Evaluation of Nutritive Value of Pleurotus tuber-regium Biodegraded Maize Cob using in Vitro Gas Production and Fermentation Characteristics

This study investigated the nutritive value of Pleurotus tuber-regium biodegraded maize cob using in vitro gas production and fermentation characteristics. Pleurotus tuber-regium degraded maize cob (PTRMC) was used to formulate four experimental diets (D1, D2, D3, and D4) at 0%, 15%, 30%, and 45% inclusion levels in a completely randomized design. The chemical, mineral, and phytochemical compositions of the diets were analyzed. To determine the in vitro gas generation and fermentation characteristics of the diets, they were incubated for 24 hours (0, 3, 6, 9,... to 24 h) in three replicates, with incubations repeated twice to make six replicates per treatment. The results of the study revealed that increasing PTRMC levels in the diets significantly (p<0.05) improved the feed's nutritional profile. Crude protein content significantly (p<0.05) increased with an increase in PTRMC, with D3 and D4 being significantly (p<0.05) higher than D1 and D2. Conversely, neutral detergent fibre and acid detergent fibre decreased (p<0.05) significantly with an increase PTRMC levels in the diets. Mineral content significantly (p<0.05) improved with increasing PTRMC. The phytochemical contents were observed to significantly (p<0.05) decrease with an increase in PTRMC in the diets. The in vitro digestibility results of diets D3 and D4 were significantly (p<0.05) improved, and the methane production was reduced (p<0.05) significantly with the increase in PTRMC in the diets. In vitro gas production, short-chain fatty acids, organic matter digestibility, and in vitro dry matter digestibility increased (p<0.05) significantly with higher PTRMC levels in the diets, suggesting enhanced rumen fermentation and energy availability. Overall, this study highlights the potential of PTRMC as alternative feedstuff to improve ruminant animal feed quality and digestibility.