Microbial population, identification and in vitro studies of West African Dwarf goats fed diets with or without urea treated corncob

Abstract

Corncob is an agricultural by-product emanating from harvested maize which is considered as waste
after maize seeds/grains are removed either in fresh or dry form. Effort can be made to fortify and
utilise it as feed for ruminant animals using some substances. Thus, a study was conducted to evaluate
microbial population, identification and in vitro studies of West African Dwarf (WAD) goats fed diets
with or without urea treated corncob. Sixteen WAD goats of four animals/treatment were randomly
allotted to four dietary treatments comprising of T1 (diet without urea treated corncob); T2 (diet with
corncob treated with 1.5% urea); T3 (diet with corncob treated with 2% urea); and T4 (diet with
corncob treated with 2.5% urea). The diets were fed for 12 weeks after which rumen liquor was
collected from the animals for evaluations and in vitro studies. Data obtained were analysed using
one-way ANOVA at 5% probability level. Results obtained revealed that bacteria population was
highest (p<0.05) and lowest with values of 1.60 and 1.02×104
cfu/ml, respectively for goats fed T3 and
T2. Bacteria isolates common to all the treatments included Streptococcus faecalis and Eschericia
coli; while Penicillin notatum was for fungi. TI had the highest significant (p<0.05) values for in vitro
parameters like gas production at 33rd, 42nd and 45th hours of incubation; dry matter digestibility
(41.67%) and CO2 (15.00ml/200mg DM). It could be concluded from the study that inclusion of urea
treated corncob generally improved microbial population, reduced value for CO2, whereas T1 had
highest dry matter digestibility