The Impact of Supplementing Probiotics and Concentrate on Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, and Nitrogen Balance in Sahelian Goats Fed a Basal Diet of Brachiaria Decumbens Grass:

Alhassan Osman; Emmanuel Lartey Kwame Osafo; Victoria Attoh-Kotoku; Frank Idan; Christopher  Antwi

Alhassan Osman Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1867-0275
Emmanuel Lartey Kwame Osafo Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2306-1864
Victoria Attoh-Kotoku https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1613-1844
Frank Idan Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5438-0331
Christopher Antwi Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6430-1385

Keywords: Brachiaria decumbens, concentrate, digestibility, nitrogen balance, probiotics

Abstract

Four Sahelian bucks aged 24-26 months with a mean weight of 18.86±0.06 kg fed Brachiaria decumbens grass as a basal diet were used to investigate the supplementation effects of probiotics and concentrates relative to feed intake, nutrient digestibility, as well as nitrogen utilisation. The bucks were arranged in a 4 × 4 repeated Latin Square Design, consisting of four periods, each lasting 14 days. All bucks were adjusted to the test diets and handling conditions in metabolism cages for 2 weeks. The test diets consisted of P0 C500 (500 g/d concentrate without probiotics), P0 C1000 (1000 g/d concentrate without probiotics), P100C500 (probiotics at 100 g/100 kg of concentrate, 500 g/d concentrate), and P100C1000 (probiotics at 100 g/100 kg of concentrate, 1000 g/d concentrate). Throughout the experiment, the bucks had unfettered access to water and feed. Total amounts of urine and faeces were gathered during the final 7 days of each period for computation of nitrogen balance. Analysed results indicated that intake of basal diet was not affected (P > 0.05) by treatments imposed. However, increases (P< 0.05) in intake of water, total dry matter, and apparent digestibility of all nutrients except ash, nitrogen-free extract, and cellulose wereobserved. Nonetheless, nitrogen intake, digestibility, and retention in bucks on treatments P0 C1000 and P100C1000 were higher (P<0.05) compared to other treatments. Faecal nitrogen excretion was greater (P<0.05) than nitrogen excreted through urine. Nitrogen balance was positive across all treatments. It was concluded that supplementing probiotics and protein/energy concentrate at 1000 g/d positively influenced total intake of dry matter, nutrient digestibility, nitrogen balance, and nitrogen utilisation. Adoption of the feeding strategy of supplementing probiotics-fortified concentrates is recommended as it can offer a practical approach to improving goat productivity.

Author Biographies

Alhassan Osman, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Alhassan Osman is a Research Fellow at the Dairy/Beef Cattle Research Station, Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, Ghana. He earned a BEd in Agriculture from the University of Education, Winneba, and went on to complete both his MSc and PhD in Animal Nutrition at KNUST. With nearly a decade of experience in research and teaching, he is committed to promoting sustainable livestock production through innovative scientific inquiry. His research interests include forage evaluation and conservation, the use of local agro-industrial by-products in livestock feeding, alternatives to antibiotics in ruminant nutrition, and rabbit nutrition and production. Dr. Osman’s expertise covers the utilization of local feed resources for formulating on-farm ruminant diets, pasture establishment, forage preservation, and data analysis. As a consultant to private livestock enterprises, he works to bridge the gap between academia and industry. Presently, he has authored over twenty peer-reviewed publications and is dedicated to translating research outcomes into practical solutions for farmers. Additionally, as part of his contribution to the scientific community, he serves as a reviewer for multiple scientific journals.

Emmanuel Lartey Kwame Osafo, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Emmanuel L. K. Osafo is Professor in the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST). He has served as Head of the Department of Animal Science and Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture. His area of specialization is Ruminant Nutrition and Production and has over thirty-five years’ experience teaching and researching in animal agriculture in Ghana and Africa. Prof. Osafo holds a PhD (Agriculture) from the University of Reading, England and is a member of the British Society of Animal Science as well as a member of the Ghana Society of Animal Production. The research findings cover mainly work done in Ethiopia, Nigeria, Tanzania and Ghana. Emmanuel Osafo has authored or co-authored over 100 Journal and Conference articles and 16 other publications. His publications have been mainly on evaluating straws as feed for ruminants and he has been involved with a team of researchers who developed the ‘self-selection’ technology for improving intake by ruminants. He has experience conducting training seminars for smallholder dairy farmers and local milk processors to improve on the efficiency of their production enterprises and indeed has produced a training manual together with his colleagues for this purpose. He has experience in successfully managing research grants for DFID, CARGS, Skills Development Fund (SDF) and INBAR. He has travelled extensively and attended and participated in several Animal related International Conferences.

Victoria Attoh-Kotoku

Mrs. Victoria Attoh-Kotoku is an Associate Professor in the Department of Animal Science at the College of Agriculture and Renewable Natural Resources, KNUST, Kumasi. She holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy degree and initially trained and practiced as a Registered Pharmacist before transitioning into Animal Science. She later completed an MSc and a PhD in Animal Nutrition, both at KNUST. Prof. Attoh-Kotoku’s expertise spans ruminant nutrition and production, with research focusing on feed development for ruminants, greenhouse gas emissions from livestock, climate change impacts on feed resources and animal reproduction, as well as meat processing, preservation, and gender issues in agriculture. She has published over 50 peer-reviewed articles, numerous conference papers, books, technical reports, and abstracts. She has also presented at several British Society of Animal Science meetings and collaborated with partners across Africa. Her current research explores bamboo leaves as a year-round fodder in partnership with INBAR. She previously served as Head of Department (2013–2015) and became the first female Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture in 2015.

Frank Idan, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Dr. Frank Idan is a Senior Lecturer and Researcher in the Department of Animal Science at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. With over a decade of experience, he is dedicated to advancing sustainable agriculture through scientific innovation. His research focuses on optimizing feed quality, enhancing livestock health, and improving food safety. Dr. Idan's expertise encompasses mycotoxin management, lighting regimes, advanced feed formulation, and mill quality assurance. He applies evidence-based strategies in poultry production, specializing in gut health, nutritional programming, and precision feeding. A passionate bridge between academia and industry, he excels at translating research into practical applications. He has a proven track record in fundraising and building strategic partnerships to support agricultural efficiency and long-term food security. As a recognized educator and researcher, Dr. Idan is committed to knowledge sharing through scientific publications, data-driven analysis, and impactful extension initiatives. He combines innovation with stakeholder engagement to develop robust, sustainable solutions for animal nutrition and production.

Christopher Antwi, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Christopher Antwi is Professor at the Department of Animal Science, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Ghana. He obtained his B.Sc. (Agriculture) and Ph.D. (Animal Nutrition) both from KNUST. He has served as Vice Dean of the Faculty of Agriculture and Head of the Department of Animal Science and is currently the Deputy Director of the Institute of Distance Learning. His postdoctoral training under the Norman Borlaug Fellowship (University of California, Davis) and the Livestock Emission and Abatement Research Network (New Zealand) equipped him with expertise in measuring and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from livestock using advanced systems such as SF₆ and GreenFeed. Prof. Antwi’s research focuses on greenhouse gas mitigation, climate change adaptation, fodder conservation, and feed improvement for ruminants. He has reviewed for leading journals and grant panels, including the Royal Society–AAS FLAIR programme, and has over 40 publications. He has led or participated in several funded projects, notably by DFAT Australia, ENI Ghana, German–African Cooperation, and International Foundation for Science, addressing livestock productivity, sustainable feeding, and youth capacity building. His work has significantly advanced climate-smart animal agriculture and the sustainable integration of livestock systems in Africa.

The Impact of Supplementing Probiotics and Concentrate on Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, and Nitrogen Balance in Sahelian Goats Fed a Basal Diet of Brachiaria Decumbens Grass

The Impact of Supplementing Probiotics

Abstract

Author Biographies

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