Nutritional status of palm kernel meal inoculated with Trichoderma Harzanium

Abstract

The ability of Trichoderma harzanium to improve the nutritional status of palm kernel meal (P K M) was assessed over forty days of fermentation. Fermentation within this time period induced various changes in the proximate and mineral analysis of the palm kernel meal. Comparatively, the highest crude protein and ether extract of 33.03% and 8.65% respectively were obtained at 20 days of biodegradation by rrichoderma harzanium. As the fermentation period increases there was reduction in the crude fibre content of palm kernel meal from 14.45% at day 0 to 7.74 at day 10. There was increase in the quality of Ca (0.016%) potassium (0.170%) at day 10 and phosphorus (0.00073%) at day 20 when compared with the control.

Key words: Nutritional status of PKM Trichoderma harzanium