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 contained biodegraded cassava peels at the expense of cassava flour at levels 0, 10, 20, 30 and 40%, respectively. Diet 3 was found to be the best utilized with feed conversion ratio (2.74+0.10), while diet 2 with the poorest conversion (3.20+0.07) was the least utilized. The best and least weight gain were recorded in the pigs fed diets 3 and 5, respectively. Biodegradation increased the crude protein content of the cassava peels, which was 15.95% at 20 days compared to 4.76 and 10.13% at 0 and 5th day, respectively. Phytic and tannic acid contents were also reduced by in-vitro degradation. Colonial counts of micro-organisms from faecal samples of pigs ranged between 108 – 1010 cfu/ml. Presence of Mucor spp and Pseudomonas spp. was noted in the experimental diets, while isolates of Lactobacilli spp., E. Coli, Pseudomonas spp. and yeast were the major micro-organisms in the faecal samples. It is therefore, concluded that biodegraded cassava peels should not be used in pig's production, as parameters studied were not significant (P>0.05) and cost of feed per kg live weight gain was best in control. Keywords : Microbial characterization; feed; faecal samples; weaned pigs; cassava peels; pigs performance Moor Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 6 (1&2) 2005 pp. 36-44