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Jul 13, 2022Keywords:
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Assessment of the production, nutrient composition and some mineral elements levels in corn-mill sweepings (CMS) from various sources in the Kumasi Metropolis
Abstract
This study was conducted to assess the production practices, nutrient composition and mineral elements status of corn mill sweeping (CMS). Twenty semi-structured questionnaires were admin-istered to corn mill operators in the Oforikrom Municipality of the Ashanti Region. Data on their socio-economic characteristics, types of mills used, and management and production of CMS were collected and samples of the CMS were also collected for chemical analysis. Data collected were analysed by descriptive statistics outlined by Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20. Results showed that almost all (95%) mill operators interviewed were males. A majority (65%) of the mill operators were below the age of 40 years. All mill operators interviewed had two or more different machine types and they included grinding mill, crushing mill, hullers and pound-ing machines. Most (95%) of the millers use locally manufactured grinding plates. Food and feed items that could form part of the milling processes were cassava, fish, groundnut, soya beans, cow-pea, and paddy rice. The study further revealed that the majority (75%) of the millers produce be-tween 6 - 25 kg CMS/day. The proximate analysis showed that the %CP, %Ash, %Ether extract, %CF, NFE and ME ranged between 8.53-14.51, 2.11-6.28, 1.05-3.66, 0.53-3.51, 76.34-84.62 and 3304.18-3574.65 kcal ME/kg DM respectively. The qualitative and quantitative mineral analysis revealed six minerals, namely; cadmium (0.06-0.61mg/kg), calcium (15,198-20,419mg/kg), phos-phorus (2604.90-4291.50mg/kg), zinc (24.26-47.23mg/kg), iron (351.1-1781.50mg/kg) and copper (37.25-230.81mg/kg) to be present in the CMS. It was concluded that substantial quantities of CMS are produced daily by mill operators for feeding farm animals to meet their nutrients and energy requirements. Operators must however ensure that toxic materials do not contaminate the CMS.
