Abstract
Simple SummaryStrategic feeding of ruminants with pellets containing phytochemical compounds is one approach that could enhance rumen fermentation and decrease greenhouse gases. It was found that feeding with the pellets containing royal poinciana seed meal at 150 g/d might be an alternative to improve rumen fermentation efficiency and reduce the environmental impact of ruminants.The object of this present work was to determine the effects of supplementation with pellets containing royal poinciana seed meal (PEREM) on feed use, ruminal fermentation efficiency, microbial protein synthesis, blood metabolites and mitigation of methane (CH4) emissions in cattle. The animals used in this experiment were four male Thai native beef cattle (Bos indicus) with initial body weights (BWs) of 125 ± 5.0 kg. Each of the animals were randomly assigned to receive PEREM doses at 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/d, respectively, according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Concentrates were fed at 0.5% BW daily, and rice straw was fed ad libitum. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) on intakes of rice straw, concentrate and total diet. The intake of nutrients did not change among the levels of PEREM supplementation (p > 0.05), except for an intake of crude protein, which was linearly enhanced when increasing the dose of PEREM (p < 0.05). The inclusion of different doses of PEREM did not adversely affect the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber (p > 0.05). Adding various doses of PEREM did not alter ruminal pH and ruminal temperature, while concentrations of ammonia-nitrogen were significantly increased with an increased dose of PEREM supplementation (p < 0.01). The increasing doses of PEREM linearly reduced protozoal numbers (p < 0.01), with the lowest concentration when PEREM was added at 150 g. PEREM supplementation did not change (p > 0.05) the concentration of acetic acid or butyric acid or the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid. Nevertheless, the total volatile fatty acid and propionic acid content were changed among PEREM levels (p < 0.05), which were linearly increased with an increasing dose of PEREM. At 4 h post feeding, the CH4 concentrations in the rumen of the animal were linearly reduced when the dose of pellets was increased (p < 0.01). In addition, the inclusion of PEREM did not adversely affect other blood metabolites, namely total protein, creatinine and albumin (p > 0.05). Furthermore, microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial N synthesis were linearly enhanced when increasing levels of PEREM were added. The feeding of PEREM at 150 g/d might be an alternative with the potential to improve rumen fermentation efficiency and reduce the environmental effects produced by ruminants.
Highlights
Manipulation of the rumen is interesting for increasing rumen efficiency, improving feed utilization and reducing environmental pollution [1]
Cieslak et al [7] demonstrated that a reduction in CH4 emissions by plants rich in saponins and tannins could be mediated through: (1) a reduction in protozoal populations; (2) the direct interruption of methanogenic bacteria; (3) alterations in the volatile fatty acids (VFA) profile and the ratio of acetate (C2)
The PEREM contained a high concentration of crude protein (CP) at 25.42%, which could be related to the additional
Summary
Manipulation of the rumen is interesting for increasing rumen efficiency, improving feed utilization and reducing environmental pollution [1]. Previous studies demonstrated that supplementation with pelleting plants rich in saponins and tannins such as raw banana [3], mangosteen (Garcinia mangostana) peel [4], Leucaena leaf [5]. Banana flower [6] could improve ruminal propionic acid concentration and microbial protein synthesis while reducing the protozoal population and ruminal methane (CH4 ) gas production. Cieslak et al [7] demonstrated that a reduction in CH4 emissions by plants rich in saponins and tannins could be mediated through: (1) a reduction in protozoal populations; (2) the direct interruption of methanogenic bacteria; (3) alterations in the volatile fatty acids (VFA) profile and the ratio of acetate (C2). An experiment was still required to test the suitable sources of saponins and tannins, and the feeding methods required to reduce CH4 and stimulate ruminant production [1]
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