Effects of cassava peel-leaf mixture supplemented with enzyme and organic acid on growth performance, serum indices and haematological parameters of growing pigs

Abstract

In a bid to utilize agro-industrial by-products and crop residues in animal feeding, a feeding trial, with 24 male pigs weighing 14.71±3.39 kg, was conducted for twelve weeks in a crossover design, for two periods. Cassava peel and cassava leaf were combined at a ratio of 3:2 to form cassava peel-leaf (CPLF), to replace maize. The diets were either supplemented with an enzyme (Cellulase) at 0.2 kg/ton or an organic acid (Orgacid^®) at 3.0 kg/ton. The treatments were of two groups: 0% CPLF (control) diets (no-additive, enzyme or organic acid) and 50% CPLF (50% maize) diets (no-additive, enzyme or organic acid). Four pigs were assigned to each diet. For each period, parameters measured were performance, haematological and serum biochemical indices. The replacement of maize with 50% CPLF did not reduce (p > 0.05) the response of growing pigs. Likewise, supplementation of CPLF with cellulose or organic acid did not significantly (p > 0.05) improve the response of growing pigs. CPLF replacement of maize at 50% and the subsequent supplementation with enzyme or organic acid had no effect on the haematological and serum indices measured. Replacing 50% maize with CPLF did not negatively affect the growth performance and blood profile of growing pigs.