Pemanfaatan Limbah Tongkol Jagung (Zea Mays L.) yang Difermentasi Menggunakan Ma-11 untuk Menurunkan Serat Kasar dengan Dosis yang Berbeda

Abstract

This study was motivated by the large amount of agricultural waste, particularly corn waste in the form of corn cobs (Zea mays L.), which has not been optimally utilized and is generally considered to have little economic value. One effort to utilize this waste is to process corn cobs into an alternative feed for ruminants through fermentation using MA-11 as a bioactivator or decomposer starter inoculum. This study aimed to determine the nutritional content of corn cobs after fermentation with MA-11 and to evaluate the effectiveness and potential of MA-11 in reducing crude fiber content. The study employed an experimental method using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), consisting of three MA-11 concentrations, namely 1%, 3%, and 7%, along with a negative control of 0%. The observed parameters included crude fiber reduction, color, and aroma of the fermented material or silage. The results showed that MA-11 contains beneficial microorganisms capable of decomposing organic matter and contributing to the fermentation process. The concentration of MA-11 and fermentation duration had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on crude fiber content. Higher concentrations of MA-11 and longer fermentation periods resulted in a greater reduction in crude fiber content. Fermentation for 3 days produced the best results in reducing crude fiber, thereby improving the quality and digestibility of corn cobs as a livestock feed ingredient.