Abstract

This study was carried out to evaluate the physicochemical characteristics of partially digested cellulose from abomasums of beef cows in two abattoirs in Bayelsa State. The pH and temperature of partially digested cellulose of a total of one hundred and twenty eight (128) cows was determined at biweekly interval for a period of 8 months (August 2024 to March 2025). Partially digested cellulose samples were also collected from a total of sixteen (16) cows at biweekly interval in the month of August 2024. The samples and raw/fresh undigested feed (Pennisetum purpureum – Elephant grass) of the cattle were analyzed for heavy metals such as Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Zinc (Zn), and Lead (Pb). The results showed that, the temperature of the partially digested cellulose samples after collection ranged from 29°C to 35°C and the pH ranged from 5.5 to 6.0. Iron concentration values (mean ± SD) for P. purpureum before and after digestion at Swali abattoir was 3.14 ± 1.13 mg/kg and 2.54 ± 0.99 mg/kg respectively. While Iron concentration value at Bayelsa Palm abattoir was 3.48 ± 0.53 and 2.85 ± 0.54 respectively. Lead concentration values at Swali abattoir was 0.02 ± 0.00 mg/kg and 0.015 ± 0.006 mg/kg respectively. While Lead concentration at Bayelsa Palm abattoir was 0.04 ± 0.02 and 0.034 ± 0.020 respectively. Results of this study revealed that, heavy metal concentrations of P.purpureum before and after digestion were generally higher at Bayelsa Palm abattoir than in Swali abattoir. The decreasing order of the heavy metal concentration was; Zinc ˃ Iron ˃ Copper ˃ Lead. There was also a general reduction in the heavy metal content of P. purpureum after digestion. The values of Iron, copper, zinc and lead in the feed of the cows were generally higher than their values in the partially digested cellulose. This indicates that the abomasums of beef cows provides a relatively stable physicochemical environment for microbial digestion, hydrolysis and fermentation of the high quality cellulose feed as characterized by the mildly acidic pH levels and physiological temperature range of partially digested cellulose.