Elaboration and Characterization of a Hybrid Composite Material with Two Particles of the Same Size: Coco Shells and Palm Shells

This work aims to develop and characterize a hybrid composite material with two particles of the same size. As reinforcing particles, the hulls of palm nuts and coconut are chosen. Hybrid composite material composites in the form of specimens were produced by molding at 10%, 20% and 30% mass fractions in various sizes (0.63 mm, 1.25 mm and 2.5 mm). The samples were physically characterized (water absorption rate, moisture content, actual, theoretical and apparent density) and mechanical in 3-point flexion. The main results are: the highest and minimum water absorption rate are respectively 3.57% and 0.67% for respectively particle sizes 1.25 mm (sample P10C30) and 0.67% in the size of 0.63 mm (sample P10C10). The moisture content varies from 0.64 to 7.14% respectively for the P20C20 (2.5 mm) and P10C30 (2.5 mm) samples. The maximum and minimum real density are 1340,518 Kg/m3 and 1055.981 Kg/m3, for respectively the composites of particles sizes 1.25 mm (P20C10) and 0.63 mm (sample P20C20). The minimum real density is Its maximum theoretical density is 1194.949 Kg/m3 (for samples P20C10, P10C10 and P30C10);however, the minimum is 1189.966 Kg/m3 (P10C20 and P20C20). The bulk density varies from 933.28 Kg/m3 to 1176.1 Kg/m3, respectively, in sizes from 2.5 mm (P10C30) to 0.63 mm (for P10C30). As for the mechanical characteristics, the Modulus of Elasticity (MOE) varies from 25.664 GPa to 25.759 GPa, respectively, the samples P10C10 (1.25 mm) and P10C20 (2.5 mm). The MOE values describe a parabola whose peak is reached when the palm shell loads are 20%, that is to say P20C10, whatever the particle size distribution. In resilience, samples with small particles are more resilient with a maximum value of 22.49 J/cm2 and a minimum value of 4.45 J/cm2 to verify the principles of Hall-Petch’s law.

Impact of Four Fiber Sources and the Strategy of Feeding on the Nutritional Quality of Rabbit Meat (Oryctogalagus cuniculis)

This study was conducted to valorize four sources of fiber (Gliricidia sepium, Leucaena leucocephala, Moringa oleifera and palm nut fibers) in animal production. The experiments were carried out on 128 rabbits divided into 4 batches of 32 animals, reared for 8 weeks under the same conditions. Each batch was subdivided into two subgroups, one fed with a complete diet (a diet containing one of the fiber sources and served all day) and the other with the same diet separated from the fiber source (served at 9 a.m. and supplemented with the fiber source at 4 p.m.). Eight (8) experimental rations were, respectively, tested on the subgroups: complete feed Gliricidia sepium (CFG);supplemented feed Gliricidia sepium (SFG);complete feed Leucaena leucocephala (CFL);supplemented feed Leucaena leucocephala (SFL);complete feed Moringa oleifera (CFM);supplemented feed Moringa oleifera (SFM);complete feed palm nut fiber (CFF);supplemented feed palm nut fiber (SFF). In each subgroup, 4 rabbits were slaughtered at 15 weeks of age for a total of 32 rabbits. Physico-chemical parameters were evaluated on the feed and the meat. Data were analyzed using SAS 2013 software. Fiber content was similar (p > 0.05) for complete feeds. Fat content was high (p < 0.001) for the palm nuts fiber (27.34%) and the CFF feed (11.36%). Feeding rabbits with G. sepium leaves or palm nut fiber continuously increased the fat content of the meat in contrast to sequential feeding. Meat quality was also better when the fiber source was used in the feed of the rabbits in the evening.