Açai seed as an additive in Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa ensiling for ruminant nutrition: An alternative to reduce environmental pollutants

The objective of this study was to evaluate the potential use of açai (Euterpe oleracea) seeds as a moisture sequestrant in Panicum maximum cv. Mombasa grass silage and its potential use in sheep diet. In this study, we conducted two experiments using Mombasa grass silage supplemented with açai seeds at 0, 185, 225, 433, and 520 g.kg−1 dry matter (DM). Experiment 1 was used to evaluate the effect of açai seeds on DM, effluent loss (EL), chemical composition, and fermentation characteristics of the silage, while Experiment 2 was used to evaluate the effect of açai seeds on the intake, digestibility, and nitrogen (N) balance of the sheep fed açai seed-supplemented Mombasa grass silage. In Experiment 1, the DM content of the silages increased, and the EL decreased with an increase in the açai seed concentration (P < 0.05). In Experiment 2, the DM, organic matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber intake increased (P < 0.05), while the digestible energy intake and N balance were unaffected (P > 0.05) with increasing açai seed concentration in the silage. Açai seeds, up to 520 g.kg−1 DM inclusion level, are effective moisture sequestrants in the Mombasa grass silage because they reduce EL, increase the DM recovery of the ensiled material, and increase the DM intake of the animals. Furthermore, the use of açai seeds as additives in silage is beneficial to the environment because of the reduction in waste production from the açai pulp processing and subsequent reduction in the generation of effluents from silage.