The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows
by
, , , ,
Anderson Zanine
1,*, 
Cledson De Sá
1,
Daniele Ferreira
1,
Henrique Parente
1,
Michelle Parente
2,
Edson Mauro Santos
3,
Rosane Rodrigues
1,
Francisco Naysson Santos
1
,
Anny Graycy Lima
1,
Ivo Alexandre Cunha
1,
Francisca Claudia de Sousa
1,
Renata Costa
1,
Danillo Pereira
1,
Paloma Gabriela Gomes
3 and
João Ricardo Dórea
4 1
Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Maranhão, Chapadinha 65500-000, Maranhão, Brazil
2
Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina 64049-550, Piauí, Brazil
3
Department of Animal Science, Federal University of Paraíba, Areia 58051-900, Paraíba, Brazil
4
Department of Animal Science, University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53706, USA
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Agronomy 2023, 13(2), 491; https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020491
Submission received: 1 December 2022
/
Revised: 31 January 2023
/
Accepted: 6 February 2023
/
Published: 8 February 2023
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Agricultural Valorization of Agro-Industrial By-Products: From Waste to Value)
Abstract
:The objective of this study was to evaluate the fermentative characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of a total mixed ration silage containing two babassu by-products, starchy flour and babassu cake. The treatments were distributed in a completely randomised design containing four treatments and five replications. The treatments consisted of corn silage, corn silage based on the standard corn and soybean diet, corn silage with babassu flour, and corn silage with babassu cake. No significant difference was observed in the pH values (p = 0.256) for the studied silages. Higher values for dry matter recovery were observed for the silages of the total diets. The corn silage presented lower lactic acid production (55.15 g/kg DM) and acetic acid (11.54 g/kg DM) in relation to the total ration silages. The inclusion of babassu by-products increased the dry matter (p < 0.001), crude protein (p < 0.001), and total digestible nutrient content (p < 0.001) in the total ration silages. Silage in the form of the total ration containing regional babassu by-products improved the fermentative profile of the silages and the nutritional value of the diets, endowing them with potential for use as a feed alternative for dairy cattle.
1. Introduction
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the main cereals grown in the world, providing products widely used for human consumption, and exhibiting significant socioeconomic value, in addition to its status as the essential raw material for the production of silage to feed dairy cows because of its desirable characteristics for silage processes, such high energy value associated with adequate starch content to promote good fermentation inside the silo [1]. However, corn silage (CS) is more susceptible to aerobic deterioration during fermentation due to the high content of residual substrates after fermentation, which reflects losses in animal supply [2]. Thus, it is necessary to adopt technologies that circumvent this obstacle as quickly as possible, reducing the potential for loss and improving utilisation.
In recent years, total ration silage (TRS) has been successfully developed to provide complete diets year-round and enable wet forages with excessive fermentation and industry by-products used as feed resources [3]. In the TRS production process, forages are ensiled together with energy and protein foods, minerals, vitamins, and additives, which are balanced to meet the nutritional demand of a certain group of animals [3]. The availability of by-products from industry is one of the main factors leading to the creation of total feed silage as animal feed, as well as its great potential as an additive that can control silage fermentation.
In addition to palm trees of the genus Attalea, cultivated throughout America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, babassu fruit (Attalea speciosa) cultivated in the north-northeast region of Brazil, produces coconut whose fruit is used for oil extraction [4]. Mesocarp flour and babassu cake are residues originating from the extraction of almond oil, which are currently discarded, but which show potential for feeding ruminants [5]. In the production process of total ration silages, forages, energy foods, proteins, minerals, vitamins, and/or additives are ensiled together to meet the nutritional demand of a certain group of animals. Through mechanical pressing of babassu grains for oil extraction, the babassu cake is obtain, which may present variation in its composition, mainly regarding the ether extract content. While the babassu flour is obtained from the mechanized process of the mesocarp, this flour can exhibit different granulometry and textures [5].
In the environmental sector, the greatest impact linked to babassu fruit exploitation is waste generation, especially residue from oil extraction, producing a volume of 200 million tonnes per year [6]. In general, its disposal occurs incorrectly, consequently generating an environmental problem that may render the water table unusable [6]. Thus, energy conversion of these babassu residues into animal feed is an alternative to disposal and can be a simple process, in addition to becoming way to mitigate the impact on natural resources.
Zanine et al. [7] observed improvements in chemical composition, digestibility, and fermentation profile when they included babassu by-products in the TRS of sugarcane to meet the dietary requirements of sheep. The authors also reported that babassu by-products showed an increased DM content, promoting a decrease in water activity and causing a decrease in the action of ethanol-producing yeasts. The higher DM also favours heterofermentative bacteria, while guaranteeing the preservation of the ensiled mass, due to the production of antifungal agents, increasing DM recovery (DMR) and aerobic stability (AS).
We believe that an association between babassu by-products and corn preserves the quality of the ensiled material and reduces losses, effluent production, and expenses involved in acquiring ingredients for formulating animal diets. Thus, this research aimed to evaluate the fermentative profile, chemical composition, and in vitro digestibility of the DM of corn silage (CS) containing alternative babassu by-products in the diets of dairy cows.
2. Materials and Methods
2.1. Experimental Location and Conditions
This study was conducted at the Centre for Agricultural and Environmental Sciences of the Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), which is located at km 04 of the BR 222 highway, at 3°43′57.8” S and43°19′07.3” W, Chapadinha City, Maranhão State, Brazil. According to the Köppen classification [8], the region is Aw type; that is, it has a hot tropical climate, with a rainy season from November to March and an average annual rainfall of 1670 mm.
2.2. Treatments and Experimental Design
The chemical composition of the babassu by-products is shown in Table 1.
The TRS contained 60% roughage (CS) and 40% concentrate (Table 1). The concentrate mixture was composed of soybean meal, ground corn, mineral mixture, urea, and babassu cake or babassu mesocarp. These mixtures replaced 50% of the value of ground corn as energy sources in standard silage, (Table 2). The diets (treatments) used were as follows: CS, corn silage (Control); TRSS, CS with corn and soybean meal; TRSF, total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; and TRSC, total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn.
The diets (silages in the form of total mixed ration) were formulated according to NRC [9] guidelines for an average weight of 500 kg, an average DM intake of 14 kg/day, and a daily milk production of 15 kg.
2.3. Preparation and Ensiling
The corn plants were cut 10 cm from the soil and ground with a particle size of 2 cm by a silage machine coupled with a tractor. The corn used was the hybrid (M 274; Priorizi sementes, Palmeiras de Goiás—GO, Brazil). Approximately 97 days after sowing, the grains reached the milky/pasty stage, and the corn plants were harvested. Harvesting was carried out manually. The collected material was processed using a stationary forage harvester (PP-35, Pinheiro Máquinas, Itapira, São Paulo, Brazil). Then, the ingredients were mixed manually, and samples were collected and subjected to chemical composition analyses. The mixture was ensiled in polyethylene silos (capacity: 3.6 L; length, 191.4 mm; height, 156.5 mm; and width, 193.6 mm), equipped with a Bunsen valve for gas release.
To avoid contamination, 1 kg of dehydrated sand, separated from the material by a piece of fabric, was used in each silo. The silos were compacted with the aid of wooden sticks to reach a density of 550 kg/m³ of fresh material; subsequently, they were weighed, sealed with a plastic lid, identified, and wrapped with adhesive tape.
2.4. Fermentative Profile
After the fermentation period (45 days), the silos were weighed again and then opened, and the material resulting from the fermentation process—the silage— was manually removed. The material was homogenized and stored for the evaluation of the chemical composition and fermentation profile of the silage. The samples were stored in plastic bags in a freezer at a temperature of −10°.
The pH values and ammonia nitrogen content as a percentage of total nitrogen (N-NH3/NT, in %) were measured, according to the methods of Bolsen et al. [10] and Nogueira and Souza [11], respectively.
The lactic, acetic, propionic, and butyric acids were measured according to the methods of Siegfried [12], and the fermentation products (AL/FP) were calculated according to the approach of Conaghan [13].
The buffering capacity (BC) was analysed according to the methods of Playne and McDonald [14].
DM losses in silages in the form of gases and effluents were quantified by the weight difference, and the DM recovery (DMR) index was estimated according to the work of Zanine [15].
2.5. Chemical Composition Analysis
Samples of fresh material, before ensiling and after opening the silos, were collected for chemical composition evaluation. These samples were pre-dried in a forced-air ventilation oven (55 °C) for 72 h and were subsequently ground in a Wiley knife mill with a sieve size of 1 mm and stored in plastic jars with lids and identification labels.
Dehydrated samples were submitted for analysis of DM (method 934.01), ash (method 930.05), crude protein (CP; method 920.87), and ether extract (EE; method 920.39) content [16], and the content of neutral detergent fibre (NDF) and acid detergent fibre (ADF) were quantified according to the methods of Van Soest et al. [17].
NDF was corrected for ash and protein (NDFap). For ash correction, we used the NDF residue and incinerated it in an oven (600 °C) for a 4 h period; subsequently, we removed the ash fraction from the NDF content. To eliminate the protein fraction attached to the cell wall, we remove the neutral detergent-insoluble nitrogen (NDIN) or acid detergent-insoluble nitrogen (ADIN) content of the NDF content according to the work of Licitra et al. [18].
Acid detergent lignin (ADL) content (method 973.18) was determined according to AOAC [16]. Hemicellulose (HEM) and cellulose (CEL) were calculated by the difference.
HEM = NDFap − ADFp
CEL = ADFp − ADL
Total carbohydrates (TC) and non-fiber carbohydrates (NFC) were calculated according to the work of Sniffen et al. [19] and Detmann et al. [20], respectively. Water-soluble carbohydrate content was determined according to the method described by Dubois et al. [21] using concentrated sulphuric acid, and total digestible nutrients (TDN) were estimated according to the methods of Van Soest [22].
In vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) was obtained, according to the methods of Tilley and Terry [23].
2.6. Aerobic Stability
Approximately 1 kg of forage was placed in another clean PVC silo, without compaction and without cover, and stored in a room with controlled temperature (25 °C). The internal temperature of the silage exposed to air was monitored for a 120 h period by encapsulated temperature sensors (DS18B20—Maxim Integrated™, DS18B20, San Jose, CA, USA) inter-connected to a specific microcontroller (Atmega2560—Arduino®, Mega 2560, Italy). The beginning of deterioration was considered to be the time when the internal temperature of the silage reached 2 °C above room temperature [24].
2.7. Statistical Analysis
The experiment design was completely randomized, with four treatments and five replicates per treatment. The following statistical model was used:
where Yik = measurement-dependent variable in the experimental unit ‘k’ of the experience silage ‘i’; μ = the general constant; Si = the effect of silage; and εik = random error effect.
Yik= μ +Si + εik
The command PROC GLM in SAS 9.1® [25] software was used. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, and the means were compared by Tukey’s test; p values less than 0.05 were considered significant.
3. Results
3.1. Dynamics of the Fermentation Profile
Evaluating the data of the fermentation profile and silage losses showed significant differences (Table 3) for the buffer capacity (BC, p < 0.001), NH3-N (p < 0.001), gas losses (GL, p < 0.001), effluent losses (EL, p < 0.001) and DMR (p = 0.002) of the variables. However, there was no significant difference in the pH values (p = 0.236) or water-soluble carbohydrates (p = 0.269).
The highest ammonia nitrogen contents (p < 0.001) were observed for the TRSS and TRSC, and the lowest value was observed for the corn silage. Higher losses of gases (p < 0.001) and effluents (p < 0.001) were observed for CS than for TRS. A lower dry matter recovery (p = 0.002) was observed for corn silages.
A significant difference was observed for lactic acid (LA, p < 0.001), acetic acid (AA, p = 0.048), butyric acid (BA, p < 0.001), and the percentage ratio of lactic acid in fermentation products during the fermentation process (AL/FP, p < 0.001) (Table 4).
CS showed a lower production of LA, AA, and AL/FP in relation to TRS. However, CS showed higher butyric fermentation than TRSS or TRSF (p < 0.001). There was no significant difference in propionic acid (PA, p = 0.157) or ethanol (p = 0.346).
A significant difference was observed for aerobic stability (p = 0.044) and maximum temperature at 120 h (p < 0.004).
CS showed lower aerobic stability (75.54) and maximum temperature (30.38), indicating that these silages were less stable, with rapid deterioration (Table 5).
3.2. Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility
Significant differences were observed in the chemical composition of the silages for the variables DM (p < 0.001), crude protein (CP, p < 0.001), ether extract (EE, p < 0.024), neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein (NDFcp, p < 0.001), acid detergent fibre corrected for protein (ADFp, p < 0.001), cellulose (CEL, p < 0.001), acid detergent lignin (ADL, p < 0.001), total carbohydrates (TC, p < 0.001), total digestible nutrients (TDN, p < 0.001), and in vitro digestibility of DM (IVDMD, p < 0.009) (Table 6). The TRS presented higher averages for DM, CP, and IVDMD than did the CS. For NDFcp, ADFp, and TC, the highest values were observed for CS.
4. Discussion
4.1. Dynamics of the Fermentation Profile
The silages presented pH values within the range considered ideal (between 3.8 and 4.2), as recommended by McDonald et al. [1] for CS. These values indicate quality fermentation, showing that there were significant amounts of soluble carbohydrates among the TRS. Corn has elevated levels of soluble carbohydrates, the main substrate for silage fermentation, which allows the rapid dominance of lactic acid-producing bacteria, causing a drop in pH. These values corroborate those reported by Zanine et al. [2], who used sugarcane as a forage in TRS, with the addition of babassu by-products.
Therefore, to obtain good silage, the DM content is seen as a fundamental element, since it directly affects the fermentation process, influencing the types of organic acids formed. According to Monteiro et al. [26], the values shown as ideal are around 28 to 34%; in this way, we identified that the TRS was within the ideal range. Gusmão et al. [27] found a similar effect when evaluating total feed silages containing elephant grass as a forage source, where an increase in DM content was observed in relation to the control treatment.
The indices presented for the interaction between lactic acid and the fermentation profile can be explained by the change in the silage fermentation profile, mainly due to its DM content below 25%.
TRSS and TRSC total feed silages showed the highest N-NH3 means (9.14 and 8.99, respectively). The increase in these levels in TRS indicates a proteolysis process due to the greater supply of crude protein. Proteolysis is usually the result of the activities of enterobacteria and bacteria of the genus Clostridium, which can produce substances harmful to animal health and are responsible for large losses [1]. However, these results indicate a good fermentation profile because the silages evaluated in the present study showed values within those required by the quality standards in order to be considered good silage (8 to 11% of N-NH3), according to Henderson [28].
The highest losses from gases and effluents were obtained by CS. This is probably due to the lower DM content of CS at the time of ensiling (Table 3). According to Rabelo et al. [29], the silages that presented a higher moisture value were better compacted and had a greater disruption of the cellular structures of the plants, which resulted in greater losses of their contents and thus, greater nutrient losses and reduced nutritional values, justifying the greater production of butyric acid in CS.
The type of fermentation that occurs in silages is directly related to gas losses when homofermentative bacteria use glucose as a substrate for lactate production; thus, there is a lower gas loss, according to McDonald [1] and consequently, greater energy use. Thus, the inclusion of these ingredients reduced the losses of gases and effluents in the TRS, attributed to the adequate fermentation profile as an increase in the DM content.
Rezende et al. [30] reported a 21 g/kg reduction in effluent losses with the addition of 15 g/kg babassu meal to sugarcane silage. Zanine et al. [15] highlighted a reduction of 1.26 g/kg in effluents from Pennisetum purpureum silage with the addition of cassava chips. In the present study, the inclusion of babassu by-products was satisfactory, as it reduced the humidity inside the silo and provided less leaching of nutrients along with the effluents. An increase in DM content in silage is one of the main reasons for reducing effluent production and DM losses. The high capacity of this additive to absorb moisture and the high amount of soluble carbohydrates stimulates the rapid growth of LAB, resulting in rapid pH reduction. Furthermore, Zanine et al. [7] reported that babassu reduced water activity and increased osmotic pressure in silage, making the environment less favourable for the growth of undesirable microorganisms.
Observing the chemical composition of silage, the contents of ashes and organic matter (OM) were close to the initial values, indicating the quality of the ensiled materials accumulated through a good sealing process for the silos. Restelatto et al. [31], when working with CS in a total mixture using microbial additives, similar to that used in this work, did not find any variations in ash and OM.
4.2. Chemical Composition and In Vitro Digestibility
The inclusion of concentrates altered the crude protein content of the silages (Table 6). CS had a CP content of 8.03%, similar to that found by Oliveira (8.0%) [32] when working with CS at the milky stage. For treatments that received babassu by-products, the levels remained at 16% CP, meeting the nutritional requirements of lactating dairy cows, according to NRC [9]. Thus, the nutritional contents of the silage were preserved, indicating the quality of fermentation and the lower protein breakdown and losses.
CS exhibited superior averages for NDFcp, both in the ensiled material and in the silage. The inclusion of babassu by-products in TRS reduced these contents, since they had a lower NDF content (66% NDF for babassu flour and 63.5% NDF for babassu cake) compared to grass (65.7% NDF). Similar results were reported by Santos et al. [6] and Zanine et al. [7].
According to Van Soest [33], NDF content is directly related to DM digestibility and consequently, to DM intake by animals. Foods that have a high concentration of indigestible fibre reduce the rate of passage of digesta through the rumen, increasing the time that food remains in the digestive tract and reducing the DM intake, which compromises the performance and production of animals.
In this study, differences were observed in the NDF content before and after ensiling (Table 3 and Table 6), which is explained by the variations in biochemical processes that occurred in the silages. The NDF from CS increased after ensiling, which was also observed by Neumann et al. [34]. In the TRS silages, the opposite behaviour was observed; that is, after ensiling, the NDF content was lower than in the fresh material, indicating better nutrient digestibility.
For the variable of ether extract (EE), CS (26.9 g/kg DM) only differed from that of TRSF (20.1 g/kg DM), an effect attributed to the ingredients used. Valadares Filho et al. [35], when working with babassu cake, observed EE values between 5.51 and 4.23%.
In regards to total carbohydrates, the CS presented a higher average in relation to the TRS, an effect possibly linked to a higher NDFcp concentration and low crude protein content compared to TRS. However, in Table 5, the crude protein content of the TRS was, on average, twice as high as that in CS, thus contributing to these differences between the silages. In an animal diet, there is a balance between NDF and NFC for good efficiency and development of ruminal microorganisms because the high availability of NFC can cause a physiological imbalance in ruminants, such as sudden changes in ruminal pH [36].
TDN remained low in CS in relation to TRS, which can be explained by the inclusion of concentrates in the TRS, which reduced the levels of NDF. According to Cabral et al. [37], the NDF content was inversely proportional to that of NFC and TDN; thus, when evaluating the TRS, an increase in the levels of TDN was observed. In this way, it can be inferred that the addition of concentrates in SRT promotes greater availability of nutrients for ruminal microorganisms and, consequently, the ruminants.
The lower TDN content and higher lignin (ADL) content from CS provided lower in vitro digestibility of DM.
TRS showed a longer stability than did the CS. Prolonged aerobic stability in TRS has been reported in other studies [38]. In general, acetic acid produced through the metabolism of heterofermentative lactic acid bacteria is one of the main factors responsible for greater aerobic stability in silages [39]. When it is present in satisfactory amounts, these compounds can inhibit the growth of yeasts, microorganisms that initiate the deterioration process [40]. Thus, the acetic acid concentration found in this study was similar among all the TRSs, and the presence of other undissociated acids may have contributed to the greater stability of TRS. However, there is a deficit in the literature with regards to corn silages with the addition of babassu by-products associated with the fermentation profile. Studies must be carried out to explore the potential of these by-products in order to add value to the understanding of their use in the composition of animal diets.
5. Conclusions
The silages in the form of a total ration containing babassu by-products improved the fermentative profile of the silages and the nutritional value of the diets, endowing them with potential for use as a feed alternative for dairy cattle.
Author Contributions
Conceptualisation A.Z., C.D.S. and E.M.S.; methodology, A.Z. and C.D.S.; software, J.R.D.; validation, D.F., A.Z., H.P., M.P. and E.M.S.; formal analysis, A.Z., A.G.L., F.N.S., D.P. and I.A.C.; investigation, C.D.S., A.Z., D.F., F.C.d.S., R.C. and P.G.G.; resources, A.Z. and E.M.S.; data curation, C.D.S. and A.Z.; writing—original draft preparation, A.Z., C.D.S., A.Z. and E.M.S.; writing—review and editing, H.P., M.P., A.G.L., F.N.S. and J.R.D.; visualisation A.Z., C.D.S., E.M.S., H.P., M.P., A.G.L., R.R., F.N.S., D.P. and J.R.D.; supervision, A.Z.; project administration, A.Z., D.F. and E.M.S.; funding acquisition, A.Z., D.F. and E.M.S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding
This research was funded by the Coordination for the Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES-Brazil—Finance Code 001) and the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq-Brazil), in the form of a fellowship grant, and by the Maranhão State Research Foundation (FAPEMA-Brazil).
Institutional Review Board Statement
Not applicable.
Informed Consent Statement
Not applicable.
Data Availability Statement
Not Applicable.
Conflicts of Interest
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Table 1.
Chemical composition of babassu by-products.
| Item, %DM | Babassu Flour | Babassu Cake |
|---|---|---|
| Dry matter | 87.4 | 88.9 |
| Ash | 3.8 | 4.1 |
| Crude protein | 5.2 | 15.5 |
| Ether extract | 24.2 | 11.8 |
| Neutral detergent fibreap | 66.0 | 63.5 |
| Acid detergent fibreap | 54.7 | 53.7 |
| Hemicellulose | 11.2 | 9.8 |
| Cellulose | 37.9 | 43.3 |
| Acid detergent lignin | 16.8 | 10.3 |
| Total carbohydrates | 67.4 | 68.4 |
| Non-fibre carbohydrate | 1.3 | 4.9 |
Neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein; acid detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein.
Table 2.
Chemical composition of diets at the time of ensiling.
| Item, g/kg DM | Silages | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 1 | TRSS 2 | TRSF 3 | TRSC 4 | |
| Ground corn | 0.0 | 200 | 100 | 100 |
| Soybean meal | 0.0 | 182 | 182 | 185 |
| Babassu cake | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100 |
| Babassu flour | 0.0 | 0.0 | 100 | 0.0 |
| Mineral mixture | 0.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 | 15.0 |
| Urea | 0.0 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 0.0 |
| Corn silage | 1000 | 600 | 600 | 600 |
| Chemical Composition | ||||
| Dry matter (g/kg fresh) | 207.30 | 361.20 | 349.50 | 386.90 |
| Ash | 42.40 | 36.90 | 41.60 | 47.40 |
| Organic matter | 957.60 | 900.90 | 903.60 | 898.80 |
| Crude protein | 74.20 | 137.00 | 115.00 | 128.80 |
| Ether extract | 27.70 | 25.00 | 25.60 | 24.90 |
| Neutral detergent fibre | 656.60 | 597.50 | 543.60 | 524.30 |
| Acid detergent fibre | 485.90 | 334.10 | 377.10 | 376.60 |
| Hemicellulose | 170.70 | 263.40 | 166.50 | 147.70 |
| Water-soluble carbohydrates | 116.80 | 105.10 | 96.40 | 98.40 |
1 CS: corn silage (Control); 2 TRSS: corn silage with corn and soybean meal; 3 TRSF: total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; 4 TRSC: total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn.
Table 3.
Fermentative characteristics, losses, and dry matter recovery during the fermentation process in corn silages with the addition of alternative by-products for dairy cows.
Table 3.
Fermentative characteristics, losses, and dry matter recovery during the fermentation process in corn silages with the addition of alternative by-products for dairy cows.
| Item | Silages | SEM | p-value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 1 | TRSS 2 | TRSF 3 | TRSC 4 | |||
| pH | 3.92 | 3.98 | 3.96 | 3.92 | 0.502 | 0.236 |
| Water-soluble carbohydrates (g/kg DM) | 100.5 | 94.8 | 90.1 | 83.0 | 0.316 | 0.269 |
| Buffer capacity (E. mgNaOH) | 0.06 a | 0.04 b | 0.04 b | 0.04 b | 0.003 | <0.001 |
| NH3-N (% N total) | 4.77 c | 9.14 a | 7.36 b | 8.99 a | 0.442 | <0.001 |
| Gas losses (%DM) | 0.10 a | 0.047 b | 0.059 b | 0.054 b | 0.006 | <0.001 |
| Effluent losses (kg/ton.) | 0.40 a | 0.082 b | 0.058 b | 0.039 b | 0.036 | <0.001 |
| Dry matter recovery (%DM) | 86.92 b | 90.15 ab | 93.33 a | 94.64 a | 0.976 | 0.002 |
1 CS: corn silage (Control); 2 TRSS: corn silage with corn and soybean meal; 3 TRSF: total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; 4 TRSC: total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn. LA:FP = percentage of lactic acid in fermentation products (FP = lactic acid + acetic acid + butyric acid + ethanol), with the percentage of lactic acid as the end product of fermentation. SEM: standard error of the mean. Different lowercase letters within a column indicate significant differences between values, according to one-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 4.
Organic acid content (g/kg DM) and percentage ratio of lactic acid in fermentation products during the fermentation process in corn silage with the addition of alternative by-products for dairy cows.
Table 4.
Organic acid content (g/kg DM) and percentage ratio of lactic acid in fermentation products during the fermentation process in corn silage with the addition of alternative by-products for dairy cows.
| Item | Silages | SEM | p-value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 1 | TRSS 2 | TRSF 3 | TRSC 4 | |||
| Lactic acid (g/kg DM) | 55.15 b | 61.89 a | 60.78 a | 61.05 a | 0.125 | <0.001 |
| Acetic acid (g/kg DM) | 11.54 b | 13.47 a | 13.01 a | 13.78 a | 0.245 | 0.048 |
| Butyric acid (g/kg DM) | 13.82 a | 12.87 b | 12.41 b | 13.07 ab | 0.047 | <0.001 |
| Propionic acid (g/kg DM) | 0.44 | 0.62 | 0.54 | 0.58 | 0.427 | 0.157 |
| Ethanol (g/kg DM) | 13.95 | 12.55 | 12.71 | 12.99 | 0.147 | 0.346 |
| AL/FP (%) 1 | 58.11 b | 61.03 a | 61.11 a | 60.16 a | 0.054 | <0.001 |
1 CS: corn silage (Control); 2 TRSS: corn silage with corn and soybean meal; 3 TRSF: total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; 4 TRSC: total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn. LA:FP = percentage of lactic acid in fermentation products (FP = lactic acid + acetic acid + butyric acid + ethanol), with the percentage of lactic acid as the end product of fermentation. SEM: standard error of the mean. Different lowercase letters within a column indicate significant differences between values, according to one-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 5.
Values of maximum temperature and aerobic stability in total ration silages with babassu by-products.
Table 5.
Values of maximum temperature and aerobic stability in total ration silages with babassu by-products.
| Item | Silages | SEM | p-value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 1 | TRSS 2 | TRSF 3 | TRSC 4 | |||
| Aerobic stability (hours) | 75.54 b | 86.31 a | 89.88 a | 88.68 a | 2.34 | 0.044 |
| Max temperature in 120 h (°C) | 30.38 a | 27.63 b | 29.63 b | 29.63 b | 0.32 | <0.004 |
| Hours/Max temperature | 107.21 a | 93.85 b | 83.67 b | 100.66 b | 3.53 | 0.080 |
1 CS: corn silage (Control); 2 TRSS: corn silage with corn and soybean meal; 3 TRSF: total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; 4 TRSC: total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn. SEM: standard error of the mean. Different lowercase letters within a column indicate significant differences between values, according to one-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05).
Table 6.
Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of dry matter of total ration silages with babassu by-products.
Table 6.
Chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of dry matter of total ration silages with babassu by-products.
| Item (g/kg DM) | Treatments | SEM | p-value | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| CS 1 | TRSS 2 | TRSF 3 | TRSC 4 | |||
| Dry matter (g/kg fresh forage) | 192.5 b | 281.6 a | 295.3 a | 284.1 a | 0.96 | <0.001 |
| Ash | 55.9 | 50.6 | 53.8 | 52.4 | 0.13 | 0.573 |
| Organic matter | 944 | 949.4 | 946.2 | 947.6 | 0.13 | 0.573 |
| Crude protein | 80.3 b | 154.5 a | 161.1 a | 166.8 a | 0.84 | <0.001 |
| Ether extract | 26.9 a | 22.9 ab | 20.1 b | 24.5 ab | 0.09 | <0.024 |
| Neutral detergent fibre corrected for ash and protein | 659 a | 476.2 c | 498.0 bc | 520.6 b | 1.71 | <0.001 |
| Acid detergent fibre corrected for protein | 445.2 a | 284.5 c | 309.3 bc | 349.7 b | 1.48 | <0.001 |
| Cellulose | 350.8 a | 257.4 bc | 239.1 c | 305.8 ab | 1.16 | <0.001 |
| Hemicellulose | 213.8 | 191.7 | 188.7 | 170.9 | 0.80 | 0.329 |
| Acid detergent lignin | 94.4 a | 27.0 b | 70.2 a | 43.9 b | 0.65 | <0.001 |
| Total carbohydrates | 834 a | 772.9 b | 764.8 b | 755.6 b | 0.86 | <0.001 |
| Non-fibre carbohydrate | 174.9 | 261.7 | 199.5 | 234.2 | 1.76 | 0.343 |
| Total digestible nutrients | 743.5 c | 866.6 a | 813.1 b | 846.1 a | 1.23 | <0.001 |
| In-vitro digestibility of DM | 589.70 b | 680.68 a | 675.25 a | 677.56 a | 3.27 | <0.009 |
1 CS: corn silage (Control); 2 TRSS: corn silage with corn and soybean meal; 3 TRSF: total feed silage with babassu mesocarp flour replacing 50% of the ground corn; 4 TRSC: total feed silage with babassu cake replacing 50% of the ground corn. SEM: standard error of the mean. Different lowercase letters within a column indicate significant differences between values, according to one-way analysis of variance (p ≤ 0.05).
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Zanine, A.; De Sá, C.; Ferreira, D.; Parente, H.; Parente, M.; Santos, E.M.; Rodrigues, R.; Santos, F.N.; Lima, A.G.; Cunha, I.A.; et al. The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows. Agronomy 2023, 13, 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020491
AMA Style
Zanine A, De Sá C, Ferreira D, Parente H, Parente M, Santos EM, Rodrigues R, Santos FN, Lima AG, Cunha IA, et al. The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows. Agronomy. 2023; 13(2):491. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020491
Chicago/Turabian StyleZanine, Anderson, Cledson De Sá, Daniele Ferreira, Henrique Parente, Michelle Parente, Edson Mauro Santos, Rosane Rodrigues, Francisco Naysson Santos, Anny Graycy Lima, Ivo Alexandre Cunha, and et al. 2023. "The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows" Agronomy 13, no. 2: 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020491
APA StyleZanine, A., De Sá, C., Ferreira, D., Parente, H., Parente, M., Santos, E. M., Rodrigues, R., Santos, F. N., Lima, A. G., Cunha, I. A., de Sousa, F. C., Costa, R., Pereira, D., Gomes, P. G., & Dórea, J. R. (2023). The Effect of Babassu Industry By-Products as an Alternative Feed for Dairy Cows. Agronomy, 13(2), 491. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy13020491
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