Exploring the Potential of Palm Oil Mill Decanter Cake in Sustainable Animal Feed Formulations

Abstract

The cost of animal feed is a major contributor to overall livestock production expenses, particularly in developing countries where feeding resources are often inadequate. Efficient feed management, including recycling agricultural byproducts, presents an opportunity to reduce costs and promote sustainable livestock farming. This study investigates the potential of using palm oil mill decanter cake, a byproduct of palm oil extraction, as a primary crude protein source in ruminant feed formulations. The decanter cake underwent drying, grinding, and mixing with other ingredients to meet the nutritional requirements for goats, followed by field testing. Nutritional analysis showed a high crude protein content of 16.05%, along with significant levels of crude fiber (23%) and crude fat (14.39%). A 23-day feeding trial compared the weight gain of goats fed the formulated feed to those fed commercial feed, with results indicating a higher weight gain in the group consuming the formulated feed. The findings suggest that decanter cake is a viable alternative protein source for animal feed, enhancing livestock performance while utilizing a sustainable agricultural byproduct. This research proposes processes for the commercial production of animal feed from decanter cake and highlights the need for further economic feasibility studies.