Effects of Inoculum Concentration and Soaking of Acacia Pods and Seeds in Ashed Rice Husk Filtrate on Chemical Compunds and In-Vivo Digestibilityof Fermented and Unfermented Acacia

Abstract

A study was conducted to determine the effect of concentration of inoculum (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) and soaking acacia (seeds and pods) with ashed rice husk filtrate (ARHF) on nutrient and anti-nutrient content of fermented and unfermented acacia and their effect on in-vivo digestibilities of dry matter and organic matter. A total of 24 local goats were study. The animals were placed in individual pen. The goats were fed with corn stovers and concentrate. The concentrate consisted of 20% corn, 10% full fat soybean meal, 30% rice bran and 40% acacia seeds and pods. The experimental diets were four levels of inoculum (0, 5, 10 and 15%) and two levels of soaking (without and with ARHF). The feeds and water were available ad-libitum. A randomised block factorial design was used with the inoculum concentration (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as a first factor, levels of soaking as a second factor and three replications. The results indicated that inoculum concentration produced significant effect (P<0.05) on crude protein, crude fibre and saponint contents of fermented acacia. Dry matter and organic matter digestibilities was also affected (P<0.05) due to inoculum concentration. The effects of soaking acacia with ARHF on crude protein, crude fibre, saponin contents, dry matter and organic matter digestibilities were statistically significant (P<0.05). There was an interaction between inoculum concentration and soaked acacia with ARHF on tannin conecntration of fermented acacia. In conclusion, the use of inoculum (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) improved nutritive value of acacia and soaking the acacia with ashed rice husk filtrate prior to fermentation increased the nutritive value. There was an interaction between inoculum concentration and soaked acacia with ashed rice husk filtrate on acacia quality.

Keywords: Acacia, fermentation, ashed rice husk filtrate, goats.