Effects of Neurospora sp Mold on the Nutritive Values, Bioactive Compounds, Fatty Acids and Amino Acids Profile of Solid Decanter of Palm Oil Sludge

Background: Solid decanter is a by-product biomass of palm oil plants and it could be used as animal feed, particularly poultry. Solid decanter is however high in crude fiber content and needs further treatment before being given to the birds. One such treatment is a fermentation process using Neurospora mold. Methods: Mixture of solid decanter of palm oil sludge, rice bran and urea were fermented using Neurospora sp mold. The experiment was designed according to a completely randomized design (CRD) with six concentrations of mold as the treatments with four replicates. Therefore, there were 24 numbers of the experimental units. The mold concentrations were 0, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10% of the solid decanter palm oil sludge-based substrate. The mixtures were subjected to proximate, bioactive compounds, fatty acid and amino acid profile analyses after aerobic incubation for 72 hours at room temperature. Result: Mold concentration in the mixture significantly increased in nutritive values, antioxidant activity, flavonoid, polyphenol, beta-carotene, fatty acids and amino acids, in which 8% of mold produced the best values of measured parameters. In conclusion, nutritive values, bioactive compounds, fatty acids and amino acids profiles of solid decanter of palm oil sludge improved by providing 8% of Neurospora sp mold in the substrate.