Farelo do mesocarpo de babaçu na produção de bovinos de corte

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate intake, apparent digestibility of nutrients and nitrogen balance (NB) of diets containing babassu mesocarp bran (BMB) in replacement of elephant grass silage (0, 21, 38, 62 and 78%). Twenty sheep were placed in metabolism crates and allotted to a completely randomized design with four replicates. Were collected and recorded food intake and excretion of feces and urine. The intakes of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ash, neutral detergent fibrous (NDF), acid detergent fibrous (ADF), hemicellulose and total carbohydrates were not affected by experimental diets. Change was observed in the intakes of non fibrous carbohydrates (NFC) and reduced intake of ether extract (EE) as % of live weight (%LW) and grams per unit of metabolic weight (g/UMW). The total digestible nutrients TDN intake had a quadratic response with maximum points at 37.3 and 37.9% of BMB when expressed in % LW and g/UMW, respectively. The apparent digestibilities of OM, NDF, ADF, CP and NFC reduced to the extent that the BMB has increased in the diets. The digestibility of DM, EE, and NFC had a quadratic response, where the maximum digestibility of DM was estimated at 10% BMB. TDN decreased 0.28% for each percentage point of inclusion in the diets of BMB. The BMB use reduces the fibrous fractions digestibility, but increases the NFC and TDN intake, indicating that this byproduct can be used as an energy source for ruminant diets. Note: Thesis w/seven chapters. Presented summary and abstract of the 2nd chapter