Effect of Yucca schidigera-based surfactant on ammonia utilization in vitro, and in situ degradability of corn grain

Potential of phytofactors to mitigate rumen ammonia and methane production

“…A probable reason for the observed differences may be: 1. a degree of bacterial cell degradation (Newbold et al, 1997), 2. saliva production disorder (Teferedegne, 2000), and 3. the possibility of saponin deactivation by animal saliva amylase (Odenyo et al, 1997). A significant factor that affects the effectiveness of saponins may be also the amount used in a feed ration (Hristov et al, 2004;Benchaar et al, 2008). It is confirmed also by research of other authors which used the supplementation of feed rations of sheep with YSE saponins (98 mg/kg diet, Desert King International Product, USA), showing reduction of methane emission by 15% (Wang et al, 2009).…”

Effects of Yucca schidigera on gas mitigation in livestock production: A review

“…An experiment in vitro showed that methane production from ruminal fluid was decreased differently with the increasing of sarsaponin concentration when using soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1) as substrates, either at 6 h and 24 h 33 . However, Hristov et al 73 did not observe significant effects of YSE on ruminal fermentation after 8 h incubations in vitro. But substituting 50% corn by barley grain in feed mixture (alfalfa hay, grain, soybean meal) had a positive effect on utilization of ammonia N in vitro 73 , suggesting that changing of specific components in the diets might be beneficial to the digestion of animals, which may make it easier for YSE to show its potential.…”

“…However, Hristov et al 73 did not observe significant effects of YSE on ruminal fermentation after 8 h incubations in vitro. But substituting 50% corn by barley grain in feed mixture (alfalfa hay, grain, soybean meal) had a positive effect on utilization of ammonia N in vitro 73 , suggesting that changing of specific components in the diets might be beneficial to the digestion of animals, which may make it easier for YSE to show its potential. Singer et al 32 indicated that 4 h gas production of YSE-modified rumen fluid was affected by different levels of starch in feedstuffs.…”

“…Although both experiments in vitro and in vivo have demonstrated the decreasing of ammonia 58,70,71 , the effects could only be observed when at higher application rates of YSE 72 . When at low application rates, YSE processed little biological effects on ruminal ammonia utilization 73 . When high levels of YSE (i.e., > 5 mg/mL) 32 were added in diets, protease activity may be increased, while deaminase activity was unchanged to avoid dietary protein degrade to ammonia 58 .…”

“…Rumen ammonia N levels tended to reduce with the increasing levels of YSE at high application rates 32, 74 . However, it remains a question about the mechanisms of ammonia reduction in response to YSE when short incubation time was incorporated in the experiment 73 .…”