PHYSICAL PROPERTIES AND CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF MAIZE COBS FROM EDO

ABSTRACT

Maize cobs are byproducts of the maize crop that are utilized in the production of livestock feed all over the world. They are low-nutritive-value feed items, similar to straw or inadequate hay.. This study was carried out to evaluate the Physical properties and Chemical composition of maize cobs from Edo and Ekiti State treated with Multi enzymes as well as the ability of the Multi enzymes to breakdown the cellulose and hemicellulose in maize cobs. The experiment was made up of treatment such as the location treatment Edo and Ekiti State, C (control) and E (Ekiti) and treated maizecob Multi enzymes such as F (Fullzyme), N (Nutizymes), EB (Enziblend) and EZ (Enerzyme). 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). All tests were carried out at 5% probability level (p < 0.05).The result on crude fibre (CF) content showed that there were no significant differences (p > 0.05) amongst treatments except for E and EZ which are significantly different from the other treatment. Higher crude protein (CP) content was recorded in the treated cobs, on the other hand, untreated cobs attained the least Crude protein value (3.50). Treatment with Enerzyme (EZ) one of the treated cobs recorded the highest Dry matter (DM) value of (85.90), high Crude fiber value of (64.33) and high neutral detergent fiber (NDF) value of (75.00) as well as High hemicellulose (HEM) value of (34.33). From this study. It can be concluded that Enerzyme (EZ) one of the treated cobs cannot be fed to monogastric animal as it has high Crude fiber and monogastric animal won't be able to digest it. The Lowest Crude fiber (CF) content was recorded in Fullzyme (F). From this study. It can be deducted that Fullzyme (F) one of the treated cobs can be fed to monogastric animal as it has low Crude fiber and high Nitrogen free extract (NFE).