The influence of increasing levels of pineapple by-product (Ananas comosus L.) on intake (unit metabolic size - UMS) and apparent digestibility (%) of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), hemicelluloses (HCEL) and cellulose (CEL) and energy of isofibrous and isoproteic experimental diets of sheep were evaluated. Energetic and nitrogenous balance were also measured. Twenty rams were randomly allotted to four treatments in a completely randomized design with five replications. The treatments were formulated to contain zero; 11, 16 and 27% of pineapple by-product on DM basis. Higher dry matter intake was observed on 11% pineapple by-product diet. CP, NDF, ADF, CEL intake (g/UMS) and metabolizable energy intake (kcal/UMS) of 11% pineapple by-product diet were higher than 27% pineapple by-product diet (P<0.05). ADF digestibility was higher for 0% pineapple by-product diet. Energy and nitrogenous balances were positives. Diets formulated to contain up to 16% of pineapple by-product presented the best results.
diets; fiber; fruit; nutrition; ruminants; sheep
