Effect of condensed tannins from Leucaena leucocephala on rumen fermentation, methane production and population of rumen protozoa in heifers fed low-quality forage

Condensed tannins (CTs) are plant anti-herbivore compounds with antimicrobial activity that can be used in ruminant diets as ruminal microbiome manipulators. However, not all CTs from fodder legumes are bioactive due to their wide structural diversity. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of 10 CT-containing plants (Flemingia macrophylla, Leucaena leucocephala, Stylosanthes guianensis, Gliricidia sepium, Cratylia argentea, Cajanus cajan, Desmodium ovalifolium, Macrotiloma axilare, D. paniculatum, and Lespedeza procumbens) on in vitro fermentation kinetics of Nelore beef cattle. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a specific CT-binding agent, was added to neutralize condensed tannin. Tifton and alfalfa hay were used as controls lacking CT. The experimental layout included a randomized complete block with factorial design and four blocks. The data were subjected to analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s test to determine differences (p < 0.05) among treatment means. The addition of PEG in browse incubations resulted in increased gas production, fermentation rate, short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) and N-NH3 release. Within our study, Lespedeza procumbens, Desmodium paniculatum, Leucaena leucocephala, Desmodium ovalifolium, and Flemingia macrophylla showed superior bioactivity compared to other species evaluated, suggesting a natural alternative for replacing ionophores to modify ruminal fermentation. Condensed tannins from L. pocumbens, D. paniculatum, L. leucocephala, D. ovalifolium, and F. macrophylla have the potential to modify rumen fermentation in beef cattle.

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Reducing enteric methane production from buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) by garlic oil supplementation in in vitro rumen fermentation system

SN Applied Sciences ◽

10.1007/s42452-021-04264-6 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

Author(s):

Avijit Dey ◽

Shyam Sundar Paul ◽

Puran Chand Lailer ◽

Satbir Singh Dahiya

Keyword(s):

Environmental Pollution ◽

Methane Production ◽

Rumen Fluid ◽

Bubalus Bubalis ◽

Rumen Fermentation ◽

Acetyl Esterase ◽

Garlic Oil ◽

Enteric Methane ◽

In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

AbstractEnteric methane production contributes significantly to the greenhouse gas emission globally. Although, buffaloes are integral part of livestock production in Asian countries, contributing milk, meat and draft power, the contribution of enteric methane to environmental pollution attracts attention. The present study investigated the efficacy of garlic (Allium sativum) oil in reducing enteric methane production from buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by in vitro rumen fermentation. Garlic oil (GOL) was tested at four concentrations [0 (Control), 33.33 µl (GOL-1), 83.33 µl (GOL-2) and 166.66 µl (GOL-3) per litre of buffered rumen fluid] in 100-ml graduated glass syringes and incubated at 39℃ for 24 h for in vitro rumen fermentation study. Supplementation of GOL-1 increased (p < 0.05) total gas production in comparison with GOL-3; however, it remained comparable (p > 0.05) with control and GOL-2. Graded doses of garlic oil inclusions reduced (p < 0.001) methane concentration (%) in total gas and total methane production (ml/g DM), irrespective of concentrations. The feed degradability, volatile fatty acids and microbial biomass production (MBP) were not affected (p > 0.05) by GOL-1, but these tended to decrease in GOL-2 with marked reduction (p < 0.01) in GOL-3. The decrease (p < 0.01) in NH3–N concentration in fermentation fluid in the presence of garlic oil, irrespective of concentration, suggests reduced deamination by inhibiting rumen proteolytic bacterial population. The activities of ruminal fibrolytic enzymes (CMCase, xylanase, β-glucosidase, acetyl esterase) were not affected by lower dose (GOL-1) of garlic oil; however, reduction (p < 0.05) of these enzymes activity in rumen liquor was evident at higher doses (GOL-2 and GOL-3) of supplementation. This study shows positive impact of garlic oil supplementation at low dose (33.33 µl/l of rumen fluid) in reducing enteric methane production, thereby, abatement of environmental pollution without affecting feed digestibility.

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