Effect of the ruminal liquid extraction method in the in vitro gas technique

In vitro gas studies require the use of cannulated animals; however, the high cost of the surgery limits its application. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate the effect of the ruminal fluid extraction technique by oro-ruminal probe affects the results derived from the in vitro gas production technique (GPT). Elaeis guineensis meal was used as a substrate. Ruminal fluid was obtained in two ways: cannulated animals and oro-ruminal probe. Dry matter degradation was estimated (DMD), parameters of fermentation kinetics and fractional volume by the GPT. The comparison of means was carried out using the Tukey procedure (p<0,05). The results indicated the lack of significant statistical differences (p>0,05). It was concluded that the ruminal fluid extraction technique did not modify the DGRMS, the parameters and fermentation fractions of E. guineensis.

DRY MATTER DEGRADATION CHA RACTERISTICS OF RICE STOVER WITH DIFFERENT PROPORTIONS OF Ficus capensis OR Alchornea cordifolia IN RUMEN FISTULATED SHEEP, GOATS OR CATTLE

Rumen dry matter degradation characteristics (soluble fraction, degradable fraction, rate of degradation and effective degradability) of leaves of two browse species (Alchornea cordifolia, Ficus capensis) and rice stover and their varying proportions (10, 20 or 30% of each browse: crop residue mixture) were evaluated in rumen fistulated West African Dwarf sheep and goats and Bunaji cattle. The forages differed (P<0.05) in soluble fraction (a) rate of degradation (c) and effective degradability (ED) but did not differ in the degradable fraction (b). Rice stover bad the highest rate of degradation and F. capensis the least. Effective degradability (ED) was highest in cattle followed by sheep and goats with a high degree of correlation among them. The inclusion of the different proportions of browse in the mixtures show some significance in a, b and ED (P<0.05). Mixture had a depressive effect on the soluble fraction of the feeds in rice stover: A. cordifolia mixtures. Degradable fraction differed mainly in F. capensis mixtures. The rate of degradation was affected mainly in sheep and cattle among the feeds in rice stover: F. capensis mixtures. The different mixtures influenced effective degradability. As with the sole feeds, ED was highest in cattle, followed by sheep and goats.

In vitro gas and methane production and dry matter degradation of pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma) silages with pangola grass (Digitaria decumbens) hay

Objetivo: Determinar la producción de gas, metano y degradación de la materia seca in vitro de ensilados elaborados con cascara y pulpa de calabaza (CPC; Cucurbita argyrosperma), heno de pasto pangola (Digitaria decumbens) y como aditivos urea y dos porcentajes de inclusión de melaza fermentados durante 14 y 21 días. Metodología: Los ensilados (2 Kg) fueron: E1 = 72.5% de CPC, 22.5% de pasto pangola, 3% de melaza y 2% de urea; E2 = 72.5% de CPC, 19.5% de pasto pangola, 6% de melaza y 2% de urea. Ambos ensilados se fermentaron por 14 y 21 días. Se evaluó la producción de gas, metano (CH4), conteo de bacterias totales y degradación de materia seca (DEGMS). El diseño experimental fue un diseño completamente al azar con arreglo factorial 2 x 2 con tipos de ensilado y tiempo de fermentación como factores. Resultados: El E1 a los 21 d mostró la menor producción de gas a las 72 h (46.96 mL g-1 MS) y menor DEGMS (35.78%; p ? 0.05). La producción de CH4 y conteo de bacterias totales no mostraron diferencias (p > 0.05) entre tipos de ensilado, ni tiempos de fermentación. Limitaciones del estudio: La inclusión de 3% de melaza con un tiempo de fermentación de 21 días presentó la menor producción de gas y degradación de la materia seca en ensilados con cascara y pulpa de calabaza y heno de pasto pangola. Conclusiones: Los ensilados elaborados con cascara y pulpa de calabaza son una alternativa viable para conservar y producir alimento para rumiantes en la época de sequía; así mismo usar adecuadamente materiales potencialmente contaminantes como la cascara y pulpa de calabaza.

Synergistic Effect of Biofat and Biochar of Cashew Nutshell on Mitigate Methane in the Rumen

The study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination of biofat with biochar or biosmoke (bioindustrial products of cashew nut shells) at the best level as feed additive in reducing methane production and improving in vitro rumen fermentation. This experiment had two series of combination and each used a randomized block design with 6 treatments and 4 replications. A series of biofat (BF) and biochar (BC) combination were added each to substrate as followed BFBC1 = 0: 100%; BFBC2 = 25:75%; BFBC3 = 50:50%; BFBC4 = 75:25%; BFBC5 = 100: 0%. While, a series of biofat (BF) and biosmoke (BS) combination as followed BFBS1 = 0: 100%; BFBS2 = 25:75%; BFBS3 = 50:50%; BFBS4 = 75:25%; BFBS5 = 100: 0%. Both series used a control treatment which contained only substrate. The in vitro experiment was repeated 4 times and each treatment was done in duplicates. The measured variables were: total gas and CH4 productions, dry matter, organic matter, NDF degradability, NH3 and partial VFA concentrations. The results showed that the combination of biofat and biochar levels resulted in a significant decrease (P<0.01) of CH4 production in the rumen. CH4 production was 88.50% (BFBC1), 63.15% (BFBC2), 61.50% (BFBC3), 58.16% (BFBC4) and 73.93% (BFBC5) compared to control treatment (100% CH4 production). The combination caused higher NH3 at BFBC4 and significantly higher propionate and total VFA in the rumen than control. Dry matter degradation values increased by a combination level biofat and biochar (BFBC4 and BFBC5), but these results were the same as control. Addition of combination of biofat and biosmoke caused a significant decrease (P<0.01) of CH4 production in the rumen. CH4 production was 71.98% (BFBS1), 65.57% (BFBS2), 64.81% (BFBS3),60.21% (BFBS4) dan 80.72 (BFBS5) compared to control treatment (100% CH4 production). At BFBS4 level, NH3 production, DMD and OMD values were lower than control. In conclusion, the best combination producing synergistic effect as feed additive to reduce methane and increase ammonia in the in vitro rumen was combination of biofat and biochar (BFBC4=75: 25%) or biofat with biosmoke (BFBS4= 75: 25%).

Temporal changes in microbial communities attached to forages with different lignocellulosic compositions in cattle rumen

ABSTRACT The attachment of rumen microbes to feed particles is critical to feed fermentation, degradation and digestion. However, the extent to which the physicochemical properties of feeds influence the colonization by rumen microbes is still unclear. We hypothesized that rumen microbial communities may have differential preferences for attachments to feeds with varying lignocellulose properties. To this end, the structure and composition of microbial communities attached to six common forages with different lignocellulosic compositions were analyzed following in situ rumen incubation in male Taleshi cattle. The results showed that differences in lignocellulosic compositions significantly affected the inter-sample diversity of forage-attached microbial communities in the first 24 h of rumen incubation, during which the highest dry matter degradation was achieved. However, extension of the incubation to 96 h resulted in the development of more uniform microbial communities across the forages. Fibrobacteres were significantly overrepresented in the bacterial communities attached to the forages with the highest neutral detergent fiber contents. Ruminococcus tended to attach to the forages with low acid detergent lignin contents. The extent of dry matter fermentation was significantly correlated with the populations of Fibrobacteraceae, unclassified Bacteroidales, Ruminococcaceae and Spirochaetacea. Our findings suggested that lignocellulosic compositions, and more specifically the cellulose components, significantly affected the microbial attachment to and thus the final digestion of the forages.

Rumen fermentation kinetics as impacted by red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus, L) leaf powder using in vitro gas production technique

Background A need for research searching for alternative rumen enhancers warrants immediate attention. The in vitro fermentation experiment was conducted using factorial arrangement of two factors of roughage to concentrate and seven level of red amaranth leaf powder percentage of total substrate in a Completely randomized design (CRD). Two factors, namely Factor A was two ratio of roughage (R) to concentrate (C) at 60:40 and 40:60 and Factor B was level of red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus, L) leaf powder (RALP) supplementation at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12% of total dietary substrate. Results Red amaranth leaf powder (RALP) contained phytonutrients both condensed tannins and saponins in addition with high macro minerals (Ca, K, and Mg). This experiment revealed innovations of the RALP supplementation by enhancing rumen propionate (C3) production, reducing acetate (C2) to (C3) ratio, reducing protozoal population and mitigating methane (CH4) production. Furthermore, rumen dry matter degradation percentages were remarkably enhanced (P < 0.001) by increasing RALP supplementation. Conclusion Plants rich in phytonutrients and minerals such as red amaranth leaf powder (RALP) have a vital and promising role in modulating rumen fermentation, mitigating methane production, as well as increasing substrate degradability.

Residue of propolis extract in bovine diets with increasing levels of protein on rumen fermentation

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of the residue from the extraction of propolis, added to bovine diets with increasing levels of protein, on ruminal fermentation in vitro. For this, the in vitro gas production technique was used. Incubation was carried out with inocula from three fistulated cows, in three periods. In each period, a cow received a daily dose of 100 g propolis residue. Four diets were evaluated: corn silage (control); and 25, 50, and 75% concentrate based on soybean meal. The following were determined: kinetics of rumen fermentation; dry matter degradation; production of gases, volatile fatty acids (acetate, propionate, and butyrate), methane, and ammonia nitrogen; and pH. The inclusion of 14.4, 15.1, and 9.5% propolis residue, respectively, to 25, 50, and 75% concentrate increased the production of gases from the degradation of fibrous carbohydrates, when compared with the control. The propolis residue reduces methane production and the acetate:propionate ratio at all tested concentrate inclusion levels.

Dry matter degradation kinetics of selected tropical forage in Nili-Ravi buffalo and Cholistani cows at heifer and lactating stages using NorFor in situ standards

Current methods of ruminant ration formulation in Pakistan use foreign-based nutrient availability values. These values may not be optimal for all geographic areas, as variation in environment, agronomic factors, animal species, and diet characteristics may not be considered. The aim of present study was to establish a database of the chemical composition and dry matter degradation parameters of tropical forage commonly fed to ruminants in Pakistan and South Asian countries using Nili-Ravi buffalo and Cholistani cattle at heifer and lactating stages. Six cereal grain and four legume species were grown in 3 locations under standard agronomic conditions and sampled at booting and at 50% flowering stage for cereal and legumes, respectively. Dried and milled feeds were analyzed for chemical composition and in situ dry matter degradation parameters using 1 g samples in bags placed in the rumen of 2 Nili-Ravi buffalo heifers, 2 lactating Nili-Ravi buffaloes, 2 Cholistani heifers, and 2 lactating Cholistani cows. The forage family (cereal vs. legumes), species, and geographic location of growth significantly influenced (P < 0.001) chemical composition and in situ degradation fractions. Animal species and developmental stage showed no effect on degradation fractions (P > 0.05). Legume-by-heifer interactions significantly increased (P < 0.05), and legume-by-lactating cow interaction tended (P = 0.065), to increase the rate of degradation (Kd). The selected forages were degraded to a similar extent independent of animal species or developmental stage, and legumes are degraded at higher rates and to a greater extent than are cereals. A moderately significant relationship between Kd and effective dry matter degradability (DMD) suggests that Kd could be the single most important predictor of forage degradability in the rumen.

Nutritional value of dehydrated maize straw ammoniated with urea

SUMMARY This study aimed to evaluate the chemical composition and in situ degradation dry matter of maize straw ammoniated with urea. This was a completely randomized design with five levels of ammoniation (0; 2; 4; 6 and 8% dry matter), with five repetitions. There was effect (P<0.05) of the ammoniation process on the retention of nitrogen in maize straw. For each 1% utilization of urea, we observed a reduction of 1.57% nitrogen retention. The dry matter content was not influenced (P>0.05) by the ammoniation; straw presented a mean value of 75%. In turn, the crude protein content increased (P<0.05) with ammoniation, increasing from 2.74% in the straw without treatment to 10 and 11% with the levels of 6 and 8% urea, respectively. For each 1% urea used, we found a reduction (P<0.05) of 0.65% in the neutral detergent fiber content of maize straw. The acid detergent fiber presented effect (P<0.05) in response to ammoniation. The technique provided a reduction of 0.69% acid detergent fiber for each 1% urea used. For dry matter degradation, we observed an increase in the soluble fraction up to the level of 6% urea. The ammoniation process favored the increase in the dry matter degradation rate of maize straw. It is recommended to conduct the ammoniation process in maize straw with 6% urea.