Chemical and Physical Quality of Sago (Metroxylon sago Rottb.) Waste Based Wafer Complete Ration for Aceh Beef Cattle

Abstract

Sago (Metroxylon sago Rottb.) waste up till now had not been exploited in optimal and only partly small are applied as component of feed, especially for ruminant. The potential of sago as animal feed is quite large and will increase in value when processed into wafer complete ration. This experiment was conducted to study chemical and physical quality of sago waste based wafer complete ration which were preserved in various different periods. Determination of chemical and physical variables of wafer complete ration were color, texture, smell, water content, specific density, water activity, and storage capacity. Data were analyzed by analysis to completely randomized factorial design with two factors (A: the levels of sago waste used in wafer complete ration 10.20, 30, and 40%, B: storage time of 2, 4, 6, and 8 weeks). The results indicated that the wafer complete ration with various different formulations did not affect specific density and water activity. A significant different (P<0.05) was observed in water content with the highest water value in ration containing 40% sago waste. The period of preservation effect was significant (P<0.05) on water content, density and specific density, but did not influence water activity texture and smell. The preserved wafer complete ration for six weeks were still in good condition, but after eight weeks the wafer started to change in physical texture. It is concluded that sago waste based wafer complete ration has high quality in terms of physical and has storage capacity to keep in good condition for six weeks.