Effect of cinnamon bark meal (Cinnamomum burmanni Ness ex Bl) addition as cinnamaldehyde source on in vitro nutrient digestibility

Abstract

Protection of high-quality protein from rumen microbe degradation by cinnamaldehyde might improve feed protein utilization for ruminants. The study investigated the effect of cinnamon bark meal as a source of cinnamaldehyde on in vitro nutrient digestibility. This research consisted of the diet without (control) and with cinnamon bark meal at 1.16, 2.3, 3.5, and 4.6% of feed dry matter (DM) equivalent to 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg cinnamaldehyde per kg DM. Feed consisted of 60% elephant grass, 30% wheat bran and 10% soybean meal. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. Data obtained were analyzed by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) continued by DMRT. The results showed that the addition of cinnamon bark meal up to 4.6% did not affect dry matter, organic matter and crude fiber digestibility, but decreased (P<0,05) rumen crude protein digestibility (48 h) and increased total crude protein digestibility (96 h). It was concluded that the cinnamon bark meal addition up to 4.6% of DM feed or equal to cinnamaldehyde with 800 mg per kg DM feed could increase crude protein digestibility (96 h) without any adverse effects on in vitro nutrient digestibility.