IN SITU DIGESTIBILITY OF FOUR CACTUS PEAR (OPUNTIA SPP.) SPECIES

There are relatively few studies related to the real utilization of the forage cactus pear nutrients. This study was undertaken for the determination of in situ dry matter digestibility (ISDMD) and chemical analysis of four cactus species: (Opuntia lindheimeri var. lindheimeri, O. rastrera, O. megacantha and O. lindheimeri var. subarmatha). The nylon bag technique was used for the determination of the ISDMD. A chemical analysis of the four cactus species was performed. Results showed that the ISDMD of the four cactus species varied from 56 to 86.27%. The ISDMD at 72 h of incubation were 86.27% for O. lindheimeri var. lindheimeri, 54.67% for O. rastrera, 57.25% for O. megacantha and 62.56% for O. lindheimeri var. subarmatha. The chemical analysis found that protein ranged between 5 and 14%; ether extract between 1.62 and 2.09% and crude fiber between 10.7 and 14%.