Page 21 - Effects of dried citrus pulp on nutrient intake, nitrogen balance and growth performance in Lohi lambs

Nutrient Digestibility

Abdullah (2013) executed an experiment to examine the effect of DCP on the
nutrient digestibility in Nili Ravi buffalo bulls. He fed animals 10, 20, 30 and 40% DCP in

diet. At the end of the experiment, a non-significant effect was observed on dry matter

digestibility (DMD) in in bulls receiving various levels of DCP. Similar effects were
observed on CP, NDF and ADF digestibility in bulls fed 10, 20, 30 and 40% DCP of the

dietary concentrate.

Franzolin et al. (2010) performed an experiment to examine the effect of DCP on

nutrient digestibility in buffalos. Buffalos were supplemented with concentrate ration

having DCP at 12 and 30%. Results revealed better nutrient digestibility in buffalos fed
concentrate having 30% DCP. Similarly, Cruz et al. (2010) stated that supplementation of

citrus pulp in the diet increased DM, OM, and CP intake and apparent digestibility. They
reported that inclusion of citrus pulp up to 75% of the dietary DM proved beneficial. The

higher digestibility in animals fed citrus pulp may be attributed to better nutrient
composition and greater solubility of carbohydrates in the rumen.

Nam et al. (2009) executed an in vitro experiment to examine the effect of DCP on

nutrient digestibility. Feed was supplemented with 22.2 g DCP per kg. It was compared
with untreated feed (wheat 3.1, wheat bran 6.9, corn gluten feed 4.4, cotton seed meal 3.7,

coconut meal 1.1, soy bean meal 18.1, limestone 1.2, lupins 1.2, corn flaked 30.5, salts 0.6,
cotton hulls 6.2, alfalfa cube 2.4, rice straw 5.0, alfalfa pellet 2.2, sugar beet pulp 7.3 and

alfalfa hay (long) 6.1%). Results showed higher nutrient digestibility in diet containing

DCP than control diet. This might be due to presence of total soluble solids (carbohydrate,
organic acids, pectin and fat) and neutral detergent soluble carbohydrates in DCP, which

would be rapidly, digested.

Macedo et al. (2007) carried out a trial to assess the effect of fresh citrus pulp in

replacement of sorghum silage on nutrient digestibility in male crossbred sheep. Mean body

weight of all male sheep was 28.3 kg (±2.41). Sorghum silage was substituted by fresh
citrus pulp at 0, 25, 50 and 75% levels in the feed. It was noticed that digestibility of DM

and CP showed quadratic effect while OM digestibility showed positive linear effect. NDF
digestibility did not differ among all treatments. Cooke et al. (2007) performed an

experiment to observe the effect of DCP on nutrient digestibility in Brahman British cows.

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