scholarly journals β-Sitosterol Attenuates High Grain Diet-Induced Inflammatory Stress and Modifies Rumen Fermentation and Microbiota in Sheep

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 171 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guangliang Xia ◽  
Jie Sun ◽  
Yaotian Fan ◽  
Fangfang Zhao ◽  
Gulzar Ahmed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Inflammatory Response ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Bioactive Compound ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Inflammatory Stress

β-sitosterol (BSS) is a plant-derived natural bioactive compound, its cellular mechanism of anti-inflammatory activity has been proven recently. Little information is available regarding the application of BSS on ruminants under high grain diet. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary BSS supplementation on inflammatory response, ruminal fermentation characteristics and the composition of the ruminal bacterial community under high grain diet. Eight rumen-cannulated Hu sheep (59.7 ± 4.8 kg of initial body weight) were randomly assigned into a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design trial. Sheep were fed a high grain diet (non-fiber carbohydrate: neutral detergent fiber = 2.03) supplemented either with 0.25 (LBS), 0.5 (MBS), 1.0 (HBS) or without (CON) g BSS /kg dry matter diet. On day 21 of each period, rumen content samples were obtained at 6 h postfeeding, and blood samples were obtained before morning feeding. The data showed that compared with control group, Dietary BSS supplementation decreased serum concentrations of tumor necrosis factor, interleukin (IL)-6, and IL-1β. The ruminal pH and acetate concentration for BSS treatment were improved, while concentration of propionate, butyrate and lactate was decreased. The result of Illumina MiSeq sequencing of 16S rRNA gene revealed that BSS addition can increase the proportion of Prevotella_1, Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group, Prevotella_7, and Selenomonas_1, and decrease the proportion of Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group. These results indicated that BSS attenuates high grain diet-induced inflammatory response and modifies ruminal fermentation. In addition, the BSS dietary supplementation at the level of 0.5 g/kg is recommended in sheep.

scholarly journals Dietary rambutan peel powder as a rumen modifier in beef cattle

2020 ◽  
Vol 33 (5) ◽  
pp. 763-769
Author(s):  
Thiwakorn Ampapon ◽  
Metha Wanapat
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Napier Grass ◽  
Feed Consumption ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Fruit Peel ◽  
Negative Effect

Objective: The experiment was conducted to study the effect of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit peel powder (RP) on feed consumption, digestibility of nutrients, ruminal fermentation dynamics and microbial population in Thai breed cattle.Methods: Four, 2-year old (250±15 kg) beef bull crossbreds (75% Brahman×25% local breed) were allotted to experimental treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design. Four dietary supplementation treatments were imposed; non-supplementation (control, T1); supplementation of RP fed at 2% of dry matter intake (DMI) (low, T2); supplementation of RP fed at 4% of DMI (medium, T3) and supplementation of RP fed at 6% of DMI (high, T4). All cattle were given a concentrate supplement at 1% of body weight while Napier grass was provided as a free choice.Results: The findings revealed that RP supplementation did not negatively affect (p>0.05) DMI of Napier grass, while RP intake and total DMI were the greatest in the RP supplementation at 4% and 6% DMI. Nevertheless, the nutrients (dry matter, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) digestibilities were not changed in the RP supplementation groups. Rumen fermentation parameters especially those of total volatile fatty acids, acetate and butyrate were not significantly changed. However, the propionate concentration was remarkably increased (p<0.05) in the RP supplementation. Notably, the ratio of acetate to propionate, the number of protozoa, as well as the methane estimation were significantly reduced in the RP supplemented groups (4% and 6% of DMI), while the counts of bacteria was not altered.Conclusion: Supplementation of RP (4% of DMI) improved rumen propionate production, reduced protozoal population and methane estimation (p<0.05) without a negative effect on feed consumption and nutrients total tract digestibilities in beef cattle. Using dietary rambutan fruit peel powder has potential promise as a rumen regulator.

scholarly journals Effect of stage of maturity at harvest for forage pea (Pisum sativum L.) on eating behavior, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility when fed as hay to yearling beef heifers

2019 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 149-158 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alex A Pursley ◽  
Bill Biligetu ◽  
Tom Warkentin ◽  
Herbert A Lardner ◽  
Gregory B Penner
Keyword(s):  
Pisum Sativum ◽  
Eating Behavior ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Starch Digestibility ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Beef Heifers ◽  
Passage Rate ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Pisum Sativum L

Abstract The objective of this study was to evaluate the stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay (Pisum sativum L., c.v. CDC Horizon) on dry matter intake (DMI), eating behavior, ruminal fermentation, and digestibility when fed to beef heifers. Pea hay was cut at EARLY (defined to occur when flat pods were on one or more nodes), MID (when seeds filled the pods at one or more nodes and the leaves were changing from green to gold), and LATE (yellow dry seeds filled pods on most or all of the nodes and the pods and leaves had a yellow color) phases, and was cured in the field and baled. Six ruminally-cannulated Speckle Park heifers were used in a replicated 3 × 3 Latin square design with three 18-d periods including 12 d for adaptation, 2 d for measurement of ruminal pool sizes, and 4 d for the collection of eating behavior, ruminal pH, ruminal digesta, and feces. For all treatments, the respective pea hay was included at 40% of the dietary DM. Stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay did not affect total DMI, pea hay DMI, or the total short-chain fatty acid concentration in ruminal fluid with averages of 8.6 kg/d, 3.2 kg/d, and 96.55 mM, respectively. The duration of time spent ruminating decreased with advancing pea hay maturity when reported as min/d, min/kg DMI, and min/kg neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (P ≤ 0.01). Mean ruminal pH also decreased with advancing pea maturity (P &lt; 0.01). The ruminal DM and undigested NDF corrected for OM pools were not affected by stage of maturity (P ≥ 0.55) nor was the rate of digestion for NDF. However, NDF passage rate decreased by 0.21%/h with advancing pea hay maturity (P = 0.02). Apparent total tract digestibility of NDF (average = 16.30%, P = 0.41) was not affected, but starch digestibility decreased from 96.10% to 93.08% with advancing pea hay maturity (P = 0.07). Overall, stage of maturity at harvest for pea hay does not appear to affect DMI or NDF digestibililty but decreases chewing activity, apparent total tract starch digestibility, ruminal pH, and ruminal NDF passage rate.

scholarly journals Effects of source and concentration of neutral detergent fiber from roughage in beef cattle diets on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics

2020 ◽  
Vol 98 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rodrigo S Goulart ◽  
Ricardo A M Vieira ◽  
Joao L P Daniel ◽  
Rafael C Amaral ◽  
Vanessa P Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Feed Intake ◽  
Dry Matter ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Corn Silage ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Ingestive Behavior ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Residence Times

Abstract The objectives of this research were to evaluate the effects of source and concentration of α-amylase-treated neutral detergent fiber (aNDF) from roughage on feed intake, ingestive behavior, and ruminal kinetics in beef cattle receiving high-concentrate diets. Six ruminally cannulated Nellore steers (408 ± 12 kg of body weight) were randomly assigned to a 6 × 6 Latin square design with six diets: 10% aNDF from corn silage (10CS); 20% aNDF from corn silage (20CS); or four diets containing 10% aNDF from corn silage and 10% aNDF from one of the following sources: sugarcane (SC), sugarcane bagasse (SCB), soybean hulls (SH), or low oil cottonseed hulls (LOCH). The parameters of passage and degradation kinetics were estimated based on a two-compartmental model with gamma- and exponential-distributed residence times. The nonlinear models were fitted by nonlinear least squares, and a linear mixed-effects model was fitted to all variables measured from the Latin square design that were related to intake, digestibility, digestion kinetic parameters, and residence times. Mean particle size (MPS) between roughage sources (CS, SCB, and SC) and coproducts (SH and LOCH) was affected (P &lt; 0.05). Dry matter intake (DMI) was not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by 20CS, SC, SH, or LOCH. Steers fed 20CS or LOCH diets had 16% and 20% greater DMI, respectively, (P &lt; 0.05) than steers fed 10CS diet. Steers fed SCB consumed the least dry matter (DM). The SH and LOCH diets had lower MPS values (about 8.77 mm) in comparison to 20CS, SCB, and SC diets (about 13.08 mm) and, consequently, affected (P &lt; 0.05) rumen content, ruminal in situ disappearance, nutrient digestibility, and solid fractional passage rate. Chewing time was affected (P &lt; 0.05) by roughage sources and concentration. Lower values of distance travel inside the rumen (min/cm) were observed (P &lt; 0.05) for the SCB and SC diets in comparison with any other diet. Except for SCB, there was no difference (P &gt; 0.05) in rumen fill, among other treatments. Mean daily ruminal pH was not affected (P &gt; 0.05) by 20CS, SCB, SC, and LOCH diets, and it ranged from 6.1 to 6.23. Total short-chain fatty acids concentration was affected (P &lt; 0.05) by roughage source and concentration. Based on our results, we recommend that under Brazilian finishing diets, replacing roughage sources, except for SCB, based on aNDF concentration of the roughage in high-concentrate diets containing finely ground flint corn does not affect DMI.

scholarly journals Rumen Epithelial Communities Share a Core Bacterial Microbiota: A Meta-Analysis of 16S rRNA Gene Illumina MiSeq Sequencing Datasets

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chiron J. Anderson ◽  
Lucas R. Koester ◽  
Stephan Schmitz-Esser
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
16S Rrna Gene ◽  
Host Species ◽  
De Novo ◽  
Management Practice ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
The Core

In this meta-analysis, 17 rumen epithelial 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq amplicon sequencing data sets were analyzed to identify a core rumen epithelial microbiota and core rumen epithelial OTUs shared between the different studies included. Sequences were quality-filtered and screened for chimeric sequences before performing closed-reference 97% OTU clustering, and de novo 97% OTU clustering. Closed-reference OTU clustering identified the core rumen epithelial OTUs, defined as any OTU present in ≥ 80% of the samples, while the de novo data was randomly subsampled to 10,000 reads per sample to generate phylum- and genus-level distributions and beta diversity metrics. 57 core rumen epithelial OTUs were identified including metabolically important taxa such as Ruminococcus, Butyrivibrio, and other Lachnospiraceae, as well as sulfate-reducing bacteria Desulfobulbus and Desulfovibrio. Two Betaproteobacteria OTUs (Neisseriaceae and Burkholderiaceae) were core rumen epithelial OTUs, in contrast to rumen content where previous literature indicates they are rarely found. Two core OTUs were identified as the methanogenic archaea Methanobrevibacter and Methanomethylophilaceae. These core OTUs are consistently present across the many variables between studies which include different host species, geographic region, diet, age, farm management practice, time of year, hypervariable region sequenced, and more. When considering only cattle samples, the number of core rumen epithelial OTUs expands to 147, highlighting the increased similarity within host species despite geographical location and other variables. De novo OTU clustering revealed highly similar rumen epithelial communities, predominated by Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, and Proteobacteria at the phylum level which comprised 79.7% of subsampled sequences. The 15 most abundant genera represented an average of 54.5% of sequences in each individual study. These abundant taxa broadly overlap with the core rumen epithelial OTUs, with the exception of Prevotellaceae which were abundant, but not identified within the core OTUs. Our results describe the core and abundant bacteria found in the rumen epithelial environment and will serve as a basis to better understand the composition and function of rumen epithelial communities.

scholarly journals PSII-16 Evidence for stratification of rumen wall microbial communities revealed by 16S rRNA based amplicon sequencing

2019 ◽  
Vol 97 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 226-227
Author(s):  
Lucas Koester ◽  
Mark Lyte ◽  
Stephan Schmitz-Esser ◽  
Heather Allen
Keyword(s):  
16S Rrna ◽  
Microbial Communities ◽  
Temporal Stability ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Amplicon Sequencing ◽  
Rumen Content ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Operational Taxonomic Units ◽  
Abundant Otus ◽  
Dorsal Portion

Abstract Rumen content (RC) stratifies based on particle size and density consisting of the less dense forage within the dorsal and the denser particles in the ventral portions of the rumen and is in constant contact with the microbial communities present on the rumen wall (RW) epithelium. Little is known about the nutrient requirements and functional processes of RW microbial communities. Our hypothesis is that the RW microbial communities stratify mirroring the stratification of RC due to different available nutrients. Five fistulated, milking Holstein cows of the same management conditions were sampled at four rumen layers corresponding to the RC stratification. Epithelial biopsies were taken through the fistula; the uppermost aligned with the dorsal portion of the RC (A), and three other sites, each 10 cm ventral to the previous (B, C and D). Each cow and stratification layer was sampled five times over four months to analyze temporal stability of the RW microbial communities. DNA was extracted using the Qiagen Powerlyzer Powersoil kit and used for 16S rRNA gene Illumina MiSeq sequencing. Sequences were clustered into operational taxonomic units (OTU) based on a 99% similarity cutoff using MOTHUR. After quality control, 2.0 million reads remained for 90 samples which were clustered into 5,016 OTUs with 10 or more reads. 99.2% of the reads were bacterial, whereas 0.8% affiliated to Archaea. Statistical analysis revealed that among the 20 most abundant OTUs, phylotypes classified as Desulfobulbus, unclassified_Cardiobacteraceae, Mogibacterium, Lachnospiraceae-UCG008 and Methanobrevibacter were significantly different in abundance between sites A compared to D. On a whole community level, analysis of molecular variance (AMOVA) revealed significant differences between groups A, C and D. Our data reveal first evidence that a stratification of RW microbiota is present in dairy cattle and also reveal high temporal stability of RW microbiota.

scholarly journals Intravenous lipopolysaccharide challenge alters ruminal bacterial microbiota and disrupts ruminal metabolism in dairy cattle

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (2) ◽  
pp. 170-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Longhui Jing ◽  
Ruiyang Zhang ◽  
Yujie Liu ◽  
Weiyun Zhu ◽  
Shengyong Mao
Keyword(s):  
Volatile Fatty Acids ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Lps Challenge ◽  
Bacterial Microbiota ◽  
Unweighted Unifrac ◽  
Fermentative Activity ◽  
Ruminal Microbiota

In the present study, three primiparous lactating Holstein cows (260–285 d in lactation) were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design to assess the effects of three doses (0·0, 0·4 and 0·8 μg/kg body weight) of lipopolysaccharide (LPS, Escherichia coli 0111:B4) on changes in ruminal microbiota and ruminal fermentation. Ruminal pH was linearly decreased (P< 0·001) by LPS challenge, and the concentrations of acetate, propionate, butyrate, total volatile fatty acids and amino N increased linearly (P< 0·001) according to the LPS dose. LPS infusion linearly decreased (P< 0·001) the organic matter degradability of alfalfa hay and soyabean meal in the rumen, but did not affect (P>0·10) the gene expression of Na+/K+-ATPase and monocarboxylic acid transporter-1, -2 and -4. A plot of principal coordinate analysis based on unweighted UniFrac values and analysis of molecular variance revealed that the structure of ruminal bacterial communities in the control was distinct from that of the ruminal microbiota in the cattle exposed to LPS. At the phylum level, when compared with the control group, LPS infusion in the tested cows linearly increased (P< 0·05) the abundance of Firmicutes, and linearly decreased (P< 0·05) the percentage of Bacteroidetes, Tenericutes, Spirochaetes, Chlorobi and Lentisphaerae. To our knowledge, this is the first study to report that intravenously LPS challenge altered the ruminal bacterial microbiota and fermentation profiles. The present data suggest that systemic LPS could alter ruminal environment and ruminal microbiota composition, leading to a general decrease in fermentative activity.

scholarly journals A mixture of quebracho and chestnut tannins drives butyrate-producing bacteria populations shift in the gut microbiota of weaned piglets

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0250874
Author(s):  
Francesco Miragoli ◽  
Vania Patrone ◽  
Aldo Prandini ◽  
Samantha Sigolo ◽  
Matteo Dell’Anno ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gut Microbiota ◽  
Dietary Intervention ◽  
16S Rrna Gene Sequencing ◽  
Illumina Miseq ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Central Position ◽  
Rrna Gene ◽  
Gut Health ◽  
Inorganic Ion ◽  
Rrna Gene Sequencing

Weaning is a critical period for piglets, in which unbalanced gut microbiota and/or pathogen colonisation can contribute to diseases that interfere with animal performance. Tannins are natural compounds that could be used as functional ingredients to improve gut health in pig farming thanks to their antibacterial, antioxidant, and antidiarrhoeal properties. In this study, a mixture of quebracho and chestnut tannins (1.25%) was evaluated for its efficacy in reducing the negative weaning effects on piglet growth. Microbiota composition was assessed by Illumina MiSeq 16S rRNA gene sequencing of DNA extracted from stools at the end of the trial. Sequence analysis revealed an increase in the genera Shuttleworthia, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Peptococcus, Anaerostipes, and Solobacterium in the tannin-supplemented group. Conversely, this dietary intervention reduced the abundance of the genera Syntrophococcus, Atopobium, Mitsuokella, Sharpea, and Prevotella. The populations of butyrate-producing bacteria were modulated by tannin, and higher butyrate concentrations in stools were detected in the tannin-fed pigs. Co-occurrence analysis revealed that the operational taxonomic units (OTUs) belonging to the families Veillonellaceae, Lachnospiraceae, and Coriobacteriaceae occupied the central part of the network in both the control and the tannin-fed animals. Instead, in the tannin group, the OTUs belonging to the families Acidaminococcaceae, Alcaligenaceae, and Spirochaetaceae characterised its network, whereas Family XIII Incertae Sedis occupied a more central position than in the control group. Conversely, the presence of Desulfovibrionaceae characterised the network of the control group, and this family was not present in the network of the tannin group. Moreover, the prediction of metabolic pathways revealed that the gut microbiome of the tannin group possessed an enhanced potential for carbohydrate transport and metabolism, as well as a lower abundance of pathways related to cell wall/membrane/envelope biogenesis and inorganic ion transport. In conclusion, the tested tannins seem to modulate the gut microbiota, favouring groups of butyrate-producing bacteria.

scholarly journals Citrus pulp in lamb diets: intake, digestibility, and ruminal parameters

2015 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 3421 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eduardo Lucas Terra Peixoto ◽  
Mirton José Frota Morenz ◽  
Carlos Elysio Moreira da Fonseca ◽  
Elizabeth Dos Santos Moura ◽  
Karla Rodrigues de Lima ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Rumen Fluid ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Corn Meal ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Citrus Pulp ◽  
Fermentation Parameters

<p>This study aimed to evaluate the viability of replacing corn meal with citrus pulp (0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 % dry matter of corn meal) by evaluating several nutritional parameters such as intake and digestibility of nutrients, and ruminal fermentation parameters. The diets were formulated to be isoproteic with a roughage:concentrate ratio of 60:40. Five crossbred lambs with an initial average weight of 26.1 ± 1.8 kg were used and distributed in a 5 x 5 Latin Square design. For digestibility of nutrients was carried out to feed, orts, and feces collection. The evaluated nutrients were dry matter, crude protein, ether extract, ash, neutral detergent fiber, fiber acid detergent and lignin. Were determined nitrogen and carbohydrate fractions, and ruminal fermentation parameters (N-NH 3 and ruminal pH). The results were subjected to analysis of variance and regression analysis (t-test; ? = 0.05). Citrus pulp inclusion in the diets did not affect intake and digestibility of nutrients, or the pH and the NH3-N content of the rumen fluid. Citrus pulp can be used as a total substitute for corn in concentrate or up to 26.5% in the total ration for lambs (dry basis). </p>

scholarly journals Ruminal fermentation and degradation, kinetic flow of digesta and milk fatty acid composition of cows fed sugarcane silage-based diets supplemented with whole cottonseed

2020 ◽  
Vol 41 (4) ◽  
pp. 1317
Author(s):  
Dayana Alves da Costa ◽  
Fernando César Ferraz Lopes ◽  
Gesiane Moura Neves Rebouças ◽  
Jailton da Costa Carneiro ◽  
Marco Antônio Sundfeld da Gama ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fatty Acid ◽  
Gastrointestinal Tract ◽  
Milk Fat ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Neutral Detergent Fiber ◽  
Milk Fatty Acid ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Degradation Kinetic ◽  
Whole Cottonseed ◽  
Palmitic Acids

The aim of this study was to evaluate the ruminal fermentation and degradation parameters, the kinetic flow of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract, and the milk fatty acid (FA) profile in Holstein x Gyr cows fed 59% sugarcane silage-based diets with 0% (control), 5%, 10% and 15% whole cottonseed (WCS) on a dry matter (DM) basis. Four rumen-cannulated cows with an average milk yield of 14.4±3.3 kg day-1 and 85±25 days in milk were allocated in a 4 x 4 Latin square design. There was no effect of dietary WCS levels on the intake of organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and nonfibrous carbohydrates, but there was a linear increase in the intake of ether extract (EE). There was no treatment effect on the apparent digestibility of DM, OM, CP, EE and NDF or on the ruminal degradability parameters for DM and NDF of sugarcane silage. Also, no treatment effects were observed on rumen pH, ruminal and postruminal particulate passage rates or on the rate of passage of the fluids in the rumen. WCS promoted linear reductions in the milk fat contents of lauric, myristic and palmitic acids and linear increases in the milk fat contents of stearic, oleic, trans-10 C18:1 and elaidic acids. The milk fat contents of vaccenic, rumenic, linoleic and ?-linolenic acids were unaffected by WCS supplementation. The inclusion of up to 15% WCS in sugarcane silage-based diets did not alter the digestibility of nutrients, the rumen degradability of the fiber, or the kinetic flow of digesta in the gastrointestinal tract of Holstein x Gyr cows but improved the nutritional quality of milk fat through an increase in the content of oleic acid, which is beneficial to human health, and decreased levels of hypercholesterolemic lauric, myristic and palmitic acids.

Improving ruminal fermentation and nutrient digestibility in dairy steers by banana flower powder-pellet supplementation

2018 ◽  
Vol 58 (7) ◽  
pp. 1246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sungchhang Kang ◽  
Metha Wanapat
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Latin Square ◽  
Bacterial Count ◽  
Nutrient Digestibility ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Ruminal Fermentation ◽  
Ruminal Ph ◽  
Rumen Ecology ◽  
Microorganism Population ◽  
Banana Flower

The present study aimed to investigate the effect of banana flower powder pellet (BAFLOP pellet) on nutrient digestibility, rumen ecology and microorganism population. Four rumen-fistulated dairy steers of 200 ± 20 kg bodyweight were randomly assigned to receive four dietary treatments according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The treatments were as follows: control (T1), NaHCO3 supplementation at 20 g/kg of total dry-matter feed intake (DMI; T2), BAFLOP-pellet supplementation at 20 g/kg of DMI (T3) and BAFLOP-pellet supplementation at 40 g/kg of DMI (T4). All cattle were fed roughage–concentrate mix (30 : 70 ratio) at 25 g/kg bodyweight. Standard management protocols were employed during the experimental periods. The results showed that nutrient digestibility was increased in steers supplemented with NaHCO3 and BAFLOP pellets at 40 g/kg DMI (P < 0.05). Although ruminal temperature and blood urea nitrogen were not influenced by dietary supplementation, ruminal pH was increased (P < 0.05) in steers supplemented with NaHCO3 and BAFLOP pellets at 40 g/kg DMI. In addition, NaHCO3 supplementation increased bacterial and protozoal populations, whereas populations of fungal zoospores were similar among treatments. Supplementation with BAFLOP pellets at 40 g/kg DMI increased the bacterial count, whereas protozoal numbers were similar to those in the control group (P < 0.05). On the basis of the present findings, BAFLOP-pellet supplementation improved nutrient digestibility, ruminal pH and microbial population, without having any adverse effects on voluntary feed intake. The present study showed promising results for BAFLOP pellets (40 g/kg DMI) as a rumen dietary buffering agent, suggesting that these pellets could be used a replacement for sodium bicarbonate in ruminants fed high-concentrate diets.

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