Evaluation of Ruminal Degradation Characteristics of Dehulled Moringa Seed Cake and its Influence on Performance of Lactating Damascus Goats

Abstract

Moringa seed cake is a protein-rich source that can be utilized as a feed supplement or a cheaper protein feed ingredient. This study aimed to: (1) assess the ruminal degradation features of machine-dehulled moringa seed cake (DMSC); and (2) examine the effect of supplementing lactating Damascus goats’ diets with DMSC on milk production. Three cannulated rams (50.60± 3.05 kg, body weight) were used to assess the ruminal degradability of DM, NDF, and ADF for DMSC using in sacco technique. Fifteen lactating Damascus goats (averaging 45.4± 0.5 kg, body weight and averaging milk yield 900±65 g/head/day) were randomly assigned to one of three treatments for 6 weeks to study DMSC’s effect on blood metabolites and quality and quantity of the produced milk. Treatment groups were provided either a control diet or control diet with 40 g/head/day (DMSC40) or 80 g/head/day (DMSC80) of DMSC. DMSC was high in protein (39.6% CP on DM) and low in fibre. DMSC DM was thought to be highly digestible due to its high ruminally degradable fraction (76.1%). Increasing supplementation amount of DMSC in goats’ diets reduced their blood cholesterol (linear; P = 0.012). However, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea-N, glucose, and liver enzymes showed no significant changes. DMSC supplementation increased milk energy content (MJ/kg), milk total solids, non-fat solids, protein, and lactose (g/kg) (linear; P < 0.05). In conclusion, supplementing lactating goats’ diets with a low level of DMSC might enhance the produced milk (quality and quantity) without any adverse effects.