Determination of chemical composition, mineral content, antioxidant capacity and rumen degradability in various varieties of wasted date palm

Abstract

This experiment was carried out in order to characterise six varieties of wasted date palm (WDP). In particular, chemical composition, including mineral content, phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity of varieties were determined. Dry matter (DM) disappearance in samples was determined at 0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48 h using the in situ method. The results of chemical composition showed that WDP varieties contained 3.23–6.27% Crude Protein (CP), 6.02–32.27% Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF), 3.83–23.97% Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF), and 54.98–88.38% Non-Fibrous Carbohydrate (NFC) (DM basis). Kharak variety had the highest NDF and as result had the lowest NFC compared to other varieties (p < .05). In addition, all varieties were good sources of minerals, especially potassium and calcium. The total phenolic compounds value was in the range of 2.96 to 9.43% where Koloteh variety had the lowest value and Kharak variety had the highest value. The Kharak variety had the highest flavonoids content and antioxidant activity compare to other varieties (p < .05). The result of degradability showed that rapidly degradable fraction (a) of dry matter was high in all varieties except in Kharak. The Estameran had the highest and Kharak had the lowest potentially degradability fraction (D). Thus, according to the results of this experiment, it can be concluded that WDP can be used as part of the diet of ruminants that helps to reduce the costs.

Keywords

• Rumen degradability
• total phenolic compounds
• flavonoids
• in situ method