African Journal of
Biotechnology

  • Abbreviation: Afr. J. Biotechnol.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 1684-5315
  • DOI: 10.5897/AJB
  • Start Year: 2002
  • Published Articles: 12487

Full Length Research Paper

Forage crops as substrate for animal feed and ethanol production in Thailand

Pilanee Vaithanomsat*
  • Pilanee Vaithanomsat*
  • Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, 50 Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
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Phanawan Thongsuntie
  • Phanawan Thongsuntie
  • Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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Phatthara Khomkamon
  • Phatthara Khomkamon
  • Kasetsart Agricultural and Agro-Industrial Product Improvement Institute (KAPI), Kasetsart University, 50 Chatuchak, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
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Darunee Srichana
  • Darunee Srichana
  • Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Pathumthani, Thailand.
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  •  Received: 22 October 2014
  •  Accepted: 02 January 2015
  •  Published: 14 January 2015

Abstract

Five forage crops, namely ruzi (Brachiaria ruziziensis), purple guinea (Panicum maximum), atratum (Paspalum atratum), plicatulum (Paspalum plicatulum), and rhodes grass (Chloris gayana), were experimented for their possibility of ethanol and animal feed utilization. All tested forage crops were harvested 45 and 75 days after being planted. The results indicate the effect of harvesting time on their composition, including the contents of cellulose, lignin, and crude protein, thus affecting the ethanol yield and quality of animal feed. Ruzi grass, harvested 45 days after being planted, was shown to be the most suitable substrate for animal feed due to its highest crude protein content (12.49%), whereas purple guinea and atratum grasses provided highest expected yield of ethanol (2,688.40 and 2,613.20 L/ha/year, respectively).

 

Key words: Ethanol, animal feed, forage crops.

Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.

This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0

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