CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MAIZE COBS

ABSTRACT

Exogenous enzymes are increasingly being used in animal diets to offset anti-nutritional factors including fiber because farm animal lack the appropriate digestive enzymes. Hence the study seeks to evaluate the chemical composition of maize cobs treated with four (4) multi enzymes. The study was carried out University of Benin Farm project. The discarded maize cobs were obtained from the New Benin Market in Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria. The sun-dried maize cobs were mixed with four (4) different enzymes; A- Eneryzme, B- nutrizyme; C – fullzyme D enziblend[Oyekunbi1] . Enerzyme was used at 0.35g mixed in 4kg of maize cob, Nutrizyme was used at 0.5g mixed in 4kg of maize cobs, fullyzme was used at 0.25g mixed in 4kg of maize cob while Enziblend was used at 0.5g mixed in 4kg of maize cob. The data obtained was analyzed using Genstat version 12.1. The analyzed data was tested for significant differences using table of Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and mean comparison was carried out using Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT).  The result of the study shows that there [Oyekunbi2] was significant reductions (p<0.05) in DM and crude fiber contents in the enzyme-treated samples compared to the control. The significant reduction in fiber contents indicates that the Fullzyme was more effective in breaking down the component of the fiber in maize cobs compared to other enzymes used. Based on the findings during the course of this study, it was concluded that the use of Fullzyme can be used to treat maize cob since it can degrade fibre content and help increase the Ca, Mg, Na, K and P of the maize cob.

[Oyekunbi3]which of the 4 multienzymes degraded the fiber in the maize cobs best. you have to mention it.