Nutritional Evaluation of Azolla pinnata and Azolla microphylla as Feed Supplements for Dairy Ruminants

Abstract

Azolla is an aquatic plant that has the potential to be used as animal feed due to its high nutritive value and very productive plant. Thus, the objectives of this study are to determine and compare the nutrient and mineral composition of Azolla pinnata and Azolla microphylla. A. pinnata and A. microphylla are aquatic plants that have a high potential to be introduced as a new alternative feed supplement to ruminants. Samples were collected at Ladang Lembah Kaprima Hulu Seladang, Tenox Agribusiness (M) Sdn Bhd, Kampung Seladang, Setiu, Terengganu. The collected samples were dried and ground before the samples were analysed by using proximate analysis and microwave digestion for Induced Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometer (ICP-OES). Six parameters were measured for the proximate analyses which were dry matter, ash, crude protein, ether extract, crude fibre and nitrogen-free extract. The mineral compositions were analyzed for the contents of copper, zinc, iron, calcium and manganese using the ICP-OES. The result shows that A. microphylla contains the highest protein and ether extract content compared to A. pinnata. As in mineral composition, A. pinnata and A. microphylla showed that there were significant differences (p < 0.05) between the two plants. This study revealed that A. microphylla is more suitable to be used as a supplement for dairy ruminants as it contains a more nutritive value in terms of higher crude protein and ether extract that are essential for the ruminant diet.