Effect of fenugreek leaf extract (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) on in vitro methanogenesis and fermentation of wheat straw-based diet (Triticum aestivum L.) fed to buffaloes

A Dey,N Saxena,S.S Paul,P.C Lailer,S.S Dahiya,B.S Punia,P Pandey

doi:10.4038/sljfa.v1i1.2

Abstract

The secondary metabolites present in some plants have the potential in modifying rumen fermentation due to their antimicrobial activity. The present study aimed investigating the effect of dosing extracts of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) leaves on in vitro methanogenesis and fermentation of feed in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis Linnaeus, 1758). The leaves of fenugreek were dried at 45-50 °C and ground to pass through 1 mm sieve. Extracts (100 ml) were prepared with 10 g powdered sample using three solvents namely, ethanol, methanol and water, and stored at 4 °C for subsequent use. The extracts were tested at three levels (0, 1.0 and 2.0 ml). A 60:40 mixture (200 ± 5 mg) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) straw and concentrate feed was used as substrate and incubated with 30 ml buffered rumen fluid in 100 ml calibrated glass syringes at 39 °C for 24 hrs following the standard IVGP protocol. Gas production was recorded by displacement of piston in the syringe. Methane in the gas phase and volatile fatty acids (VFA) in the fermentation medium were estimated by GLC. The total gas and methane production was reduced significantly (p<0.001) with the increase in microbial biomass production by inclusion of methanol extract of fenugreek leaves. Acetate production was reduced with increase of propionate, which reduced the acetate to propionate ratio (p<0.05). The truly degradable dry matter content was increased by the addition of methanol extract. Results of this study suggested the potential use of methanol extract of fenugreek leaves as an anti-methanogenic feed additive to improve rumen fermentation in buffaloes.

Highlights

Livestock emits 37% of the global anthropogenic methane, mostly from enteric fermentation by ruminants (Steinfeld et al, 2006)
Similar to most medicinal plants, Division of Animal Nutrition and Feed Technology, ICAR- Central Institute for Research on Buffaloes, Hisar, India *Corresponding author: avijitcirb@gmail.com fenugreek foliage contains secondary metabolites viz. saponins, flavanoids, alkaloids and tannins (Taylor et al, 1997), which may modify the rumen fermentation leading to reduced methane production and improved feed utilization
*true degradability of dry matter (TDDM) = true degradable dry matter; MBP = microbial biomass production; TVFA = total volatile fatty acid; A:P = ratio of acetate to propionate; **E-1, E-2, M-1, M-2, and A-1 and A-2 are 1 ml and 2 ml doses of ethanol extract (E), methanol extract (M) and aqueous extract (A), respectively, per 30 ml buffered rumen fluid; ***SEM = standard error of the mean; Within each column means followed by the same letter are not significantly different (p

Summary

Introduction

Livestock emits 37% of the global anthropogenic methane, mostly from enteric fermentation by ruminants (Steinfeld et al, 2006). Reducing methane emission from ruminants has implications for global environmental protection and for effective animal production.The secondary metabolites of plants have the potential to modify fermentation by their antimicrobial activity (Gershenzon and Croteau, 1991) on specific group of organisms in rumen. Saponins, flavanoids, alkaloids and tannins (Taylor et al, 1997), which may modify the rumen fermentation leading to reduced methane production and improved feed utilization.

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Conclusion