Fermentation of palm oil waste by Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oryzae

Attempt to use palm oil waste as an animal feed was carried out through a fermentation of empty fruit bunch (EFB,) palm fiber (PF) and shell (S) using Aspergillus oryzae and Rhizopus oryzae. The two fungi were isolated from palm oil plantation in West Java. Fermentation for 21 days at room temperature decreased both Neutral Detergen Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF) content of all substrates. A. oryzae showed better preference in using the nutrient available in the substrates. Growth of the fungi did not increase the crude protein content of the substrates. Although from the nutrient availability there is possibility in using palm oil waste as animal feed, further study in optimizing the fermentation as well as digestibility of the substrates are needed. (sef, 8-4-2013, kk, ts, klas)