Vol. 8, Issue 4, Part D (2023)

This study examined the effect of (Natuzyme®) enzyme and fermentation treatments on in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) of mulberry leaf meal (MLM). Pepsin-pancreatin hydrolysis was used in this experiment to mimic the chicken stomach. The MLM was subjected to four treatments replicated 3 times in a completely randomized design (CRD), Treatment 1: enzyme-treated MLM, Treatment 2: untreated MLM, Treatment 3: MLM fermented with Bacillus coagulan and Treatment 4: Naturally fermented MLM. Data on proximate analysis and digestibility were analysed using Statistical Analysis Software SAS version 9.4, general linear model (GLM). Tukey’s test at (p<0.05) was used to do means separation where means were significantly different. This study’s findings showed that the treatment method had a significant effect (p<0.05) on the in-vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). MLM treated with enzyme (Natuzyme®) and Bacillus coagulan had improved IVDMD by 7.31% and 3.99% respectively compared to untreated (p<0.05). Natural fermentation significantly differed from enzyme treatment (p<0.05). Based on the outcome of this research pre-treatment of MLM with enzyme (Natuzyme®) enhanced in-vitro digestibility as compared to untreated, natural, and Bacillus coagulan induced fermentation.