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

Conversion of masonia tree sawdust and cotton plant by product into feed by white rot fungus (

The influence of fungus treatment on the biochemical composition and degradation patter of sawdust and cotton plant by-products (cotton burns and cotton gin trash) by Pleurotus sajor caju wereevaluated. Lignin degradation increased as the incubation period progressed while the highest loss of hemicellulose, cellulose, acid detergent fibre, neutral detergent fibre were recorded for treated cottonplant by-product. The nutrient availability was superior in the fungus treated cotton plant by-product substrate compared to the treated sawdust. The process efficiency was highest for the treated sawdustthan the treated cotton plant by-product, while the loss of organic matter was similar in the cotton plant by-product and sawdust. Correlation between the dry matter of the treated sawdust and cotton plant by-product gave a positive response. It is concluded that such biodelignification and the concurrent percentages increase in nutrient availability indicate that culturing of P. sajor caju on cotton plant byproduct ands saw dust may in fact improve the nutritive value of such lignocellulosic waste

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

Evaluation of Trichoderma harzanium treated cassava waste on the quality and quantity of milk of goat

The effects of the fungus, Trichoderma harzanium, treated cassava waste on milk quantity and quality were investigated in a completely randomized design model with twelve lactating West African dwarfdoes. Goats were fed the experimental diets containing O (A), 20 (B), 30 (C) and 40% (D) Trichoderma treated cassava waste during a 13 week lactation trial. The results revealed significant differences inmilk quantity and quality. The highest milk yield was recorded for diet D followed closely by diets C, B and A in that order. Inclusion of fungus treated cassava waste resulted in significant increasing milk fat,protein, solids not fat (SNF), and total solids. While the inclusion had little effect on milk pH and specific gravity. The yield of 40% fat corrected milk (FCM) and gross efficiency of milk increased significantly (P < 0.05) by the addition of fungus treated cassava waste in the diet. In conclusion, the addition of Trichoderma treated cassava waste was beneficial to lactating West African dwarf goats

Performance Characteristics of West African Dwarf Goats Fed Trichoderma Treated Jatropha curcas Seed Cake.

In a study of dietary effects of fungi (Trichoderma ghanense and Trichoderma asperellum) treatment on Jatropha curcas meal. Defatted Jatropha curcas cake was inoculated with the fungi and then used to replace soybean meal in a formulated diet for West African Dwarf goats. The fungi Trichoderma ghanense was included at 0%, 4%, 2% level in diets A, B, C, respectively and Trichoderma asperellum was included at 4%, 2% level in diets D and E respectively. The initial average weight of the goats was 7.00+ 1.00 kg. Water and feed were given ad-libitum for the entire duration of experiment. Fungi treatment considerably reduces crude fibre with increased ash content. There were marked decrease in weight as a result of poor feed intake and utilization. The fungus treatment did not completely detoxify the Jatropha curcas cake resulting in 100 percent death before the end of the experiment. There is the need to find better method of detoxifying the toxins and antinutrients present in Jatropha curcas cake without trading off the high crude protein content.KEY WORDS: WAD goats, Phorbolesters, Jatropha curcas cake, Fungi

Production of cheese from recombined milk

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

Nitrogen distribution in the milk and blood of Bunaji (White Fulani) cattle fed broiler-litter-based concentrate diets as supplement to Panicum maximum (Jacq) hay

A study was conducted to determine effects of feeding autoclaved-broiler-litter-based concentrate diet (ABL) at 20, 40 and 60 per cent level of inclusion on the distribution of milk nitrogen and blood nitrogen fractions of Bunaji cattle fed guinea grass hay ad libitum. Nine lactating Bunaji cows (238.2 1 7.88 kg initial BW) in a 3 W 3 latin square design consumed Panicum maximum hay, ad libitum, supplemented with diets A (20 per cent), B (40 per cent), and C (60 per cent) ABL inclusion levels, respectively, in an 84-day experiment. Litter contained 20.32 per cent ash, 18.40 per cent crude protein, and 68.30 per cent neutral detergent fibre (NDF). True protein nitrogen (TPN) varied between 685.7 and 690.3 mg/100 ml milk and this constituted 94.55 and 94.10 per cent of total nitrogen (TN). There were consistent trends forlinear changes in several response parameters due to increased dietary feeding level of ABL. The protein nitrogen (PN) value expressed as the percentage of TN increased for cows fed diets A and C while corresponding values recorded for animals on diets A and B were similar (P>0.05). Non-protein nitrogen (NPN) fractions gave 31.74, 37.82 and 27.92 per cent of non-casein nitrogen (NCN) for diets A, B and C,r espectively, but significant variations were considerable due to advancing lactation. The combined linear effect of crude protein and energy intake contributed significantly (R2 = 87 per cent) to the variation in the total protein content of the milk while TPN varied directly with total nitrogen and NPN (R2 =97 per cent). In conclusion, mixed broiler litter, cassava waste supplement increased the nitrogen content of milk of Bunaji lactating cows with higher TPN and casein nitrogen (CN). Ghana Jnl agric. Sci. Vol.31(1) 1998: 15-2