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Abstract Background The use of cocoa pod husk in livestock nutrition is being limited because of its fibrous nature and anti-nutrients, which have detrimental effect(s) on the animals. This study was conducted to evaluate the nutritive value and effects of replacing urea-treated ensiled cocoa pod husk meal (urea-treated CPHM) with cassava peel in a complete concentrate diet (CCD) on in vitro digestibility and methane (CH4) production. Methods Urea-treated CPHM was prepared by soaking the raw milled pod in 5% urea solution under anaerobic condition for 7 days, and decanted and the filtrates were further ensiled for 28 days, dried, and were replaced with cassava peel meal in CCD at 0, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, and 15% on part basis. Feed samples (n = 3) were analyzed for chemical composition, and data generated from in vitro study were subjected to statistical analysis in a completely randomized design experiment. Results Results revealed that the treatment significantly reduced the crude fiber, fiber fraction contents, and anti-nutrients and improved the crude protein content of the pod by 71.84%. Dry matter and crude protein of the diets ranged from 89.34–89.71% and 10.52–12.84%, respectively. The in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) increased with increasing levels of urea-treated CPHM in the diets. With increasing levels of urea-treated CPHM, CH4 production relatively reduced as compared to diet E. Metabolizable energy (5.66 Kcal/g) of diet F was the highest. Therefore, the inclusion of urea-treated CPHM at 15% in CCDs has the potential for improving digestibility and reducing CH4 production in ruminants. |
