Eco-Friendly Utilisation of Agricultural Coproducts – Enhancing Ruminant Feed Digestibility through Synergistic Fungal Co-Inoculation with Fusarium solani, Fusarium oxysporum, and Penicillium chrysogenum
			
	
 
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				Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 11201, Zitoune Meknes City, Morocco
				 
			 
										
				
				
		
		 
			
			
		
		
		
		
		
		
	
							
					    		
    			 
    			
    				    					Corresponding author
    					    				    				
    					Mohamed  Benaddou   
    					Moulay Ismail University of Meknes, BP 11201, Zitoune Meknes City, Morocco
    				
 
    			
				 
    			 
    		 		
			
																	 
		
	 
		
 
 
Ecol. Eng. Environ. Technol. 2023; 8:120-132
		
 
 
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ABSTRACT
This study aims to explore the synergistic effects of co-inoculation with Fusarium solani (F.s), Fusarium oxysporum (F.o), and Penicillium chrysogenum (P.ch) to enhance the digestibility and quality of lignocellulosic biomass for ruminant feeding. Wheat straw (WS), olive pomace (OP), and cedar wood (CW) were assessed as substrates. Results indicated varying impacts on lignin loss (L_loss), cellulose improvement (C_imp), and In Vitro True Digestibility improvement (IVTD_imp). F.o and P.ch co-inoculation exhibited the highest mean L_loss (53.74%), surpassing F.s and P.ch co-inoculation (18.23%) and F.s and F.o co-inoculation (19.23%). F.o_P.ch co-inoculation notably increased cellulose content (C_imp = 29.86 ± 18.19%) and IVTD_imp (40.74% ± 20.51%), while F.o_F.s showed minimal IVTD_imp (0.14 ± 11.42%). Substrates differed in fiber change and dry matter loss, with OP having the highest C_imp (25.6 ± 20.7%). Treatment duration influenced L_loss and IVTD_imp, increasing from 4 to 12 weeks. Co-inoculating F.o and P.ch enhances lignin degradation and biomass digestibility, improving their suitability for ruminant feed. Thoughtful selection of fungal combinations is crucial for optimizing co-inoculation. These findings support the utilisation of lignocellulosic biomass in ruminant feed.