The apparent digestibility of alkali-treated willow (Salix aquatica var. gigantia) when fed to sheep

Dried, ground willow (Salix aquatica) treated with 33 g sodium hydroxide kg^?1 (7.5M solution) was fed to sheep in pelleted diets containing 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 g treated willow kg^?1. Apparent digestibility coefficients of dietary dry matter, organic matter and energy declined linearly with increasing content of treated willow. Extrapolation of these relationships gave estimated apparent digestibility values for treated willow of 0.42 and 0.40 for dry matter (DM) and gross energy respectively. The apparent digestibility of acid-detergent fibre was shown to be 0.36. The metabolisable energy content of the treated willow was calculated to be 5.7 MJ kg^?1 DM. The high copper content (579 mg kg^?1) of the treated willow did not appear to have any deleterious effects on the animals during this short-term experiment as shown by the normal liver copper concentrations in the sheep at the end of the experiment.     

Digestibility of silages in relation to their hydroxycinnamic acid content and lignin composition

BACKGROUND: The effectiveness of the analysis of cell wall‐bound hydroxycinnamic acids and the composition of lignin to evaluate the in vivo digestibility of a silage collection with unknown botanical composition was evaluated. RESULTS: Syringyl units content and total etherified phenols showed the highest correlation coefficients with in vivo dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) (r = ? 0.792 and r = ? 0.703, respectively), while guaiacyl units and total phenols showed the highest correlation coefficients with in vivo organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) (r = ? 0.871 and r = ? 0.817, respectively). Using the above‐mentioned chemical parameters, 10 equations were also developed to predict in vivo digestibility. The prediction of IVDMD produced a high adjusted R² value (0.710) using syringyl, total lignin, etherified total phenols, esterified ferulic acid and total phenol content as predictors. The prediction of IVOMD produced a higher adjusted R² value (0.821) using guaiacyl, total phenols, total ferulic acid and etherified p‐coumaric acid content as predictors. CONCLUSION: Cell wall digestibility depends on a multiplicity of factors and it is not possible to attribute a causal effect on in vivo digestibility to any single factor. However, syringyl and guaiacyl content and etherified phenols emerge as good predictors of digestibility. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

The use of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) to predict the composition of whole maize plants

Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) was used to predict the chemical composition of whole maize plants (Zea mays L) in breeding programmes at INIA La Estanzuela, Uruguay. Four hundred samples (n = 400) were scanned from 400 to 2500 nm in an NIRS 6500 monochromator (NIRSystems, Silver Spring, MD, USA). Modified partial least squares (MPLS) regression was applied to scatter‐corrected spectra (SNV and detrend). Calibration models for NIRS measurements gave multivariate correlation coefficients of determination (R²) and standard errors of cross‐validation (SECV) of 0.72 (SECV 9.5), 0.96 (SECV 7.7), 0.98 (SECV 16.5), 0.96 (SECV 34.3), 0.98 (SECV 17.8) and 0.98 (SECV 6.1) for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) and ash in g kg⁻¹ on a dry weight basis respectively. This paper shows the potential of NIRS to predict the chemical composition of whole maize plants as a routine method in breeding programmes and for farmer advice. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Digestible nutrients and available (ATP) energy contents of two varieties of kiwifruit (Actinidia deliciosa and Actinidia chinensis)

A model, which combines a dual in vivo–in vitro digestibility assay and stoichiometric relationships describing nutrient catabolism, has been recently developed to allow prediction of the available energy (AE) content of a food in terms of its ATP yield. The model uses the growing pig as an in vivo model for upper gastrointestinal tract digestion in humans. Terminal ileal digesta from the pig are incubated with human faecal inocula (in vitro fermentation model) to simulate human hindgut fermentation. The respective in vivo and in vitro digestibility assays provide predictions of the ileal absorbed and hindgut-fermented nutrient contents of a food which are then used to predict ATP production post-absorption, based on known stoichiometric relationships. In this study, the model was used to determine the AE contents of fresh, ripe Hayward (Actinidia deliciosavar Hayward) and Hort16A (Actinidia chinensis var Hort16A) kiwifruit. Kiwifruit pulp, containing 3 g kg⁻¹ of titanium dioxide, included as an indigestible marker, was fed to growing pigs and terminal ileal digesta were collected. Ileal nutrient digestibilities were determined. A sample of digesta was incubated in vitro with a fresh human faecal inoculum and the fermentable organic matter determined. The predicted available (ATP) energy contents of the Hayward and Hort16A kiwifruits were 5.9 and 6.2 kJ g⁻¹ dry matter, respectively, approximately 44–47% of the determined apparent digestible energy (ADE) content. The AE contents of the kiwifruit, expressed relative to the AE content of dextrin (a highly digestible source of glucose) were 0.57 and 0.61 for Hayward and Hort16A, respectively. Comparable ratios for metabolisable energy (ME) were 0.74 and 0.73. The predicted AE from kiwifruit was much lower than the predicted ME from kiwifruit when compared to dextrin. The ME values overestimate the energy content of kiwifruit that is available to the cell. AE was not only lower than ME but the two energy systems ranked the kiwifruit types differently in terms of energy supply to the body. The relatively low energy content per unit of dry matter and high water content of kiwifruit make kiwifruit an ideal weight loss food.     

Influence of saponins and tannins on intake and nutrient digestion of alkaloid-containing foods

BACKGROUND: We hypothesized that eating a food containing saponins (SAP), or tannins (TAN) prior to foods containing the alkaloids gramine (GRA) or 5‐methoxy‐N,N‐dimethyltryptamine (TRP) would provide benefits not possible when the alkaloid‐containing foods were eaten alone. METHODS: In Trial 1, four groups of five lambs were first offered food with SAP for 30 min followed by food with either GRA or TRP for 3.5 h in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of a completely randomized design that included alkaloid (GRA or TRP) with or without SAP. In Trial 2 TAN replaced SAP. All foods were isocaloric (3.3 Mcal kg^?1) and isonitrogenous (14% crude protein). Foods, fecal and urine samples were collected and analyzed for dry matter intake and apparent digestibility of dry matter, energy (in megajoules, MJ), nitrogen (N), and neutral detergent fiber. RESULTS: Supplemental SAP did not affect digestibility of the parameters tested (P > 0.10). Supplemental TAN increased digestibility of N (g kg^?1, P = 0.04), N retained (g day^?1, P = 0.07), N digested (g day^?1, P = 0.06), and N retained/N consumed (g kg^?1, P = 0.07). However, digestibilities of dry matter (g kg^?1, P = 0.0026), energy (MJ 1000 MJ^?1, P = 0.003), neutral detergent fiber (g kg^?1, P = 0.008), and digested N retained (g kg^?1, P = 0.07) were lower for lambs fed TAN than for unsupplemented animals. CONCLUSIONS: Tannin supplementation can improve retention of nitrogen in animals fed alkaloid‐containing grasses such as reed canarygrass and tall fescue. Combinations of forages with complementary primary and secondary compounds enable animals to maintain intake and improve nutrient utilization. Copyright © 2012 Society of Chemical Industry     

The determination of water‐soluble vitamins and in vitro digestibility of selected Czech cheeses

Water‐soluble vitamins, in vitro organic matter digestibility (OMD) and dry matter digestibility (DMD) values were determined in various different Czech cheeses. An HPLC method for the simultaneous determination of niacin, pantothenic acid and pyridoxine in cheese was established. Different hydrolysis conditions and enzymes were used to release these vitamins from their complex form. The cheeses contained on average 2.04 mg of niacin, 3.24 mg of pantothenic acid and 2.16 mg of pyridoxine per 100 g of fresh mass. An enzymatic method was applied for the evaluation of OMD and DMD in cheeses. In vitro digestibility values ranged from 83.29% to 99.99% for organic matter (OMD) and 83.33% to 99.87% for dry matter (DMD) after two different enzymatic digestions (pepsin, pancreatin). In addition, cheeses incubated with pepsin plus pancreatin, OMD and DMD were strongly digested (99.04–99.83%, 97.73–99.74%).     

A cellulase digestion technique for predicting the dry matter digestibility of grasses

A digestion technique using a commercially-available crude cellulase preparation from Trichoderma viride is described. The enzyme showed cellulase, hemicellulase and proteolytic activity when tested on herbage or herbage polysaccharides. A high correlation (r = 0.92, P < 0.001, residual standard deviation 2.5) was found between a simple one stage enzyme digestion and in vivo dry matter digestibility for a range of grass species and varieties. In vitro dry matter digestibility and detergent fibre were also determined on the same samples and the results correlated with in vivo dry matter digestibility. The cellulase method is rapid and reproducible and particularly well suited for the evaluation of plant material in breeding programmes.     

Prediction of the digestibility of the dry matter of tropical forages from their solubility in fungal cellulase solutions.

Correlations between in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility and amount of DM dissolved in acid pepsin and cellulase enzymes for 24 tropical forage samples gave a value of 0.91 but a high sample standard deviation of 6.50 and a coefficient of variation of 25 %. This suggests that the cellulase technique requires further study if it were to be used as a predictor of rumen liquor in vitro digestibility values for tropical grasses and legumes. An improved correlation of r = 0.98 with sample standard deviation of 2.29 was obtained when percent DM dissolved in acid-pepsin and cellulase enzymes was compared with the in vivo dry matter digestibility values of 11 tropical forage grasses and legumes. This result suggests that the pepsin-cellulase technique may be used to predict in vivo DM digestibility values in tropical grasses and legumes.     

Ruminal degradation of tannin‐treated legume meals

The inefficiency of protein utilisation by ruminants fed protein concentrates (based on legume meals) causes serious economic loss and environmental damage owing to their rapid hydrolysis and deamination in the rumen. Thus efforts aimed at slowing the ruminal fermentation of such feeds are needed, and recent studies have observed potentially positive effects of tannins on ruminant nutrition under certain circumstances. Tannins are a complex group of naturally occurring plant polyphenols characterised by their ability to bind with proteins. This property of tannins is considered responsible for the decreased ruminal digestibility of forages both in vivo and in vitro. Under that perspective, commercial tannic acid was added at three proportions (10, 25 and 50 g kg^?1 on a dry matter basis) to four different legume meals (horse bean, kidney bean, soybean and pea), and the effect on in situ dry matter and crude protein ruminal disappearance was assessed. The results confirmed the dose‐dependent (although not persistent after 48 h) slowing of in situ digestibility, this effect being significant at the highest tannin treatment when compared with untreated samples. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that soybean seed endosperm cell walls were protected from digestion by the ruminal microbiota, while the digestion of starch granules was relatively unaffected by tannic acid. Electrophoresis of the protein fractions confirmed the lower digestibility of tannin‐treated seeds as well as the relative lack of alteration of the electrophoretic profile of individual proteins. Implications for the digestion of concentrates in ruminants are discussed. Copyright © 2004 Society of Chemical Industry     

Modified wood waste and straw as potential components of animal feeds

Beech, oak and poplar sawdusts and barley straw were modified by physical, chemical and fungal treatments and then evaluated for their possible usefulness as components of animal feeds by measuring their digestibility using a rumen liquor-acid pepsin in vitro method. The most successful modification of sawdust was achieved by fungal treatment with Fomes lividus followed by NaOH treatment. The apparent organic matter digestibility (o.m.d.) of beech was increased from 5 to 59, and of oak sapwood from 14 to 56. By the same treatments, the o.m.d. of straw was increased from 46 to 70.     

Acacia saligna as a fodder tree for desert livestock and the interaction of its tannins with fibre fractions

Acacia saligna was examined as potential fodder for sheep (27.4 kg) and goats (14.8 kg) raised in arid and semi-arid areas. This leguminous tree remains green all year and can be grown in deserts using only runoff water. Phyllodes collected in March had a crude protein content of 12.5% dry matter (DM) and high tannin content (tannins as tannic acid equivalent to 11.3% and condensed tannins as leucocyanidin equivalent to 8.3% DM). DM intake was low, amounting to 0.80% and 1.05% body mass daily for sheep and goats, respectively. Sheep lost 227 g day^?1 and goats 196 g day^?1 while on this diet. Dry matter, organic matter and energy digestibilities were low in both species but were higher for goats than for sheep, and negative digestibilities were measured for acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid detergent lignin (ADL). Metabolisable energy intake for goats was 121.9 kJ kg^?0.75 day^?1 and for sheep was 78.6 kJ kg^?0.75 day^?1. Apparent N digestibility was 17.5% and 0.9% for goats and sheep, respectively, and both species were in negative N balance of 0.25–0.30 g kg^?0.75 day^?1. Total water intake and output were higher in sheep than in goats. Extractable tannins were virtually absent in faeces in both species, however, output of condensed tannins and protein in the ADF and ADL fractions were substantially higher. This showed the presence of tannin-protein complexes in these fractions which explained the negative digestibilities of ADF and ADL. It was concluded that Acacia saligna could not be used as a sole dietary source for small ruminants because of low intake and negative nitrogen balance. This was due mainly to the high tannin content. However, the tree might have a potential as a supplementary fodder due to its high crude protein content.     

Nutritive evaluation of herbage from permanent meadows by near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy: 1. Prediction of chemical composition and in vitro digestibility

This study was implemented to evaluate the potential of near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) technology to estimate the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of botanically complex herbage mixtures characterised, moreover, by a noteworthy variation among samples in the maturity of the forage plants. A total of 107 herbage samples harvested from permanent meadows located in the uplands of León (northwestern Spain) were analysed to determine their chemical composition. In addition, the in vitro digestibility of each herbage sample was measured by two different in vitro procedures using buffered rumen fluid. A Bran + Luebbe InfraAlyzer 500 spectrophotometer was used to obtain the near‐infrared spectra corresponding to each herbage sample. Prediction equations developed for the estimation of the chemical components showed that NIRS technology could predict these parameters accurately, especially the crude protein and neutral detergent fibre contents ( in both cases). In vitro digestibility parameters could also be predicted with an acceptable degree of accuracy using NIRS technology, particularly the in vitro Tilley and Terry organic matter digestibility ( , standard error of prediction (SEP) = 2.165% organic matter) and the in vitro dry matter true digestibility measured according to the Goering and Van Soest procedure ( , SEP = 2.208% dry matter). Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry     

Production,milk iodine,and nutrient utilization in Jersey cows supplemented with the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum (kelp meal) during the grazing season

Kelp meal (KM) is a supplement made from the brown seaweed Ascophyllum nodosum, known to bioaccumulate iodine (I) and to be the richest source of phlorotannins, which can inhibit ruminal proteolysis and microbial growth. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of KM on production, milk I, concentrations of blood metabolites, apparent total-tract digestibility of nutrients, and CH₄ emissions in grazing dairy cows. Eight multiparous Jersey cows averaging (mean ± SD) 175 ± 60 d in milk and 12 primiparous Jersey cows averaging 142 ± 47 d in milk at the beginning of the study were assigned to either 0 g/d of KM (control diet, CTRL) or 113 g/d of KM (brown seaweed diet, BSW) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were formulated to yield a 70:30 forage-to-concentrate ratio and consisted of (dry matter basis): 48% cool-season perennial herbage and 52% partial TMR (pTMR). Each experimental period (n = 3) lasted 28 d, with data and sample collection taking place during the last 7 d of each period. Cows had approximately 16.5 h of access to pasture daily. Herbage dry matter intake increased, and total dry matter intake tended to increase in cows fed BSW versus the CTRL diet. Milk yield and concentrations and yields of milk components were not affected by diets. Similarly, blood concentrations of cortisol, glucose, fatty acids, and thyroxine did not change with feeding CTRL or BSW. However, a diet × period interaction was observed for milk I concentration; cows offered the BSW diet had greater milk I concentration during periods 1, 2, and 3, but the largest difference between BSW and CTRL was observed in period 2 (579 vs. 111 µg/L, respectively). Except for period 2, the concentration of milk I in cows fed KM did not exceed the 500 µg/L threshold recommended for human consumption. Diet × period interactions were also found for serum triiodothyronine concentration, total-tract digestibilities of crude protein and acid detergent fiber, CH₄ production, and urinary excretion of purine derivatives. Overall, the lack of KM effects on milk yield and concentrations and yields of milk components indicate that dairy producers should consider costs before making KM supplementation decisions during the grazing season. Future research is needed to evaluate the concentration of I in retail organic milk because of the high prevalence of KM supplementation in northeastern and midwestern US organic dairies and possibly in other regions of the country.     

In vitro digestibility of processed and fermented soya bean,cowpea and maize

Tropical legumes, ie soya bean and cowpea, were pre‐treated and subsequently fermented using pure cultures of Rhizopus spp. Impact of soaking, cooking and fermentation of the legumes on their digestibility was determined using an in vitro digestion method. Processing of white maize included, amongst others, natural lactic acid fermentation, cooking and saccharification using barley malt. An in vitro method was standardised to carry out comparative determinations of the dry matter digestibility of cereal and legume food samples as a function of processing conditions, without attempting to exactly mimic gastrointestinal digestion. Using this method based on upper digestive tract digestion, it was observed that digestibility of the legumes increased during cooking and fermentation. Cooking improved the total digestibility of both soya bean and cowpea from 36.5 to 44.8% and from 15.4 to 40.9% respectively. Subsequent fungal fermentation increased total digestibility only by about 3% for both soya bean and cowpea. Digestibility was also influenced by fungal strain and fermentation time. Cooking and subsequent saccharification using malt almost tripled total digestibility of white maize from 25.5 to 63.6%, whereas lactic fermentation of maize had no effect on in vitro dry matter digestibility. Although total digestibility of cooked legumes was only slightly improved by mould fermentation (3% for both soya bean and cowpea), the level of water‐soluble dry matter of food samples increased during fermentation with Rhizopus oryzae from 7.0 up to 27.3% for soya bean and from 4.3 up to 24.1% for cowpea. These fermented products could therefore play a role as sources of easily available nutrients for individuals suffering from digestive disorders. © 2000 Society of Chemical Industry     

Fibrolytic potential of anaerobic fungi (Piromyces sp.) isolated from wild cattle and blue bulls in pure culture and effect of their addition on in vitro fermentation of wheat straw and methane emission by rumen fluid of buffaloes

BACKGROUND: Ten isolates of anaerobic fungi of Piromyces genus from wild cattle and blue bulls (five isolates from each host species) were evaluated for their fibrolytic ability in pure culture, their suitability for use as a microbial additive in buffaloes and their effect on methane emission. RESULTS: In pure culture, only two out of five isolates from wild cattle degraded wheat straw efficiently, whereas all five isolates from wild blue bulls did. Isolate CF1 (from cattle) showed the highest apparent digestibility (53.4%), true digestibility (70.8%) and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (75.0%) of wheat straw after 5 days of incubation. When added to buffalo rumen fluid, all five isolates from cattle increased (P < 0.05) in vitro apparent digestibility of wheat straw compared with the control (received autoclaved culture), but all five isolates from blue bulls failed to influence in vitro digestibility of wheat straw. Isolate CF1 showed the highest stimulating effect on straw digestion by buffalo rumen fluid microbes and increased apparent digestibility (51.9 vs 29.4%, P < 0.05), true digestibility (57.9 vs 36.5%, P < 0.05) and neutral detergent fibre digestibility (51.5 vs 26.9%, P < 0.05) of wheat straw compared with the control after 24 h of fermentation. There were also significant increases in fungal count and enzyme activities of carboxymethylcellulase and xylanase in the CF1‐added group compared with the control group. Gas and methane production g^?1 truly digested dry matter of straw were comparable among all groups including the control. CONCLUSION: Wild cattle and blue bulls harbour some anaerobic fungal strains with strong capability to hydrolyse fibre. The fungal isolate CF1 has high potential for use as a microbial feed additive in buffaloes to improve digestibility of fibrous feeds without increasing methane emission per unit of digested feed. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry     

Ensilage of whole-crop barley. I.—Effects of variety and stage of growth

The chemical composition and nutritive value of each of eight varieties of barley were examined at seven stages of growth. There were differences between some varieties at certain stages of growth but these were small. Dry matter content increased with increasing maturity while water-soluble carbohydrate content increased to the milky ripe stage and then fell sharply. In vitro organic matter digestibility was a maximum at the mealy ripe stages of growth. The optimum stage of growth for cutting barley for ensilage is discussed. Silage was made from barley cut at the early mealy ripe stage of growth, in small tower silos. There was no effluent, and fermentation losses were low. The in vivo digestibility of the silage organic matter was 65.5%.     

Predicting dry matter digestibility from acid detergent fibre levels in grasses as affected by a pretreatment with neutral detergent

Acid detergent fibre was determined on 50 grass samples of known in vivo dry matter digestibility with and without a preliminary extraction with neutral detergent. Pretreatment with neutral detergent reduced the mean yield of acid detergent fibre from 41.5 to 36.8%. This decrease in acid detergent fibre was mainly due to a reduction in the level of ash which accounted for 57% of the difference in fibre level. The error in predicting dry matter digestibility of all feeds from acid detergent fibre was ±3.5 digestibility units and was increased to ±3.8 units following neutral detergent pretreatment. When acid detergent fibre was expressed on an ash-free basis the corresponding residual standard deviations were ±4.4 and ±4.5 units, respectively. It was concluded that a pretreatment with neutral detergent or expressing results on an ash-free basis did not improve the accuracy in predicting dry matter digestibility from acid detergent fibre.     

Nutritional and fertiliser values of Suaeda vera J. F. Gmelin

Suaeda vera J. F. Gmelin, a shrub that is a frequent halophyte in the upper, clayish zones of the Guadalquivir river marshes, is an interesting fodder plant for the local livestock during dry periods, especially as a N supplement. Ash, Na, P, K, Mn, Ca/P, K/Ca+Mg, neutral detergent fibre, cellulose, lignin, dry matter digestibility, organic and protein N, free amino acids, and reducing and total soluble sugars have been determined in the branches and leaves of Suaeda plants and compared with these constituents in other species from the marshes, including grasses and legumes. In spite of its high Na and ash contents, Suaeda shows an adequate composition for the nutrition of local livestock, even when the plant grows in a sandy area. However, after a long dry period, P and some microelements decline to low levels. Suaeda vera seems also to be a useful plant for incorporation into the soil, because of its relatively high N content even in plants taken from a sandy area.     

Use of in-vitro gas production to evaluate rumen fermentation of untreated and urea treated finger millet straw (Eleusine coracand) supplemented with different levels of concentrate

Measurement of gas produced during in-vitro fermentation was used to assess the ferment ability of urea treated and untreated finger millet straw to Which various levels of concentrate (maize/wheat bran/groundnut cake 35:32: 30) had been added. Data obtained from this technique were compared with in-vitro digestibility data obtained earlier on the same feeds. Similar trends for the effect of supplementation on digestibility were observed in both in-vitro and in-vivo measurements. Linear correlation equations were obtained between gas produced and the proportion of dry matter disappearing, enabling in-vitro gas production to be expressed in in-vitro digestibility's. A single pool exponential equation was fitted to the gas production data enabling estimates to be made of the time when in-vitro digestibility's best matched in-vivo digestibility data. These times were 45.8 and 47.9 h of untreated straw, 43.5 and 61.0 h for treated straw for trials 1 and 2, respectively. Statistically significant (P < 0.05) interactive effects between supplement and both treated and untreated straws were observed. The digestibility of untreated straw was particularly stimulated by small quantities of supplement. The digestibility of treated straw was higher than that of untreated straw and less stimulated by supplementation. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that fibre digestibility can be increased by providing a supplement which provides sufficient nutrients to stimulate the activity of rumen micro organisms.     

Nutritive value of cassava root meal enriched by trichoderma harzianum for chickens

A study was conducted with chickens to establish the content of metabolisable energy (ME) and the content and apparent digestibility of crude protein (CP) and amino acids (AA) in cassava root meal (CRM) enriched by the fungus Trichoderma harzianum. The ME content of this enriched CRM was found to be about 9.1 MJ kg^?1 dry matter (DM). This value was significantly lower (P<0.05) than that of non-enriched CRM (12.2 MJ kg^?1 DM). The CP content of the enriched CRM product used was 37.6 on DM basis. The non-protein nitrogen content accounted for about 30% of the total CP value. The mean apparent digestibility coefficient of the CP was about 66% whereas that of AA was about 81%. Data from this study indicate that fungal enriched CRM could be used in chicken diets.