Gvn. Reddy et Kj. Reddy, Effect of expander-extruder processing on nutritive value of maize cobs based complete diet of buffaloes, I J ANIM SC, 70(2), 2000, pp. 188-190
Expander-extruder processed maize cobs (40%) based complete diet, correspon
ding mash diet and a conventional diet (containing concentrate mixture and
ground-maize cobs in 60: 40 ratio as in complete diets i e as such basis) w
ere fed to 3 permanently fistulated male buffaloes using 3x3 latin square d
esign to assess the effect of these diets on rumen fermentation pattern and
nutrient utilization. The DMI and water intake/kg DMI were comparable on a
ll the diets. Total N, TCA-precipitable N and residual N were increased (P<
0.01) from conventional diet to mash and expander-extruder processed diet w
here the trend in NH3-N concentration was reverse. All the N fractions exce
pt NH3-N and TVFA concentrations peaked at 4- hr post feeding. The digestib
ilities of DM, OM and CP were significantly (P<0.05) higher on expander-ext
ruder processed diet compared to other 2 diets. All the animals were on pos
itive N, Ca and P balances under 3 treatments. Expander-extruder processing
increased the DCP and TDN contents of diet and the intakes on all the diet
s were much higher than the recommended level for maintenance of adult buff
aloes. The results indicated that the rumen fermentation pattern in buffalo
es was normal on maize-cobs based diets and that expander-extruder processi
ng stimulated to some extent the rumen fermentation pattern and enhanced th
e nutrient utilization of complete diet.