High quality cassava peel fine mash as energy source for growing pigs: effect on growth performance, cost of production and blood parameters

A O K Adesehinwa, A Samireddypalle¹, A A Fatufe², E Ajayi², B Boladuro and I Okike¹

Livestock Improvement Programme, Institute of Agricultural Research and Training, Obafemi Awolowo University, Moor Plantation, Ibadan. Nigeria.
aokadesehinwa@yahoo.com
¹ International Livestock Research Institute, IITA, Oyo Road, Ibadan, Nigeria.
² Department of Animal Sciences, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Nigeria.

Abstract

Forty five growing pigs with an average initial weight of 31.5 ± 0.36 kg were randomly assigned to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design with three replicates per treatment and three animals in each replicate. A growth trial of 56 days was carried out to determine the effect of partial replacement of maize with graded levels of high quality cassava peel (HQCP) mash on growth performance, cost analysis, haematological and serum biochemical responses of growing pigs. Control diet CP-1 had 40% of maize, while the dietary treatments CP-2, CP-3, CP-4 and CP-5 had 7.5, 15, 22.5 and 30% of HQCP corresponding to replacement of maize by 0, 19, 38, 56 and 75% respectively.

There was no significant difference (P>0.05) in feed intake, daily weight gain and feed conversion ratio among the treatments. The final body weight ranged from 51.4 to 54.6kg, while daily feed intake ranged from 1.85 to 2.03kg. The feed cost per kg of the diet decreased as the level of HQCP in the diet increased and there was no significant difference in the feed cost per kg weight gain among the treatments. The highest feed cost per kg weight gain of N377 was recorded in CP-4, while the lowest value of N322 was recorded in CP-3. Barring HDL-cholesterol and superoxide dismutase (SOD), there were significant differences (P<0.05) in the haematological and serum biochemical parameters among treatments, but all the values were within the normal range for healthy pigs. Thus, HQCP fine mash can effectively replace 75% of the maize in the diet of growing pigs with approximately 4% reduction in cost per kg weight gain and with no adverse effect on the growth performance, serum biochemical and haematological indices. Implications of the present findings are that processed HQCP fine mash can replace 75% of the maize in growing pigs’ diet and thus spare maize - a high value commodity with potential use in food, industrial and feed for poultry sector.

Keywords: alternative feedstuff, cost analysis, maize

Introduction

Nigeria is the world largest producer of cassava (Manihot esculenta), cultivated in two thirds of her states mainly in the southern part of the country. About 90% of the total production is used for human consumption and processing of cassava generates about 14 million tonnes of by-products, comprising of peels, stumps, woody and under sized tubers currently disposed off as waste (Okike et al 2015). Several researchers have confirmed the suitability of cassava and its by-product for feeding livestock and the potential of cassava peels as a good substitute for maize for all classes of pig (Akinfala and Tewe 2001; Fatufe et al 2007; Adesehinwa et al 2008; Akinola et al 2013). FAO (2001) estimated that about 250-300kg of cassava peel is produced per ton of fresh cassava root and with the current increase in production of cassava in Nigeria, substantial amount of processing waste would be generated around cassava processing sites leading to pollution and contributing to the problem of waste management.

Some of the existing processing method for cassava peel include; soaking, boiling/cooking, fermentation, ensiling and drying. Of all these processing methods, drying has been found to be more effective with the only setback that, it takes approximately 3 to 5 days for the peels to properly dry, hence it is more feasible and effective during the dry season of the year (Adesehinwa et al 2011). Tewe and Egbunike (1992) suggested the need for proper technology to produce cassava products of guaranteed quality that will meet the nutritional needs of the fast growing monogastric livestock. Unlike other roots and tubers, cassava is a highly perishable commodity and it has to be processed within 48 hours of harvesting, because the high moisture and starch levels of cassava by-products predisposes it to rapid spoilage.

The recent technology of innovative processing of cassava peels by grating, pressing, sieving and drying of cassava peels developed by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI 2015) to produce High Quality Cassava Peel (HQCP) fine mash has reduced the drying time drastically from 3 to 5 days to about 6 hours, resulting in improvement of the product, in terms of quality and quantity (Okike et al 2015). This processing when adopted would ensure greater utilization of cassava waste as livestock feed. Fresh cassava peels contain high amount of cyanogenic glycosides, phytates (up to 1% DM) resulting in low phosphorus availability in non-ruminants and they spoil very quickly as result of its high moisture content (Ubalua 2007; Unigwe et al 2014). Some of the factor that limit the use of cassava by-product in pig ration include, its low crude protein content, poor amino acid profile, high fibre and high level of hydrocyanic acid (HCN) (Balogun and Bawa 1997). The low protein content and poor amino acid profile issues can be addressed by appropriate supplementation with protein rich sources and amino acids. High levels of HCN in cassava peel based products are reduced substantially through the innovative processing where grating, dewatering, fermenting and sun drying results in reduction of HCN levels below the permissible levels of 100 ppm (Okike et al 2015). Cereal production particularly maize in the developing country is not sufficient to cater to the growing demand of food, feed and industrial uses. Identifying alternate feed resources as a substitute for maize would reduce feed costs and spare maize for food, industrial uses and for feeding poultry, where maize is indispensable. This study therefore aims to evaluate the effect of graded levels of high quality cassava peel fine mash as a replacement for maize on the growth performance, cost of production, haematological and serum biochemical indices of growing pigs.

Materials and methods

Experimental Location and Ingredients

The experiment that lasted for eight weeks was carried out at the AK Farms situated at Eleyele, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. High Quality Cassava Peel fine mash was supplied by International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), hosted by IITA, Oyo road Ibadan and other feed ingredient were purchased from a commercial feed mill at Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria.

Experimental Animals,design and diet

45 growing cross bred (Largewhite × Landrace) pigs of average initial live weight of 31.5±0.36kg were used for the study. Animals were randomized completely into five dietary treatments and each treatment was replicated three times and housed in groups of 3 (same sex) based on body weight in a concrete floor pen. Diet 1(control) contained 40% maize as the major source of energy without any HQCP, while in diets 2-5, HQCP was used to replace maize in an increasing order. Diet 2 had 32.5% maize and 7.5% HQCP; Diet 3 had 25% maize and 15% HQCP; Diet 4 had 17.5% maize and 22.5% HQCP and, Diet 5 had 10% maize and 30% HQCP corresponding to replacement of maize by 19, 38,56 and 75% respectively. All the diets contained the same amounts of the other ingredients. Pigs were allowed ad libitum access to the diets and water served in concrete feeding and concrete watering troughs. The diets were subjected to proximate analysis. Ingredient and chemical composition of the diets are presented in table 1.

Grower premix supplied the following per kg diet: vitamin A 10,000,000 IU; vitamin D 32,000,000 IU; vitamin E 8,000 IU; vitamin K 2,000 mg; vitamin B1 2,000 mg; vitamin B2 5,500 mg; vitamin B6 1,200 mg; vitamin B12 12 mg; biotin 30 mg; folic acid 600 mg; niacin 10,000 mg; pantothenic acid 7,000 mg; Choline chloride 500,000 mg; vitamin C 10,000 mg; iron 60,000 mg; Mn 80,000 mg; Cu 800 mg; Zn 50,000 mg; iodine 2,000 mg; cobalt 450 mg; selenium 100 mg; Mg 100,000 mg; anti-oxidant 6,000 mg

Haematology and serology evaluation

Blood was collected from 6 pigs (3 male and 3 female) per treatment at the end of the feeding trial. The bleeding was done in the morning before feeding and 10 ml of blood was collected through jugular vein puncture into two sample bottles using a sterilized needle and syringe. One sample was used for serum analysis and the other sample was used for analysis of haematological parameters. The blood sample used for haematological parameters was collected in a sample bottles with anti-coagulant.

Data and cost Analysis

Data was subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) appropriate for randomized block design using the general linear model procedures of SAS. Statistical significance was assessed at P < 0.05 (95% confidence). The cost per kg of the diet was calculated by multiplying the percentage composition of the feedstuffs with the prevailing price per kg of each feedstuff and summing all. Total feed intake and cost per kg of feed was used to calculate the total feed cost. Feed cost per kg weight gain was calculated using the FCR and cost per kg of diet.

Results and discussion

The performance of the experimental pigs fed graded levels of high quality cassava peel fine mash as a replacement for maize is presented in table 2. High quality cassava peel fine mash had 3.2% crude protein, 8.3% crude fibre, 7.7% ash, 1.2% ether extract and 79.6% nitrogen free extract. The highest final body weight (54.56 kg) was recorded in CP-1, which is the maize-based control diet and the least value (51.44kg) was recorded in CP-5. Growing pigs on CP-1 (maize based diet) consumed (P<0.05) higher quantity of feed than those fed HQCP based diets except pigs on treatment 4, that consumed the highest quantity of feed. This is not in conformity with the findings of Akinola et al (2013), who reported no significant effect in feed intake with increased level of cassava peel meal in the diet of growing pig. Within the HQCP diets, pigs on treatment 3 consumed the least feed, while those on treatment 4 had the highest feed intake. There was no significant difference in the final body weight, daily weight gain, average daily feed intake and feed conversion ratio. Best feed conversion ratio was recorded in CP-3 implying that the least amount of feed was required to gain 1 kg of weight, at the HQCP inclusion level of 15% of diet. The crude fibre (CF) content of the diets were within the level of 15%, above which feed intake and growth rate are depressed (Stahly 1984). Feeding growing pigs with HQCP as a replacement for maize had beneficial effect on overall performance and can replace up to 75% of maize in growing pig diet.

Economics of production

Economics of production of growing pig fed on high quality cassava peel fine mash as a replacement for maize is presented in Table 3. Cost of feed (₦/Kg), total feed intake (kg), average, daily feed intake (kg), total cost of feeding (₦), average cost of feed per day (₦) and feed/gain ratio were considered. The control diet gave significantly (P<0.05) higher total feed cost and average cost of feeding per day than the HQCP diets due to the higher cost per kg of maize against HQCP (₦60 versus ₦25). Cost benefit ratio analysis showed that there was reduction in the cost of production (cost/kg weight gain) with increase in inclusion level of HQCP up to 15 % of diets. Similar findings were reported by Adesehinwa et al (2011), who reported decrease in cost per kg weight gain as a result of feeding growing pigs with enzyme supplemented cassava peels based diet.

Effect on haematological parameters

The effect of graded levels of high quality cassava peel fine mash as a replacement for maize on haematological parameters of growing pigs is presented in table 4. There was significant difference (P<0.05) in White blood cell, neutrophils, eosinophils, monocytes, lymphocytes across all the dietary treatments. Total WBC and neutrophil were significantly higher in CP-1 than other treatments, while eosinophil counts were significantly higher in CP-5 and animals on CP-4 recorded the highest monocyte count. All the values for all the haematological parameters are within the physiological normal range for healthy growing pig (Merck Manual 2012) implying that inclusion of HQCP in the diets did not show any adverse effect during the experimental period.

Effect on Serum Biochemical Parameters

The results of serum biochemical parameters are summarized in table 5. All the Serum parameters measured were significantly (p< 0.05) different and most of which were within the normal range for healthy growing pigs (Merck Manual 2012). Alanine transaminase (ALP) values for maize based diets were higher than that of the HQCP incorporated diets. The blood urea concentration significantly (P<0.05) differed among the treatments with lowest numerical value in CP-4 (21.17mg/dl) and the highest in CP-1 ((32.57mg/dl control). This trend could suggest that there was no kidney damage due to HCN from HQCP or other anti-nutrients in the diets, since the values were lower in HQCP incorporated diets. Urea is the main nitrogenous end product arising from the catabolism of amino acids that are not used for biosynthesis in mammals (Adesehinwa 2004). The values for the creatinine and thiocyanate are within the normal range reported in the Merck manual for the pigs.

Conclusion

• It can be concluded that, high quality cassava peel mash can be included up to 30% of the diets in growing pigs replacing maize to an extent of 75% without any adverse effect on growth, feed conversion ratio and blood parameters.
  
  
• It is recommended that farmers can use HQCP as a good energy substitute to partly replace maize grains in growing pig diet. Further studies should be carried on the response of weaner and grower pigs and other livestock species to optimise the inclusion levels of HQCP for economising the feeding cost.

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Received 18 August 2016; Accepted 18 September 2016; Published 1 November 2016

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