Chemical composition of mulberry pellet containing different leaf-to-stem ratio for rabbit feed

Abstract

Mulberry tree (Morus spp.) is a fast-growing tree, which acts as alternative protein supplies in a partial or complete substitute for industrial feed. Mulberry leaf and stem have a good potential to substitute the commercial pellet in rabbit complete diet. However, in the rabbit pellets, the appropriate proportion of mulberry leaf and stem remains uncertain. Higher protein and less crude fibre than the stem are found in mulberry leaves. Hence, the objective of this study is to characterise the optimum formulation of mulberry leaf-to-stem ratio for rabbit pellet by analysing the proximate and mineral analyses. Four formulations of Mulberry pellet with different mulberry leaf-to-stem ratios were tested; F1 (1:0), F2 (9:1), F3 (7:3), F4 (5:5) with and without the sodium alginate. The crude proteins (CP) of the F1, F2, F3 and F4 with sodium alginate were 21.38%, 19.21%, 15% and 12%, respectively. There was no significant difference of CP contents in mulberry pellet formulations with sodium alginate and without sodium alginate (p>0.05). Meanwhile, the crude fibre (CF) contents of F1, F2, F3 and F4 were 7.91%, 10.76%, 12.56% and 16.26% respectively. In term of mineral analysis, calcium content (%) in the mulberry pellets with sodium alginate showed significantly higher than the pellet without sodium alginate (p<0.05). Considering the rabbit feeding requirement of CP, CF and all nutrients, F3 (7:3) was chosen as the optimum formulation of mulberry leaf-to-stem ratio with sodium alginate as the binding agent.