Effectiveness of herbal plants on rumen fermentation, methane gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and population of protozoa

Abstract

Background and Aim: Herbal plants have the potential to reduce the population of metagonic bacteria and protozoa due to the bioactive compound contained in herbal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane (CH4) gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and protozoan populations. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of two stages. Stage I involved determining the potential of herbal plants to increase total gas production (Orskov and McDonald methods) and reduce the protozoan population (Hristov method). Three potential herbs were selected at this stage and used in Stage II as supplements in the palm kernel cake (PKC)-based diet (30% herbal plants + 70% PKC). Proximate and Van Soest analyses were used to determine the chemical composition. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), and rumen fermentation characteristics were determined using Theodorous method. Conway microdiffusion was used to determine ammonia concentration (NH3). Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and partial volatile fatty acid production. Results: The results of the first stage showed that seven herbal plants (Moringa oleifera, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Clerodendron serratum, Curcuma longa Linn., Urena lobata, Uncaria, and Parkia timoriana) significantly differed in terms of total gas production (p < 0.05). Herbal plants can increase gas production and reduce protozoan populations. The highest total gas production was observed using P. timoriana, M. oleifera, and C. longa Linn. Moringa oleifera plants were the most effective in lowering protozoa population. In Stage 2, the supplementation of herbal plants in PKC-based-diet significantly increased IVDMD, that was ranged from 56.72% to 65.77%, IVOMD that was ranged from 52.10% to 59.54%, and NH3, that was ranged from 13.20 mM to 17.91 mM. Volatile fatty acid partial and total gas production potential and CH4> gas emissions were also significantly different from those of the control (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of M. oleifera, C. longa Linn., and P. timoriana in ruminant diet effectively increased total gas production, IVDMD percentage, and IVOMD, and reduced CH4 gas emissions and protozoa populations during rumen fermentation. Keywords: herbal plants, in vitro, methane, protozoa.

Influence of Protein-Energy Balance on Growth, Production, and Reproduction in Pesisir Heifers

“…The pattern of OMD is linear with DMD because it constitutes the largest component of DM. This linear pattern has been previously observed by Antonius et al (2023); Elihasridas et al (2023a). The organic material components in the A1B2 treatment are more easily degraded by rumen microbes, resulting in higher OMD than other treatments.…”

Nutrition profile and rumen fermentation of Tithonia diversifolia fermented with Lactobacillus bulgaricus at different times and doses

“…Gang et al [ 27 ] found that increased DM digestibility was followed by increased gas production with the addition of lactic acid bacteria inoculum. The gas produced during rumen fermentation is considered an indicator of rumen digestibility, which is related to DM and OM digestibility [ 28 , 29 ]. The in vitro digestibility and fiber fraction content of ADF and NDF in this study, as well as total gas production, align with the reports of previous studies [ 29 ].…”

Nutrient digestibility, characteristics of rumen fermentation, and microbial protein synthesis from Pesisir cattle diet containing non-fiber carbohydrate to rumen degradable protein ratio and sulfur supplement

“…According to Antonius et al [14], an elevated breakdown of organic matter in the diet corresponds to increased nutrient sufficiency for livestock. The digestibility pattern of organic matter is similar to that of DM digestibility.…”