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Global Research Journal of Microbiology Vol.2(1) pp.067 –075 May 2012.
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=grjm
Copyright ©2012 Global Research Journals
Full length Research.
Performance and carcass characteristics of broiler chickens fed on fungal mixed-culture (Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum) fermented mango kernel cake.
*Kayode, R.M.O.a , Sani, A.b, Apata, D. F.c, Joseph, J. K. a, Annongu, A. A. c,
Kolawole, O. M.,b Awe, S.b ,Obalowu, M. A.a and Arekemase, M.A. b
a Division of Microbial Biotechnology, Department of Home Economics and Food Science, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515, Ilorin, Nigeria.
b Department of Microbiology, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria.
c Department of Animal Production, University of Ilorin, P.M.B 1515 Ilorin, Nigeria.
* Correspondence author. E-mail; kayodermosnr@yahoo.com ,Tel: +234-08035850545.
Accepted 17th April 2012
Abstract
Mango Kernel Cake (MKC) was fermented using a mixed-culture of Aspergillus niger and Penicillium chrysogenum for 168 hrs. The MKC was autoclaved to terminate the fermentation processes and air dried before use at graded levels in broiler diets. Six diets were formulated as follows: Diet A had 0% MKC (control) while diets B, C, D, E and F were mixed-culture fermented MKC replacing maize at 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% respectively. Decrease in weight gain and feed intake of the birds with increase in fermented MKC was significant (p < 0.05). The weight of birds fed on diet B was higher than others, but not statistically different (p < 0.05) from the control at the starter phase. Feed intake and weight gain of the birds fed on diets A, B, and C were higher (p < 0.05) at the end of the 4th week (starter phase). While, at the 8th week (finisher phase), birds fed on diets A and B weighed higher (p < 0.05) than the birds fed on diets C and D. The weight gain of birds fed on diet F was lower (p < 0.05) than that obtained for the other treatments. Feed conversion ratio ranged from 2.45 (diet A) to 3.82 (diet F) during the starter phase and between 2.36 (diet A) and 3.79 (diet F) at the finisher phase. The performance of the birds was better at the finisher phase than at the starter phase. There was a 4.16% mortality among birds fed on diet F. Nutrient retention decreased (p < 0.05) with increase in fermented MKC and no significant difference (p < 0.05) was observed in percentage carcass parameters. Most of the carcass parameters decreased progressively with increase in MKC. Up to 60% of A. niger and P. chrysogenum fermented MKC could be used to replace maize in broilers diet without deleterious effect.
Key words: mixed-culture fermentation, performance, nutrient retention, carcass characteristics.