Comparative Analysis Between Soybean Husk and Maize Husk

ABSTRACT Agricultural by-products, often regarded as waste, have gained attention in recent years for their potential role in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and addressing feed shortages. Soybean husk and maize husk are two such by-products, widely available in regions with high crop production. The increasing need for sustainable and cost-effective feed alternatives has driven interest in utilizing agricultural by-products such as soybean husk and maize husk. The aim of this research is to evaluate and compare the nutritional composition of Soybean husk and maize husk, focusing on their proximate analysis, vitamins and mineral content. Proximate analysis revealed that soybean husk contains higher fat content (17.56%) compared to maize husk (12.82%), suggesting its potential as an energy-rich feed ingredient. In contrast, maize husk exhibited significantly higher carbohydrate content (69.11%) than soybean husk (64.31%), making it more suitable for bioethanol production. Protein levels were relatively low in both samples, with soybean husk at 4.9% and maize husk at 4.55%. Vitamin analysis showed that soybean husk had elevated levels of Vitamin A (36.47 mg/100 g) and Vitamin B2 (10.72 mg/100 g), which are essential for vision, immune function, and metabolism. Maize husk, on the other hand, was significantly richer in Vitamin B1 (24.65 mg/100 g), which plays a key role in carbohydrate metabolism and energy production. Mineral analysis indicated that soybean husk had a higher concentration of calcium (37.75 mg/L), potassium (919.7 mg/L), and sodium (14.7 mg/L), making it beneficial for bone development and electrolyte balance in animal diets. Conversely, maize husk had significantly higher iron (104.6 mg/L) and zinc (7.50 mg/L) levels, suggesting its potential in addressing micronutrient deficiencies in livestock nutrition. These both are beneficial in addressing agricultural practices.