Cultivation of mushroom (Volvariella volvacea) on banana leaves

Following the solid state fermentation of banana leaves (Musa sapientum lina) by lignin degrading mushroom (Volvariella volvacea), yield of fruiting bodies and compositional changes of the substrate were evaluated using a student parametric “T” test model. The biological efficiency was 5.21 while the total weight of fruit yield was 2.5 kg. The percentage biomass loss was 18.20%. The banana leaves treated with V. volvacea exhibited losses primarily in the polysaccharide components and with a greater percentage of the fibre components being degraded. The crude protein content was enhanced by theincubation of the mushroom due probably to the addition of microbial protein. The acid detergent lignin (ADL) was significantly reduced in the fungus treated sample. The acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) followed similar trend but, the cellulose and hemicellulose increased. Thedevelopment of this simple technology is expected to improve the yield of mushroom as well as provide sustainable feed (spent substrate) for ruminant animals

Effects of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste in the diets of West African dwarf goat on blood, reproductive and urinary parameters

A study was conducted to evaluate effects of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste on the haemotology, reproductive and urinary parameters of West African dwarf (WAD) does. Twenty mature WAD does were allotted randomly to one four treatments using a completely randomized design arrangement. Does were individually fed the experimental diets containing 0, 20, 30 and 40% fungus treated cassava waste based diets (A, B, C and D, respectively) during the 56 days experiment. The blood parameters (PCV, Hb, RBC and WBC) of animals fed the tested diet compared with those fed the control diet are similar (p>0.05). Likewise, the pH, urea concentration of the urine were comparable (P>0.05) in does fed the experimental and control diets while the urobilinogen was normal across the diets. Fertility, fecundityand prolificacy rates showed better reproductive performance with diet D compared to that of diets A, B and C. These data indicate that addition of Trichoderma-treated cassava waste in the diet of goats hadno detrimental effect on the haematological, urinary and reproductive performances of lactating WAD does

Effect of biological and chemical preservatives on the shelf life of West African soft cheese

The effect of biological extracts on the storage qualities of West African soft cheese was evaluated in a completely randomized design model within a 15-day period. The control and the treated cheeses were stored under ambient temperature and assessed for the pH, titrable acidity, moisture content and crude protein. The pH and titrable acidity rose (P<0.05) with ginger extract preservant. The crude protein and moisture content were increased (P<0.05) by preservation. The ginger extract was found to be the most effective method of reducing microbial load, followed closely by the garlic extract. The ginger extract treatment extended the shelf life of cheese for 15 days. Treatment of West African soft cheese with ginger extract may not markedly alter the nutritional quality but appeared promising as it has a preservative property

Production of cheese from recombined milk

No Abstract.Journal of the Cameroon Academy of Sciences Vol. 6 (3) 2006: pp. 175-18