Fermenting dried maize cobs with the fungus Pleurotus eryngii increased the content of crude protein and in vitro gas production

The objective of this experiment was to determine the nutrients value and total gas production of dried maize cobs (DCC) after fermented with the fungus Pleurotus eryngii. In experiment 1, the dried maize cobs was treated with P. eryngii at the concentrations of 2.5% of wet weight of substrate for 2 and 4 weeks. Each experimental treatment was done in 3 replicates. Results showed that fungal treatment increased the CP content and reduced NDF, ADF and ADL of the DCC. The content of NDF and ADL was lowest, while the content of CP was highest when incubating the DCC with P. eryngii for 4 weeks. In experiment 2, the DCC and fungal treated DCC were incubated for 72h in the buffer rumen fluid mixture. Results showed that total gas production after 72h incubation was highest when the DCC was treated with P. eryngii for 4 weeks. Based on the results mentioned above, it could be concluded that Pleurotus eryngii can be used to improve nutrients value of dried maize cobs in Vietnam.