Chemical characterization and digestibility of tomato processing residues in sheep

Samples (5 kg HB) from eight national tomato processing factories were taken to evaluate the chemical composition and in vitro digestibility of tomato processing residues (TPR) in ruminants. Twenty crossbred West African lambs of 40.6 kg liveweight were distributed in a completely randomized design to evaluate the apparent in vivo digestibility (IVD) of rations. Cynodon dactylon (6 % CP and 43 % ODM hay was supplied as base diet or substituted by 25, 50, 75 and 100 % tomato processing residues. All animals were offered water ad libitum and I % of a mineral commercial mixture was added to the diet. The TPR showed high protein (20.1 +/- 1.6 %) and ether extract (12.0 +/- 2.7 %) contents. Neutral detergent fibre was also high (52.9 6.7 %), limiting the use of this feedstuff in non-ruminant species. The addition of more than 75 % TPR in rations based on low quality grasses increased (P < 0.01) organic matter consumption and the apparent digestibility of mixtures. This is associated with the high protein and ether extract content of this by-product. Its high humidity (79.5 %) level should be considered in transportation and conservation strategies for its effective utilization in animal production systems.