Characterization of fruit and vegetable waste as an alternative ruminant feed in Pachuca, Hidalgo, Mexico

Abstract

Objective: to characterize and measure the amount of fruit residues generated during four weeks in a commercial establishment dedicated to the elaboration and sale of fruit juices and cocktails in Pachuca City, Hidalgo, Mexico.

Design/Methodology/Approximation: The total of fruit residues generated in a working day (one day) in an establishment dedicated to the sale of juices and smoothies in the city of Pachuca de Soto, Hidalgo, Mexico was collected from Monday to Saturday during four weeks in September and October 2019. The residues were daily weighed and separated according to the type of fruit and analyzed for dry matter, crude protein and ash. The design was completely random.

Results: the orange peel predominated, and the volume of residues was constant accumulating 465 kg during the four weeks. The moisture content was from 75 to 94%, depending on the type of fruit. The CP concentration was from 4.33 to 6.95% except for the papaya peel (11.55% CP)

Limitations/Implications: An alternative to avoid landfill deposition of this wastes is to subject it to a silage process and thus reduce negative impacts on the environment, generate valuable products and reduce pressure on natural resources.

Findings/Conclusions: The amount of fruit and vegetable wastes is constant throughout the week, its proportion of dry matter is low, but it can be combined with cereal straw and ensiled to generate valuable products and avoid its deposition in landfills.