Effects of Flavonoids on Rumen Fermentation Activity, Methane Production, and Microbial Population

Abstract

This research was carried out to evaluate the effects of flavone, myricetin, naringin, catechin, rutin, quercetin, and kaempferol at the concentration of 4.5% of the substrate (dry matter basis) on the rumen microbial activity in vitro. Mixture of guinea grass and concentrate (60 : 40) was used as the substrate. The results showed that all the flavonoids except naringin and quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) decreased the dry matter degradability. The gas production significantly (P < 0.05) decreased by flavone, myricetin, and kaempferol, whereas naringin, rutin, and quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) increased the gas production. The flavonoids suppressed methane production significantly (P < 0.05). The total VFA concentration significantly (P < 0.05) decreased in the presence of flavone, myricetin, and kaempferol. All flavonoids except naringin and quercetin significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the carboxymethyl cellulase, filter paperase, xylanase, and β-glucosidase activities, purine content, and the efficiency of microbial protein synthesis. Flavone, myricetin, catechin, rutin, and kaempferol significantly (P < 0.05) reduced the population of rumen microbes. Total populations of protozoa and methanogens were significantly (P < 0.05) suppressed by naringin and quercetin. The results of this research demonstrated that naringin and quercetin at the concentration of 4.5% of the substrate (dry matter basis) were potential metabolites to suppress methane production without any negative effects on rumen microbial fermentation.

Physicochemical Characteristics, in Vitro Fermentation Indicators, Gas Production Kinetics, and Degradability of Solid Herbal Waste as Alternative Feed Source for Ruminants

“…Some evidences show that natural compounds of flavonoids also have direct effects against methanogens and to be an alternative agent to suppress methane production and improve animal health and productivity (Bodas et al, 2012). Oskoueian et al (2013) demonstrated that flavonoids naringin and quercetin at the concentration of 4.5% of the substrate (dry matter basis) were potential metabolites to suppress methane production without any negative effects on rumen microbial fermentation. Seradj et al (2014) found that relative quantification of the abundance of hydrogenotrophic methanogenic archaea (HMA) population was reduced by the addition of Bioflavex ® and its pure flavonoid components (Narangine and Neohesperidine).…”

A comparative study of conventional and supercritical fluid extraction methods for the recovery of secondary metabolites from Syzygium campanulatum Korth

“…The MeOH extract of S. campanulatum has been analyzed for anticolon cancer activity (Aisha et al, 2013). In addition to S. campanulatum, flavanones, chalcones, and triterpenoids are also found as the most frequent secondary metabolites in other plants (Jäger et al, 2009;Oskoueian et al, 2013). Furthermore, these secondary metabolites possessed paramount pharmacological activities like anticancer (Wattenberg et al, 1994), analgesic, anti-inflammatory (Kim et al, 2010), antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal (Gafner et al, 1996), and antiviral (Havsteen, 2002).…”

Browse species from Ethiopia: role in methane reduction and nematode control in goats

“…The presence of PD-and quercetin-based polyphenols appeared to be related to the decrease in CH 4 production. Quercetin added to a grass/concentrate substrate in vitro did not have a significant effect on ruminal fibre degrading microbes but significantly reduced the protozoal population (Oskoueian et al, 2013).…”