Increasing the potential of Cajuput leaf waste as cattle feed through fermentation pretreatment

Waste of cajuput leaves (Melaleuca cajuputi Powell) has the potential to be used as an alternative cattle feed because it has a fairly high nutritional content. The nutritional content of cajuput leaf waste needs to be improved before being used as an alternative feed. The fermentation process can increase nutrient content in cajuput leaf waste and increase the digestibility of organic matter (OMD), dry matter digestibility (DMD), Ammonia (NH3), and Volatile Fatty Acid (VFA). This study aimed to determine the improvement of cajuput leaf waste nutrition with the help of yeast as well as the effect of fermented cajuput leaf waste along with a mixture of concentrates and field grass on digestibility, NH3, and VFA which were carried out in vitro test. The results showed the nutritional content of cajuput leaf waste fermented by yeast of Aspergillus chevalieri had the best value of protein 16.03%, fiber 16.92%, and fat 5.93%. The treatment R4 (50% cajuput leaf waste + 25% concentrate + 25% field grass) had the best digestibility (DMD=46.12%; DMO=32.08%), NH3 (8.37mM) and VFA (168.5mM) production.