Nutrient content and in vitro degradability of palm kernel meal produced in the Chiapas state, Mexico as feed for ruminants

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this research was to determine the nutritional content of palm kernel meal (HP) produced in the state of Chiapas, Mexico, as feed for ruminants.

Design/methodology/approach: The content of dry matter (DM), total protein (TP), ether extract (EE), ash, neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (FDA), amino acids, long chain fatty acids (LCFA), minerals, polyphenols and the in vitro degradability of MS (DIDM), NDF (DINDF) and FAD (DIADF) was determined.

Results: The contents were: DM 92.23%, PC 10.56%, EE 7.2%. ashes 3.09%, FDN 76.56% and FDA 57.20%. The HP had a low concentration of lysine (0.3%), methionine (0.228%) and tryptophan (0.095%) and high contents of lauric acid (50.49%), palmitic (10.92%), stearic acid (19.725%). ), oleic (13.56%), copper (23.3 ppm), iron (230.5 ppm), zinc (78.47 ppm) and total phenols (7.8 mg/g); although the DIDM (46.02), DINDF (29.91) and DIADF (27.61), were low.

Findings/conclusions: HP as a by-product of the oil agroindustry offers some nutritional characteristics to be used as feed for ruminants, but it is recommended to carry out a chemical analysis of this by-product before including it in balanced diets to have an adequate balance of nutrients.