Effect Of Aspergillus Niger Biodegradation On The Nutriti0nal Potentials Of Cowpea Seedhulls Subjected To Different Physical Treatments

Abstract

The effect of Aspergillus niger on the nutritional potential of cowpea seed hull after different physical treatments was investigated. The crude protein ranges from 14.11% to 15.07 and 16.71% in the untreated seed hull (UCH), soaked and boiled (SBCH) and soaked (SCH) respectively, before fungi degradation but after the samples were subjected to fungi inoculation the crude protein was found to increase significantly (p>0.05) to 29.98% in UCH, 21.31% in SBCH and 20.19% in SCH after 14 days of inoculation. This shows over 100% increase in UCH, 41.50% in SBCH and 20.82 % in SCH. The variation observed showed was significantly different (p<0.05) subject to the treatment effect. The mean values of the crude fibre decreased significantly (p<0.05) from 30% to 18% in UCH, 28.21% to 21.00% in SBCH and 25.50% to 19.00% in SCH. The Ether extract, Ash and Insoluble ash were not significantly different (p>0.05) despite the treatment adopted but were found to increase as the period of fermentation increased
There was evidence of some linear relationship between the crude fibre (CF) and the cell wall components (NDF, ADF, ADL, Hemicellulose and Cellulose). It was evident that the Aspergillus niger inoculation had significant effect (p<0.05) on the cell wall component of the treated seed hull. Fungi biodegradation of cowpea seed hull enhances its nutritive value and hence a potential feed for monogastric animals.


Keywords: Aspergillus niger, biodegradation, nutritional potentials, cowpea seedhulls

JOAFSS Vol. 4 (1) 2006: pp. 150-159