Nutritive Valorisation of Banana Tree (<i>Musa acuminata</i>) By-Products with Different Levels of Sodium Hydroxide
Sofia Margarida Pontes Teixeira,
Helder Patrício Barcelos Nunes,
Carlos Fernando Mimoso Vouzela,
João da Silva Madruga,
Alfredo Emílio Silveira Borba
Affiliations
Sofia Margarida Pontes Teixeira
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, FCAA, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Helder Patrício Barcelos Nunes
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, FCAA, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Carlos Fernando Mimoso Vouzela
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, FCAA, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
João da Silva Madruga
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, FCAA, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
Alfredo Emílio Silveira Borba
Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Research and Technology, FCAA, Faculty of Agrarian and Environmental Sciences, University of the Azores, Rua Capitão João d’Ávila, 9700-042 Angra do Heroísmo, Portugal
The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of treatment with sodium hydroxide on the nutritional value of banana (Musa acuminata) trees to see if they can be used as a source of fibre for ruminants since there is large banana production and consequently some waste. The samples were collected and dried in an oven with a controlled air flow. They were then sprinkled with a sodium hydroxide solution (2, 4, 6 and 8% of dry matter) and placed in a suitable container. The chemical properties were analysed. The results show that sodium hydroxide treatment leads to a significant decrease in neutral fibre and acid lignin contents in both leaves and pseudostems. A significant (p M. acuminata was 6 and 8%.