Apparent digestibility of nutrients in diets based on dried Okara (Solid residue from soy milk and cheese production) in growing rabbits in Benin
Paper Details
Apparent digestibility of nutrients in diets based on dried Okara (Solid residue from soy milk and cheese production) in growing rabbits in Benin
Abstract
In order to valorize okara, a locally available agricultural co-product in Benin, a seven day in vivo digestibility trial was conducted at a research station. The objective was to evaluate apparent digestibility coefficients of nutrients in diets based on dried okara (DO), used as a total substitute for soybean meal in growing rabbits. Three iso-protein and iso-energy diets (A0, control diet: 0% DO; A10: 10% DO; A20: 20% DO) were tested on eighteen growing rabbits with an average live weight of 1759 ± 80.18 g, distributed into three homogeneous groups according to a Randomized Complete Block Design. Feed intake slightly decreased with the inclusion of DO (71.4–72.6 g DM/day) compared to the control (78.6 g DM/day). However, overall digestive efficiency remained stable, and the ADC of dry matter (73–79%) and organic matter (74–81%) were not significantly (p > 0.05) affected. The digestibility of Crude Protein remained constant (70–73%), confirming the good biological value of okara nitrogen. Crude fiber was better used with diet A20 (56.2%), while a peak in fat digestibility (91%) and total ash digestibility (76.7%) was observed with diet A10. These results show that dried okara can be incorporated up to 20% in the diet of growing rabbits, providing a local and sustainable alternative to soybean meal for the formulation of efficient rabbit feeds in tropical regions.
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Atchadé Ghislaine Sègbédji Théodora*, Edénakpo Kocou Aimé, Yètomè Amour, Bonou Gbodja Gilbert, Houndonougbo Mankpondji Frédéric, Mensah Guy Apollinaire, 2026. Apparent digestibility of nutrients in diets based on dried Okara (Solid residue from soy milk and cheese production) in growing rabbits in Benin. Int. J. Biosci., 28(4), 155-163.
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