Microbial population, identification and in vitro studies of West African Dwarf goats fed diets with or without urea treated corncob

Abstract

Corncob is an agricultural by-product emanating from harvested maize which is considered as waste after maize seeds/grains are removed either in fresh or dry form. Effort can be made to fortify and utilise it as feed for ruminant animals using some substances. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate microbial population, identification and in vitro studies of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets with or without urea treated corncob. Sixteen WAD goats of four animals/treatment were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments comprising of T1 (diet without urea treated corncob); T2 (diet with corncob treated with 1.5% urea); T3 (diet with corncob treated with 2% urea); and T4 (diet with corncob treated with 2.5% urea). The diets were fed for 12 weeks after which rumen liquor was collected from the animals for evaluations and in vitro studies. Data obtained were analysed using one-way ANOVA at 5% probability level. Results obtained revealed that bacteria population was highest (p<0.05) and lowest with values of 1.60 and 1.02×10⁴cfu/ml, respectively for goats fed T3 and T2. Bacteria isolates common to all the treatments included Streptococcus faecalis and Eschericia coli; while Penicillin notatum was for fungi. TI had the highest significant (p<0.05) values for in vitro  parameters like gas production at 33rd, 42nd and 45th hours of incubation; dry matter digestibility (41.67%) and CO₂ (15.00ml/200mg DM). It could be concluded from the study that inclusion of urea treated corncob generally improved microbial population, reduced value for CO₂, whereas T1 had highest dry matter digestibility.