Cashew nut shell nutrient profile (Annacardium occidentale) as a potential feed source

Abstract

Cashew shell is one of the wastes from cashew processing, cashew shell contains active compounds that can be used as antibiotics, besides that cashew shell has nutrient content that can still be used as animal feed. The use of cashew shells in animal feed either as an additive or feed ingredient is expected to add information about the utilization of cashew shells. This research was conducted by using cashew shells from Lombe Sub-district, Central Buton District, Southeast Sulawesi. The cashew shell used is the epidermis and outer shell of the cashew. The method used to determine the nutrient content of cashew shell samples is the nutrient analysis proximate method, the variables seen are the content of dry matter, organic matter, ash content, crude protein, crude fat, crude fibre, and non-nitrogen extract. The data obtained were analyzed descriptively. The results showed that the protein content and ash content of the epidermis were higher than the outer shell while the fat content, crude fibre and non-nitrogen extract of the outer shell were higher than the cashew epidermis. Cashew shell has the potential to be used as animal feed based on its nutrient content.