Gomes et al., 1997. Rev. Bras. Zootec., 26 (5): 858-862

An experiment was conducted with prawn (Macrobrachium rosenbergii) with an average weight of 55.66 g, to determine the apparent digestibility of DM, CP and gross energy of cassava (Manihot esculenta). A semi-purified reference diet, composed of casein, gelatin, starch, soyabean oil, fish oil, and a mineral and vitamin premix was used. To formulate the 2 experimental diets, 30% of dehydrated or heated cassava were added to the reference diet. The apparent digestibilities of DM, CP and gross energy of dehydrated and heated cassava were 46.5 and 54.4%, 73.7 and 77.2%, and 44.3 and 45.3%, respectively. Energy density of dehydrated and heated cassava was 1467 and 1638 cal/g, respectively. Heat treatment did not significantly improve digestibility of protein and gross energy of cassava.