Swine farming is one of the efforts that can support government programs in meeting the needs of animal food to improve the nutrition of Indonesian people. Although most Indonesian people do not consume products derived from pork, pork is a contributor to the country’s foreign exchange. Because it is an export commodity to Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong.
Data from the Directorate General of Animal Husbandry and Animal Health in 2018 shows that the export of pigs in the last six years has continued to increase. In 2014, as many as 403,720 pigs were exported and then increased to 455,742 in 2018.
However, swine farming is constrained by the high price of feed ingredients, most of which are grain (corn, soybean meal, rice bran) and often compete with human needs so that the availability is not sustainable. Therefore, it is necessary to manufacture alternative feed to reduce production costs.
These problems attracted the attention of the teaching staff of the department of nutrition and animal feed, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Sam Ratulangi University, Manado, Ir. Stelly Novaria Rumerung, MP to conduct research. Together with promoters consisting of prof. Dr. Ir. Siti Chuzaemi, MS., IPU.ASEAN Eng, Dr. Ir. Osfar Sjofjan, M.Sc., IPU.ASEAN Eng, and Prof. Dr. Ir. Bernat Tulung, DEA, he carries the title “Biofermentation of Dadap Leaf Flour (Erythrina variegata Linn.) With Pleurotus ostreatus and Its Effect on the Appearance of Weaning Pigs.”
According to her, dadap leaves which are cheap, abundant, and easy to obtain, can be used as alternative feed in pig rations. This tree legume plant from the fabaceae family contains 23-26% protein, 3902 kcal / kg gross energy, and high fiber component content.
In Indonesia so far, its use is only for ruminant livestock, while non-ruminant livestock such as pigs have not been widely used. Reminds the limited ability of pigs to digest fiber components.
In making alternative feed, dadap leaves are fermented by solid substrate and the pleurotus ostreatus fungus is added. So that it can degrade fiber components (hemicellulose, cellulose, lignin) so that it is easily digested and maximize the growth of pigs both in quantity and quality. The pleurotus ostreatus fungus produces extracellular enzymes that can degrade lignin effectively.
In the research process, Stelly carried out two stages aimed at analyzing the best inoculum level and incubation time in the fermentation process of dadap leaf flour with Pleurotus ostreatus fungus. Furthermore, determined the best nutrient content of fermentation for dadap leaf flour.
The conclusion obtained from this study is that the pleurotus ostreatus fungus can degrade Dadap leaf powder in a solid fermentation process with an incubation time of seven days. The results of this fermentation increase crude protein content, gross energy and reduce levels of crude fiber, crude fat and fiber components. In terms of quality, the use of fermented leaf meal in feed up to 15%, did not affect the percentage of carcass, water binding capacity, and thickness of back fat. But reduce cooking losses and meat cholesterol levels. So it can improve the production performance both in quantity and quality, so it is recommended as an alternative feed material for pigs.
Stelly is a student of the Animal Science Doctoral Program at the Postgraduate Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Brawijaya (Fapet UB). The lecturer who specializes in Pig Animal Nutrition has held an open dissertation exam online, Monday (30/11/2020) to get doctorate. (dta/ Humas UB/ Trans. Iir)
