Determination of digestibility and digestible energy of dry velvet (Mucuna pruriens) forage in guinea pigs

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the apparent digestibility coefficients and digestible energy of dry velvet bean fodder (Mucuna pruriens). The indirect method was used, considering as a basal diet the concentrate used in the university guinea pig farm (Lima, Peru). The experiment had an adaptation phase (14 days) and a faecal collection phase (5 days). Ten adult male 3-month old guinea pigs randomly distributed in individual metabolic cages were used. Five animals were fed the basal diet and the other five with the experimental diet: 80% basal diet and 20% dry velvet bean fodder. The apparent digestibility coefficients obtained for the dry velvet bean were: 66.29% dry matter, 66.13% organic matter, 74.02% crude protein, 50.82% crude fibre, 60.18% ether extract, 78.22% nitrogen-free extract and 73.33% ash. The estimated digestible energy value was 2.61 kcal/g.