Influence of Processed Cassava Peel-leaf Blend as Replacement for Maize on Growth Performance and Serum Parameters of Growing Pigs

Background: The use of alternative feedstuff like cassava peel and leaf in pig production is of great concern due to reduced nutrient availability caused by high fibre and antinutritional constituent. The current study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of differently processed cassava peel-leaf blend (CPLB) on growth and blood parameters of growing pigs. Methods: CPLB (Cassava peel: Cassava leaf; 5:1) was included in pigs diet in a feeding trial for 16 wks. The CPLB replaced maize at 100%. 24 pigs of mean weight range (20-22 kg) were assigned on a weight equalization basis to four dietary treatments having six replicates with one pig per replicate. A standard corn soya-based diet (control), Unfermented CPLB (UCPLB), water fermented CPLB (WCPLB) and microbial fermented CPLB (MCPLB) using Aspergillus tamarii as inoculum was formulated. Growth response was measured and serum analysis was carried out at the end of the 8th and 16th week. Result: There was no significant (p greater than 0.05) effect on growth performance at the end of the 8th and 16th weeks. Dietary inclusion of MCPLB resulted in higher (p less than 0.05) cholesterol (144.30 mmol/L) in pigs than those fed control diet (97.20 mm/L) at the end of 8th week. Pigs fed diet containing UCPLB had reduced (p less than 0.05) serum creatinine (0.58 mg/dl) at the end of 16th week. In conclusion, CPLB based diet irrespective of processing method did not significantly affect growth performance and without negative effect on blood serum parameters.