Huizache Leaves and Agave Bagasse Incorporated into Granulated and Pelletized Concentrates and Their Effects on Methane Production and in vitro Fermentation Patterns in Ruminant Diets

Abstract

Background: The use of non-conventional food sources is a key element in facing the current problems derived from climate change and food shortages that demand the establishment of new sustainable feeding systems for ruminants. Moreover, densification methods like pelleting constitute a way to improve the quality and acceptability as well as to facilitate the handling of supplements. The objective of this study was to evaluate Huizache leaves and agave bagasse incorporated into granulated and pelletized concentrates and their effects on methane production and in vitro fermentation patterns in ruminant diets. Methods: A protein concentrate granulated and pelletized containing Huizache leaves and agave bagasse were mixed with a high-quality forage (alfalfa hay) using a 2×3 factorial arrangement with a total of six treatments. In each treatment were determined crude protein, carbohydrates, in vitro digestibility, in vitro gas, methane, carbon dioxide, volatile fatty acids, ammoniacal nitrogen and microbial nitrogen. The variables were submitted to an analysis of variance using the procedure MIXED SAS and statistical differences were declared at P less than 0.05. Result: There was an interaction (P less than 0.01) between concentrate source (granulated vs pelleted) and relation (alfalfa hay + concentrate source) on maximum gas production “A” (P less than 0.05). Also, there was an interaction between concentrate source (granulated vs pelleted) and relation (alfalfa hay: concentrated) on microbial nitrogen production (P less than 0.05). The microbial nitrogen production increased in 55 % with pelleted concentrate in relation to granulated concentrate (P less than 0.05).