Dietary replacement of maize with processed cassava peel-leaf blends: impact on the growth performance and blood parameters of growing pigs.

This study investigated the effect of dietary inclusion of cassava peel-leaf blend (CPLB) processed in different ways on the performance and blood parameters of growing pigs. CPLB (cassava peel: cassava leaf; 5:1) was included in the diet of pigs in an 8-week feeding trial. The processed CPLB (unfermented (UCPLB), water-fermented (WCPLB) and microbial fermented (MCPLB)) replaced maize at 50%. Twenty-four male crossbred (Large White x Landrace) pigs with a weight range of 21±1 kg) were assigned to four weight-matched dietary treatments with six pigs in each. A standard maize and soya-based diet (control) was formulated, as well as diets with unfermented CPLB (diet UF), water-fermented CPLB (WF) and microbial fermented CPLB (MF), using Aspergillus tamarii as the inoculum. The growth response was measured weekly, and haematological and biochemical analyses were carried out after 8 weeks. The diets had no significant (P > 0.05) effect on growth performance or haematological parameters at the end of 8 weeks. Serum creatinine and thiocyanate were significantly (P < 0.05) affected by dietary inclusion of processed CPLB at 8 weeks. Pigs fed diet UF had reduced (P < 0.05) serum creatinine (0.58 mg/dl). Serum thiocyanate was reduced (P < 0.05) in pigs fed diet WF (1.16 µg/ml) and diet MF (1.10 µg/ml). In conclusion, a CPLB-based diet, irrespective of the processing method, did not significantly affect growth performance or haematological parameters and had no negative effect on biochemical parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]