3. Results
3.1. Chemical feed analysis
Data about the chemical composition of the feed stuffs, the P and phytate-P content, as well as the IDF and SDF values of pure native, fermented and extruded wheat bran are presented in Table 2.Native wheat bran contained the highest phytate-P level with 14 g kg−1, followed by extruded (−7%) and fermented(−42%) bran. The IDF content was decreased in fermented bran by 12% compared to native and extruded bran. Duringfermentation of bran the sugar content was decreased. CF was reduced by 13% in extruded bran compared to native andfermented bran. Likewise, the starch content was reduced by 2% in fermented bran and 3% in extruded bran compared tonative bran. Results of the in vitro enzymatic digestibility of dry mass indicates that the diet with extruded bran displays the highest in vitro digestibility of OM with 0.86. EE was increased in pure fermented and extruded bran compared to nativewheat bran, and as a direct consequence also in the diets. Regarding the other parameters (CP, ash, P, Ca, GE) of the differentdiets, the chemical composition was within the analytical limits of variation.
3.2. Microbiological analysis
There was no macroscopic indication for microbial spoilage after solid state fermentation, which was also reflected in the microbiological assessment of the bran. The microbial load of pure native, fermented (after solid state fermentation andafter drying) as well as of extruded wheat bran is evident from Table 3. Enterobacteriaceae, lactic acid bacteria and moldswere below the detection limit, while yeasts were found in fermented wheat bran (before and after drying). A pH of 3.9 was