Potential of Sarson Saag Waste-a Cannery Waste as Ruminant Feed

The nutritional worth of Sarson Saag Waste (SSW), a cannery waste, was assessed in comparison with conventional complete diet as a total mixed ration (TMR), and a conventional green fodder, Avena sativa. Each diet was offered ad libitum, supplemented with mineral mixture and common salt, to 4 male murrah buffaloes. The control TMR was made iso-nitrogenous to SSW. Simultaneously, each diet was offered to 3 rumen fistulated male buffaloes for assessing the biochemical changes in the rumen. The nutrient digestibility of unconventional SSW was comparable to that of conventional green fodder-A. sativa but significantly (p<0.05) higher than that of control TMR. The tri-chloro acetic acid (TCA) precipitable-N in the strained rumen liquor of animals fed SSW was considerably higher than that of animals fed A.sativa. The urinary excretion of total purine derivatives was comparable in animals fed SSW and conventional green fodder but significantly (p<0.05) higher than those fed conventional control TMR. The significantly (p<0.05) lower purine nitrogen index (PNI) in animals fed control TMR resulted in significantly (p<0.05) lower microbial protein synthesis than that in animals fed SSW and conventional green fodder. The N-excretion as per cent of nitrogen intake was significantly (p<0.05) lower in animals fed SSW as compared to either of the conventional feeds tested, resulting in significantly (p<0.05) higher Nretention and apparent biological value. SSW supplemented with mineral mixture could serve as an excellent source of nutrients for ruminants.