Tumpi as an alternative fiber feed to substitute elephant grass (<i>Pennisetum purpureum</i>) in ruminants using <i>in vitro</i> techniques

Abstract Tumpi (corn offal) is a by-product of the corn kernel removal process. Its constant availability offers an alternative for smallholder farmers who usually rely on straw for fiber sources. This study aims to utilize the in vitro Tilley and Terry method to investigate the effects of replacing elephant grass with tumpi in rations on in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and the fermentability of the rations. Three different treatments were tested in a fully randomized design: 60% elephant grass and 40% concentrate (R0), 10% tumpi, 50% elephant grass, and 40% concentrate (R1), and 20% tumpi, 40% elephant grass, and 40% concentrate (R2). The results indicated that the digestibility in both stages of IVDMD and IVOMD did not show a significant effect (P&gt;0.05) from including tumpi at the 10% and 20% levels as a substitute for elephant grass. Additionally, substituting elephant grass with tumpi did not significantly affect the fermentability in the rumen. This study concludes that tumpi can be used in rations at levels up to 20% in the ration.