Utilization of canteen food waste as ruminant feed and its effect on ruminai fermentation characteristics in vitro

Abstract

Organic waste is dominated by food waste that can cause environmental pollution if it's not handled properly. Food waste still contains plenty of nutrients such as carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and minerals that useful for ruminant feed. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of food waste as ruminant feed using in vitro. Randomized block design was used in this experiment with 5 ration treatments and 3 groups of taken rumen liquor frequencies. The treatments consisted of PO: 30% Napier grass + 70% concentrate; PI: 30% Napier grass + 8% food waste + 62% concentrate; P2: 30% Napier grass + 16% food waste + 54% concentrate; P3: 30% Napier grass + 24% food waste + 46% concentrate; and P4: 30% Napier grass + 32% food waste + 38% concentrate. The measured parameters were pH, volatile fatty acid (VFA), ammonia, microbial protein synthesis, methane gas production, in vitro dry matter (IVDMD), and organic matter digestibility (IVOMD). The results showed that the usage of food waste in ration as ruminant feed was able to increased ammonia, VFA, microbial protein synthesis, IVDMD, and IVOMD without interrupting the fermentation in the rumen. The diet treatments did not have a significant effect on rumen pH, ammonia and microbial protein synthesis, but showed a significant increment in methane gas production and a very significant increment in VFA, IVDMD, and IVOMD compared to control. The use of 32% food waste in ration showed the highest production of ammonia, VFA, and microbial protein synthesis as well as the highest number of IVDMD and IVOMD. The use of food waste up to 32% was able to support the fermentability and digestibility.