SIMPLE AND QUICK METHOD FOR RECYCLING CASHEW PULP INTO ANIMAL FEED

Abstract

Cashew is one of the indigenous bioresources in Ogbomoso, Oyo State, Nigeria. The farmers majorly harvest the nuts for commercial purpose and exportation, while the pulp is left to waste during its season thereby increasing environmental pollution. Therefore, a study was conducted to develop simple method for converting cashew pulp into animal feed using wheat offal as an absorbent. Increasing quantities of fresh cashew pulp (Cp) were mixed with wheat offal (WO) as absorbent at the following five blend ratios (Cp:WO) 1:1 (T1), 1.5:1 (T2), 2:1 (T3) and 2.5:1 (T4) and subsequently sun-dried fur 4 hours. The sun-dried samples were analyzed for their nutrient compositions. Highest dry matter (DM) of 88.77%, 27.67% crude protein (CP), 4.95% crude fibre (CF), 3.71% ether extract (EE), 5.24% total ash. 65.66% nitrogen free extract (NFE) and 84.22% organic matter (OM) were obtained in blend ratio (Cp:WO) 1:1 (T1),(Cp:WO) 1.5:1 (T2), (Cp:WO) 2.5:1 (T4), (Cp:WO) 1:1 (T1),  (Cp:WO) 2.5:1 (T4), (Cp:WO) 1:1 (T1) and (Cp:WO) 1:1 (T1), respectively. The product (different blends of Cp:WO) showed potential for use as alternative feed ingredient, means of reducing Cp pollution of environment and production of wealth from waste.