Pulse processing affects gas production by gut bacteria during in vitro fecal fermentation

Nutritional strategies can be employed to mitigate greenhouse emissions from ruminants. This article investigates the effects of polyphenols extracted from the involucres of Castanea mollissima Blume (PICB) on in vitro rumen fermentation. Three healthy Angus bulls (350 ± 50 kg), with permanent rumen fistula, were used as the donors of rumen fluids. A basic diet was supplemented with five doses of PICB (0%–0.5% dry matter (DM)), replicated thrice for each dose. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), ammonia nitrogen concentration (NH3-N), and methane (CH4) yield were measured after 24 h of in vitro fermentation, and gas production was monitored for 96 h. The trial was carried out over three runs. The results showed that the addition of PICB significantly reduced NH3-N (p < 0.05) compared to control. The 0.1%–0.4% PICB significantly decreased acetic acid content (p < 0.05). Addition of 0.2% and 0.3% PICB significantly increased the propionic acid content (p < 0.05) and reduced the acetic acid/propionic acid ratio, CH4 content, and yield (p < 0.05). A highly significant quadratic response was shown, with increasing PICB levels for all the parameters abovementioned (p < 0.01). The increases in PICB concentration resulted in a highly significant linear and quadratic response by 96-h dynamic fermentation parameters (p < 0.01). Our results indicate that 0.2% PICB had the best effect on in-vitro rumen fermentation efficiency and reduced greenhouse gas production.

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Dose–Response Effects of 3-Nitrooxypropanol Combined with Low- and High-Concentrate Feed Proportions in the Dairy Cow Ration on Fermentation Parameters in a Rumen Simulation Technique

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11061784 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 1784

Author(s):

Matthias Schilde ◽

Dirk von Soosten ◽

Liane Hüther ◽

Susanne Kersten ◽

Ulrich Meyer ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dose Response ◽

Gas Production ◽

Hydrogen Gas ◽

Simulation Technique ◽

Mitigation Strategies ◽

Feed Additive ◽

Future Research ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Dose Dependent

Methane (CH4) from ruminal feed degradation is a major pollutant from ruminant livestock, which calls for mitigation strategies. The purpose of the present 4 × 2 factorial arrangement was to investigate the dose–response relationships between four doses of the CH4 inhibitor 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP) and potential synergistic effects with low (LC) or high (HC) concentrate feed proportions (CFP) on CH4 reduction as both mitigation approaches differ in their mode of action (direct 3-NOP vs. indirect CFP effects). Diet substrates and 3-NOP were incubated in a rumen simulation technique to measure the concentration and production of volatile fatty acids (VFA), fermentation gases as well as substrate disappearance. Negative side effects on fermentation regarding total VFA and gas production as well as nutrient degradability were observed for neither CFP nor 3-NOP. CH4 production decreased from 10% up to 97% in a dose-dependent manner with increasing 3-NOP inclusion rate (dose: p < 0.001) but irrespective of CFP (CFP × dose: p = 0.094). Hydrogen gas accumulated correspondingly with increased 3-NOP dose (dose: p < 0.001). In vitro pH (p = 0.019) and redox potential (p = 0.066) varied by CFP, whereas the latter fluctuated with 3-NOP dose (p = 0.01). Acetate and iso-butyrate (mol %) decreased with 3-NOP dose, whereas iso-valerate increased (dose: p < 0.001). Propionate and valerate varied inconsistently due to 3-NOP supplementation. The feed additive 3-NOP was proven to be a dose-dependent yet effective CH4 inhibitor under conditions in vitro. The observed lack of additivity of increased CFP on the CH4 inhibition potential of 3-NOP needs to be verified in future research testing further diet types both in vitro and in vivo.

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Feeding Value Assessment of Substituting Cassava (Manihot esculenta) Residue for Concentrate of Dairy Cows Using an In Vitro Gas Test

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11020307 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (2) ◽

pp. 307

Author(s):

Yuhui Zheng ◽

Yanyan Zhao ◽

Shenglin Xue ◽

Wei Wang ◽

Yajing Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Manihot Esculenta ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Gas Production ◽

The Other ◽

Holstein Cows ◽

Value Assessment ◽

Buffer Solution ◽

Feeding Value ◽

Cassava Residue

The feeding value of replacing concentrate with cassava (Manihot esculenta) residue in the feed of Holstein cows was confirmed using an in vitro gas test. The treatments consisted of 0% (control, CON), 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 25%, and 30% inclusion of cassava residue in fermentation culture medium composed of buffer solution (50 mL) and filtrated rumen fluid (25 mL). The parameters analyzed included the kinetics of gas production and fermentation indexes. Forty-eight hours later, there were no significant differences on in vitro dry matter disappearance (IVDMD), pH, and microbial crude protein (MCP) content among treatments (p > 0.05). However, the “cumulative gas production at 48 h” (GP48), the “asymptotic gas production” (A), and the “maximum gas production rate” (RmaxG) all increased linearly or quadratically (p < 0.01). The GP48 was significantly higher in the 25% treatment compared to the other treatments, except for the 30% (p < 0.01). The A was significantly larger in the 25% treatment compared to the other treatments, except for the 20% and 30% (p < 0.01). The RmaxG was distinctly larger in the 25% treatment compared to other treatments (p < 0.01); moreover, the “time at which RmaxG is reached” (TRmaxG) and the “time at which the maximum rate of substrate degradation is reached” (TRmaxS) were significantly higher in the 25% treatment than the CON, 20%, and 30% treatments (p < 0.01). Additionally, the content of ammonia-N (NH3-N) in all treatments showed linearly and quadratically decreases (p < 0.01), whereas total volatile fatty acid (VFA), iso-butyrate, butyrate, and iso-valerate contents changed quadratically (p = 0.02, p = 0.05, p = 0.01, and p = 0.02, respectively); all of these values peaked in the 25% treatment. In summary, the 25% treatment was associated with more in vitro gas and VFA production, indicating that this cassava residue inclusion level may be used to replace concentrate in the feed of Holstein cows. However, these results need to be verified in vivo.

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Evaluation of the Nutrient Composition, In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics, and In Situ Degradability of Amaranthus caudatus, Amaranthus cruentus, and Amaranthus hypochondriacus in Cattle

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11010018 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

pp. 18

Author(s):

Kim Margarette C. Nogoy ◽

Jia Yu ◽

Young Gyu Song ◽

Shida Li ◽

Jong-Wook Chung ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Crude Protein ◽

Dry Matter ◽

Gas Production ◽

Nutrient Composition ◽

Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽

Amaranthus Cruentus ◽

Amaranthus Caudatus ◽

Amaranthus Hypochondriacus

The amaranth plants showed high potential feed value as forage for ruminants. An in-depth study of this plant, particularly in cattle, will help extend its utilization as an alternative protein and fiber feed source in cattle feeding. In this study, the nutrient compositions of three different species of amaranth, Amaranthus caudatus L., Amaranthus cruentus L., and Amaranthus hypochondriacus L.—two varieties for each species, A.ca 74, A.ca 91, A.cu 62, A.cu 66, A. hy 30, and A. hy 48—were evaluated. The in vitro technique was used to evaluate the fermentation characteristics such as total gas production, total volatile fatty acids (VFA) concentration, pH, and ammonia concentration of the rumen fluid. Moreover, the effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM) and crude protein (EDCP) of the amaranth forages were determined through in situ bag technique. The amaranth forages: A. caudatus, A. cruentus, and A. hypochondriacus showed better nutritive value than the locally produced forages in Chungcheong province of Korea. The CP of the amaranth ranged from 11.95% to 14.19%, and the neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) contents ranged from 45.53% to 70.88% and 34.17% to 49.83%, respectively. Among the amaranth varieties, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the most excellent ruminant feed nutrient quality (CP, 14.19%; NDF, 45.53%; and ADF, 34.17%). The effective degradabilities of dry matter (EDDM; 33–56%) and crude protein EDCP (27–59%) of the amaranth were lower compared to other studies, which could be due to the maturity stage at which the forages were harvested. Nonetheless, A. hypochondriacus 48 showed the highest EDDM (56.73%) and EDCP (59.09%). The different amaranth species did not differ greatly in terms of total VFA concentration or molar proportions, total gas production, or ammonia-N concentration. The high nutrient composition, and highly effective degradability of dry matter and crude protein, coupled with the favorable fermentation characteristics, suggest that the amaranth forages showed good to excellent feed quality for cattle.

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Associative Effects between Forages and Concentrates on In Vitro Fermentation of Working Equine Diets

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11082212 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (8) ◽

pp. 2212

Author(s):

Mónica Gandarillas ◽

Juan Pablo Keim ◽

Elisa María Gapp

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Volatile Fatty Acid ◽

Animal Species ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Gas Production ◽

In Vitro Fermentation ◽

In Vitro Gas Production ◽

Production Experiment ◽

Need To Evaluate

Background: Horses are hindgut fermenters, and it is therefore important to determine the postgastric nutritive value of their feedstuffs and diets. Moreover, it has been demonstrated in other animal species that the fermentation of diets results in different values than those expected from pure ingredients. Therefore, the general objective of this work is to evaluate the gas production (GP) and volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration, as well as the associative effects, of mixtures of different forages and concentrated foods, which are representative of the traditional diets of high-performance horses. Methods: An in vitro gas production experiment was conducted to assess the fermentation of two forages and three concentrates that are typical in horse diets. The combination of 70% of forage and 30% concentrates was also assessed to determine potential associative effects. Results: Concentrates and grains produced higher GP and VFA than forages when evaluated alone. When experimental diets were incubated, GP parameters and VFA concentrations of forage–concentrate mixtures had unexpected differences from the values expected from the fermentation of pure ingredients, suggesting the occurrence of associative effects. Conclusions: Our results indicate that there is a need to evaluate the fermentation of diets, rather than predicting from the values of pure ingredients.

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The use ofin vitrogas production to evaluate rumen fermentation of leaves of 24 browse species indigenous to semi-arid areas of Zimbabwe

BSAP Occasional Publication ◽

10.1017/s0263967x00032729 ◽

1998 ◽

Vol 22 ◽

pp. 238-240

Author(s):

L. R. Ndlovu ◽

L. Hove

Keyword(s):

Woody Plants ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Gas Production ◽

Arid Areas ◽

Chemical Methods ◽

Tropical Regions ◽

Biological Assays ◽

Browse Species ◽

Semi Arid

Browse species are important food resources in semi-arid areas, especially during the dry season when the nutritive value of grass is at its lowest. However, browse plants often contain secondary plant compounds which limit their nutritive value. Proanthocyanidins (PAs) (also called condensed tannins) and related flavonoids are a common constituent of woody plants in tropical regions (Mangan, 1988). PAs cause a bitter and astringent taste which lowers food palatability and they also lower the digestibility of proteins and carbohydrates (Jacksonet al., 1996). PAs also interfere with current chemical methods that are used for estimating nutritive value of foods (Reed, 1995). Biological assays, especially ,in vitrotechniques, have a potential to reflect better the nutritive value of foods that contain PAs. Thein vitrogas production technique has been found to reliably predict the nutritive value of temperate forages (Makkaret al., 1996). There has been limited research on its efficacy with tropical forages. The experiment reported here was conducted to test the hypothesis that gas production of tropical browse species reflects their content of fibre, protein and/or PAs.

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Improving ensiling characteristics by adding lactic acid bacteria modifies in vitro digestibility and methane production of forage-sorghum mixture silage

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-021-81505-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Chatchai Kaewpila ◽

Pongsatorn Gunun ◽

Piyawit Kesorn ◽

Sayan Subepang ◽

Suwit Thip-uten ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Lactic Acid ◽

Lactic Acid Bacteria ◽

Nutritive Value ◽

Gas Production ◽

In Vitro Digestibility ◽

Acid Fermentation ◽

Design Factor ◽

Forage Sorghum ◽

Randomized Design

AbstractImproving the nutrition of livestock is an important aspect of global food production sustainability. This study verified whether lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculant could promote ensiling characteristics, nutritive value, and in vitro enteric methane (CH4) mitigation of forage sorghum (FS) mixture silage in attacking malnutrition in Zebu beef cattle. The FS at the soft dough stage, Cavalcade hay (CH), and cassava chip (CC) were obtained. The treatments were designed as a 4 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. Factor A was FS prepared without or with CH, CC, and CH + CC. Factor B was untreated or treated with Lactobacillus casei TH14. The results showed that all FS mixture silages preserved well with lower pH values below 4.0 and higher lactic acid contents above 56.4 g/kg dry matter (DM). Adding LAB boosted the lactic acid content of silages. After 24 h and 48 h of in vitro rumen incubation, the CC-treated silage increased in vitro DM digestibility (IVDMD) with increased total gas production and CH4 production. The LAB-treated silage increased IVDMD but decreased CH4 production. Thus, the addition of L. casei TH14 inoculant could improve lactic acid fermentation, in vitro digestibility, and CH4 mitigation in the FS mixture silages.

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Preserving Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima as Silages for Ruminant Feeding

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani10111957 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 10 (11) ◽

pp. 1957

Author(s):

Margarita Novoa-Garrido ◽

Carlos Navarro Marcos ◽

María Dolores Carro Travieso ◽

Eduarda Molina Alcaide ◽

Mogens Larsen ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Dry Matter ◽

Nutritional Value ◽

Volatile Fatty Acids ◽

Gas Production ◽

Saccharina Latissima ◽

Porphyra Umbilicalis ◽

In Vitro Gas Production ◽

Ruminal Degradability ◽

Kinetics Of

The study analyzed the characteristics, chemical composition, and in vitro gas production kinetics of Porphyra umbilicalis and Saccharina latissima silages. Each seaweed was ensiled in vacuum bags (three bags/silage) following a 2 × 3 factorial design, with two pre-treatments (unwilted or pre-wilted) and three silage types: unwashed seaweed ensiled without additive; seaweed washed and ensiled without additive; and seaweed washed and ensiled with 4 g of formic acid (FAC) per kg seaweed. Silages were kept for 3 months in darkness at 20 °C. Pre-wilting prevented (p < 0.001) effluent formation and reduced (p ≤ 0.038) the production of NH3-N and volatile fatty acids for both seaweeds. Both pre-wilting and washing increased (p < 0.05) the ruminal degradability of P. umbilicalis silages but not of S. latissima silages. The pH of the FAC-treated silages was below 4.0, but ranged from 4.54 to 6.23 in non FAC-treated silages. DL-lactate concentrations were low (≤23.0 g/kg dry matter) and acetate was the predominant fermentation product, indicating a non-lactic fermentation. The estimated ruminal degradability of the P. umbilicalis and S. latissima silages was as average, 59.9 and 86.1% of that for high-quality rye-grass silages, respectively, indicating a medium-low nutritional value of these seaweed silages for ruminants.

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