Potential for using dehydrated banana peel as an additive in grass silage

Abstract

Among the techniques for conserving forage for herbivore feeding, the production of grass silage has beenwidely used in recent times in tropical regions, however, the low content of dry matter and carbohydrates in these forages can hamper the fermentation of ensiled biomass. In this regard, the dehydrated banana peel presents itself as an alternative as an additive in the production of grass silage. Given the above, the objective of this review was to present the main aspects of the use of dehydrated banana peel as an additive in the production of grass silage. The review was developed through the search for selected terms, such as: “grass silages”, “banana residues”, “additives”. The terms were searched in the Google Scholar, Scielo, PubMed, Elsevier, Science Direct, Capes Periodical databases. The banana peel has bromatological characteristics that make it a good alternative for use in the feeding of ruminants, with carbohydrate values of up to 32.4% of dry matter, as well as a source of protein, ether extract, minerals, and essential amino acids. Because it presents good nutritional values compared to citrus and cassava peel, the banana peel has been used in the feeding of ruminants by small producers in tropical regions, where the use of by-products has the purpose of having lower feeding costs. The use of dehydrated banana peel is an alternative to be used as na additive in the production of grass silage and ruminant feed due to its nutritional characteristics.