Determine of chemical composition, fermentability, digestibility, ME and MP of corn processing by-products on ruminants nutrition

Abstract

Introduction: Corn is the most important component of concentrate feeds in livestock which
due to climate change and reduced rainfall, its price is always increasing and therefore the use
of affordable corn waste, it seems necessary. After corn processing and starch extraction, byproducts
including corn germ, fiber and gluten are produced which are rich sources for
ruminant nutrition. The aim of this study was to determine the chemical composition,
fermentability, digestibility, ME and MP for corn fiber and corn gluten feed.
Materials & Methods: Samples of Corn processing residues including germ, fiber and corn
gluten feed were obtained from a company and the samples were transferred to the laboratory
of Animal Science Research Institute of Iran and they were milled. Then the chemical
composition, gas production and digestibility were measured. Gas production was measured
using a mixture of rumen liquor from three fistulated bulls (Taleshi cow) for different
fermentation times, including 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours of ruminal incubation.
Also, ME, MP and DMI of Corn processing residues were obtained.
Results: Amount of Organic Matter, Crude Protein, Crude Fat, NDF, ADF, NFC and starch in
corn fiber were obtained 89.3, 14.0, 3.3, 10.7, 70.2, 14.7 and 3.5% respectively; in corn germ
were obtained 98.4, 9.4, 52.1, 1.6, 27.3, 9.9 and 10.7% (in order) and in corn gluten feed were
obtained 94.9, 20.6, 3.5, 5.1, 53.1, 17.6 and 8.5 %, respectively. The gas production (at 24
hours of fermentation) of corn fiber and corn gluten feed were measured 37.7 and 61.5
(ml/200mg), respectively. The ME content of corn fiber and corn gluten feed were calculated
6.2 and 11.6 (MJ/Kg), respectively .OMD of corn fiber and corn gluten feed were measured
67.1 and 80.2%, respectively .The MP content of corn fiber and corn gluten feed (at
maintenance level) were calculated 13 and 15.5 (g/Kg) in order .Dry matter intake (DMI) of
corn gluten feed on cow, sheep and goat (at maintenance level) were obtained 4226.3, 1102.4
and 932.5 (g/KgW0.75) respectively .
Conclusion: Due to the suitability of fermentability and digestibility of gluten corn feed, it
seems this wastes is useful for feeding livestock. Corn gluten feed can be used as a substitute
for the fibrous part of the ruminant diet. In general, the use of processed corn waste can reduce
the cost of feed production in ruminants.