Effect of Differently Processed Cassava Peel-leaf Blend on Growth Performance, Carcass Yield and Ileal Microflora of Growing Pigs

Background and Objective: The cost of feedstuff like maize and other conventional energy sources have increased due to high competitive demand which necessitated the search into alternative feedstuff like cassava by-products (peel and leaf). However, their nutrient availability is hampered by antinutritional factors and constituent fibre. Therefore this study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of differently processed Cassava Peel-Leaf Blend (CPLB) on growth performance, carcass yield and ileal microflora of growing pigs. Materials and Methods: CPLB (Cassava peel: Cassava leaf, 5:1) was included in pigs diet in a feeding trial for 16 weeks. The CPLB replaced maize at 100%. About 24 pigs of the mean weight range (20-22 kg) were assigned on a weight equalization basis to four dietary treatments having six replicates with one pig per replicate. A standard corn soya-based diet (control), Unfermented CPLB (UCPLB), water fermented CPLB (WCPLB) and microbial fermented CPLB (MCPLB) using Aspergillus tamariias inoculum was formulated. Growth responses were measured at the end of the 8th and 16th week while microbial count and carcass yield were measured at the 16th week. Results: There was no significant (p>0.05) effect on performance at the end of the 8th and 16th weeks. Dietary inclusion of WCPLB and SCPLB reduced (p<0.05) carcass weight. Reduced (p<0.05) Escherichia coli count (3.30 and 3.36 Log₁₀) was obtained in the ileum content of pigs fed a diet containing UCPLB and WCPLB, respectively. Conclusion: CPLB based diet irrespective of processing method did not affect performance and had comparable dressing percentage for pigs fed a control diet.