This study determined the effect of purified condensed tannin inclusion levels in a diet on production, haematological indices, blood biochemical components, meat quality and methane emission by yearling indigenous male Bapedi sheep on a grass hay and sheep pellet-based diet in a 28-day trial. The diets contained similar (P > 0.05) nutrients but with different (P < 0.05) purified condensed tannin supplementation levels. A complete randomized design was used. Twenty-four yearling male Bapedi sheep were assigned to four dietary treatments having different purified condensed tannin levels of 0 (GH80P20PCT0), 30 (GH80P20PCT30), 40 (GH80P20PCT40) and 50 (GH80P20PCT50) g/kg DM. A quadratic type of equation was also used to determine condensed tannin supplementation levels for optimal performance and methane emission reduction by sheep. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins did not affect (P > 0.05) diet intake, digestibility and live weight gain of male Bapedi sheep. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins did not affect (P > 0.05) blood components of male Bapedi sheep. Inclusion of condensed tannins in the diets did not affect (P > 0.05) Bapedi sheep meat pH and sensory attributes. However, supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins decreased (P < 0.05) methane emission by 51 to 60%. A 49.08 g supplementation level with purified condensed tannins per kg DM diet was calculated, with the use of quadratic equations, to result in the lowest methane emission by male Bapedi sheep. The meat of male Bapedi rams on diets containing 30, 40 or 50 g of purified condensed tannins per kg DM contained higher (P < 0.05) antioxidant activities than those from rams fed a diet without purified condensed tannins. These results indicate that purified condensed tannin supplementation levels of 0, 30, 40 or 50 g/kg DM diet had no adverse effects on growth performance, blood profiles and meat sensory attributes of male Bapedi sheep. However, supplementation levels of 30, 40 or 50 g of purified condensed tannins per kg DM diet reduced methane emission by 51 to 60%, and increased sheep meat antioxidant activity values. Supplementing diets with purified condensed tannins has the potential to reduce methane production and emission by sheep. However, long-term studies are recommended to ascertain the present findings.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
customersupport@researchsolutions.com
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.