Proximate composition, cyanide content, and In Vitro dry matter digestibility of rumen filtrate- fermented cassava meal

Cassava-based products are a readily available energy source for use in animal feed, but their high cyanide, crude fiber content, low crude protein content and low digestibility limit their use, especially in chicken diets. Several studies have investigated the possibilities of reducing these limitations, particularly through the use of fermentation with enzymes and synthetic microbes. However, research findings are conflicting on the effectiveness of rumen filtrate fermentation in improving the quality of cassava for use in broiler diets. This study evaluated the effects of rumen filtrate fermentation on proximate composition, cyanide reduction and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of cassava meal for use in broiler diets.It also determinedthe effect of this method in improving nutrient content to make it a recommended alternative to maize in poultry diets. A completely randomized design was used to evaluate six diets (T1 - T6) of cassava root meal-based diets, each treated with different concentrations of rumen filtrate and feed grade urea. The samples were anaerobically fermented for 72 hours and analyzed for chemical composition, hydrocyanic acid (HCN) content, and IVDMD. Based on these results, an optimized treatment was selected for the formulation of feed for broilers in which maize was replaced by fermented cassava meal treated with rumen filtrate (RFFCM) at 0%, 15%, 30% and 45%. The formulated feeds were also analyzed for proximate composition, HCN content and IVDMD. The results showed that rumen filtrate fermentation significantly improved the digestibility and nutritional value of cassava root meal. Fermentation using rumen filtrate decreased HCN and crude fibre (CF) content, increased dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE) and in vitro Dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). These improvements suggest that rumen filtrate fermented cassava meal is a viable substitute for maize in broiler diets. The results indicate that fermentation with rumen filtrate is an effective method to improve the digestibility and reduce cyanide toxicity. The study therefore provides evidence for the inclusion of RFFCM in poultry feed as a cost-effective alternative to maize, thereby promoting sustainable feeding strategies for livestock production. The study recommends that future studies should be conducted toevaluate the effects of rumen filtrate fermented cassava meal-based diet on broiler performance and the economic feasibility in commercialbroiler production.