Alimon, Abdul Razak

Bejo, Mohd Hair

Li, Juan

Universiti Putra Malaysia Institutional Repository

FOR Category Fl0900: Agricultural SciencesSAFE USE OF PALM KERNEL CAKE (PKC) FORSMALL RUMINANT PRODUCTIONA.R. Alimon, M. Hair-Bejo and Li JuanDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of AgricultureUniversiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM, Serdang, SelangoT,MalaysiaKeywords: foodstuff, palm kernel cake, copper toxic-ity, oil palm by-products.IntroductionPalm kernel cake is a by-product obtained after oil extractionfrom oil palm kernel. It has been used as feed for ruminantsand to some extent non ruminants. On the average, PKCcontains about 16 % crude protein and about 10.5 MJ Me-tabolisable Energyl kg dry matter, which makes it a suitableenergy and protein source for ruminants. However, PKC alsocontains about 30 ppm copper, which makes it toxic to sheepwhen fed high levels of for long periods. Earlier studies(Hair-Bejo and Alimon, 1994) have shown that sheep fedPKC comes down with liver damage associated with coppertoxicity. It is a well-known fact that sheep, unlike cattle andbuffaloes, are less tolerant to high levels of copper in thediet. Incidences of copper toxicity can be reduced by additionof zinc sulphate or molybdenum in the ration. However, thelevel of supplementation on long term basis, has not beenestablished. This study investigated the effect of molybde-num with/without sulphur on copper levels in blood and liverof sheep fed PKC based diets.Materials and MethodsSeventy two six-months to one-year old Malin- cross sheepwere selected and randomly allocated to nine groups. Theywere offered PKC pellets supplemented with different levelsof sulphur and molydenum (in the form of sodium sulphateand ammonium molybdate) to give the following dietarytreatments: Diet A (Mo 4 mglkg), Diet B (Mo 8mglkg) DietC (Mo 16 rng/kg) Diet D (32 mglkg), Diet E (Mo 4mglkg +Sulphur 0.2g1kg (S», Diet F (Mo Smg/kg + S). Diet G (Mo16mglkg + S). Diet H (Mo 32mglkg + S) and Diet I ( S) .!he sheep were fed the diets ad libitum and body weight andintake measurements were taken on a regular basis. After aperiod of three months two or three sheep from each groupwere slaughtered and blood and liver samples obtained forcopper analysis. The rest of the animals were kept for a fur-ther three months after which they were slaughtered andsamples of liver obtained and analysed for copper. Standardprocedures for copper determination as described by AOACwere carried out.Results and Discussion~e results of the study clearly indicate that supplementationwith molybdenum and sulphur significantly reduced inci-dences of copper toxicity in sheep fed solely on PKC. 10general, the liver of sheep supplemented with Mo and S at 3months slaughter and at 6 months slaughter did not vary sig-nificantly. However. the values recorded at 3 monthsslaughter were slightly higher than those at 6 monthsslaughter. The copper concentration tended to range between450 ppm to as high as 1300 ppm.ConclusionsWhi~e PK~ c:m be a good source of protein and energy forrurrunants incidences of copper toxicity have been observedin sheep fed PKC. From this study it can be concluded thatPKC when supplemented with molybdenum can reduce thelevels of copper in the liver of sheep. Copper levels in theliver are indicative of copper status in sheep. Molybdenumand sulphur appear to be more effective in reducing copperlevels in the liver.ReferencesHair-Bejo, M. and Alimon, A.R. 1995. The protective role of zinc inpalm kernel cake (PKC) toxicity in sheep. Mal. J. Nutrition. 1:75-82.Supported by lRPA Grant Ol-02.()4-O21997

Safe use of palm kernel cake (PKC) for small ruminant production

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Safe use of palm kernel cake (PKC) for small ruminant production

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