QUALITY, CHEMICAL AND FERMENTATIVE CHARACTERISTICS in vitro OF ENSILAGE WASTE PAPAYA (Carica papaya L) AND STAR (Cynodon nlemfluensis) GRASS HAY

Abstract

Background. Ripe papaya that does not meet standards for human consumption has the potential to be ensiled with star grass as a moisture absorber, which has the potential as an unconventional ruminant feed. Objective. To determine the quality, nutritional, and in vitro fermentative characteristics of silages made with milled ripe papaya (Carica papaya L) and star (Cynodon nlemfluensis) grass hay as moisture absorber, adding three levels of molasses during 21 and 28 days of lactic fermentation. Methodology. The silos (1.5 Kg) were made with 75% ripe papaya, 25% star grass hay, added with 2% urea and 0, 3 and 6% cane molasses; the silos were fermented for 21 and 28 d. The quality characteristics (pH, lactic acid (LA), ammonia nitrogen (N-NH3) and dry matter (DM)), chemical characteristics (crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF) and ashes (As)) and in vitro fermentation (partial and accumulated production of biogas and methane (CH4), degradation of dry matter (DDM) and degradation of neutral detergent fiber (DNDF) were evaluated). The statistical analysis was a 3x2 factorial arrangement within a completely randomized design, using level of molasses addition and fermentation time as factors. Results. pH, LA, CP and partial biogas at 24 and 48 h showed interaction between factors (p<0.05). Silages with 0% molasses showed lower content of DM, As, accumulated biogas, partial CH4 at 24 h, DDM; as well as, higher NDF, partial CH4 at 72 h. The silages with 6% molasses presented higher DM, As, partial CH4 at 24 h, accumulated CH4 and DDM; in addition, lower NDF, ADF, partial CH4 at 72 h. Silages with 21 d had lower N-NH3, NDF, Ce, Biogas and accumulated CH4, partial CH4 at 24 h and 72 h than at 28 d (p<0.05). The highest pH value was in silages with 28 d and 6% molasses and the highest LA in 28 d silages with 0% molasses (p<0.05). Implications. Ripe papaya silage does not require cane molasses as an additive; there is no effect on the opening of the silos at 21 or 28 d of lactic fermentation. Conclusion. Silage made with ripe papaya and star grass hay as moisture absorber, with urea does not require sugar cane molasses as an additive to maintain its quality, chemical and in vitro fermentation characteristics, which allows inferring that it is an unconventional alternative in the feeding of ruminants.