Growth Performance, Blood Biochemical Indices, Rumen Bacterial Community, and Carcass Characteristics in Goats Fed Anthocyanin-Rich Black Cane Silage

Abstract

The goal of this study was to investigate the effects of a standard total mixed ration (TMR) with containing anthocyanin-rich plants on animal performance, blood biochemical indices, rumen fermentation, microbial composition, and carcass characteristics in meat goats. Thirty-six healthy crossbred Thai-native Anglo-Nubian male goats (14.42 ± 0.6 kg) were used to compare the possibility of using anthocyanin-rich black cane silage (AS) in place of Napier grass silage (NS) as a functional feed resource. All goats received a 90-d routine feeding consisting of two experimental diets that were isocaloric and isonitrogenous: the control group received TMR containing 50% NS (NS; n = 18), and one group received TMR containing 50% AS (AS; n = 18). Average daily weight gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) were measured as indicators of performance. At the end of the experiment, meat, blood, and rumen samples were collected. There were no differences between the two groups in terms of final body weight, ADG, DMI, or ADG/DMI. There were no differences in rumen pH or total volatile fatty acids (VFAs); however, rumen ammonia N concentrations were lower in the AS group than in the NS group. Individual VFA concentrations varied, with AS group containing more Ruminococcus albus and NS group containing more methanogenic bacteria. Blood biochemical indices varied, with NS group having higher TBARS concentration and AS group having higher concentrations of TAC, SOD, CAT, GSH-Px, and GSH-Rx. Goat meat from the AS group had higher levels of intramuscular fat and was more tender compared to goat meat from the NS group. The feeding of anthocyanin-rich black cane appears to be an attractive alternative for Napier grass in the nutrition of meat goats. The current results indicate that the feeding of a TMR containing 50% anthocyanin-rich black cane alleviates oxidative stress and promotes the production of tender meat.

Silage Fermentation Quality, Anthocyanin Stability, and in vitro Rumen Fermentation Characteristic of Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate-Treated Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis R.)

“…This resulted in an increase in the acetic to propionic acid ratio, as with FBC and SHF ( Figure 3 ). Our findings were consistent with prior studies ( 2 , 7 ), indicating that FS has a minor residual influence and that BC may maintain an acceptable acid-base environment without inducing rumen acidosis (pH = 6.70–6.86). Greater substrate breakdown led to higher VFA concentrations in rumen fluids.…”

“…Anthocyanins are naturally occurring pigments found in a broad variety of plants. They are not only employed as a food colorant addition, but they can also be utilized to reduce the risk of numerous illnesses and have several functional and biological properties for ruminants, such as antioxidant activity ( 4 , 7 ). Within a slightly acidic pH range, the overall anthocyanin and anthocyanin levels were comparable to those found in Chinese sugarcane ( 16 , 37 ), but particular anthocyanin amounts, such as cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G), pelargonidin-3-glucoside (P3G), delphinidin (Del), peonidin-3-O-glucoside (Peo3G), malvidin-3-O-glucoside (M3G), cyanidin (Cya), pelargonidin (Pel), and malvidin (Mal) were higher in BC.…”

“…It is thus either left to rot in the field or burned in the open, both of which have substantial environmental consequences. For this reason, ensiling has been recommended as a viable means of preserving roughage and so supplying animals with a nutritious feed source ( 7 ).…”

Dietary inclusion of anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with ferrous sulfate heptahydrate reduces oxidative stress and promotes tender meat production in goats

“…From a practical standpoint, the feeding of anthocyanin-rich black cane ( Saccharum sinensis Robx.) can be regarded as a beneficial feed resource in tropical ruminant nutrition, including beneficial anthocyanins for meat goats ( 9 , 10 ). Anthocyanin-rich black cane is a by-product of agricultural production, and the total yield of anthocyanin-rich black cane is estimated to be 1.2 × 10 7 metric tons of dry matter (DM) in 2021 from 1.58 × 10 6 ha in Thailand ( 9 , 11 ).…”

“…can be regarded as a beneficial feed resource in tropical ruminant nutrition, including beneficial anthocyanins for meat goats ( 9 , 10 ). Anthocyanin-rich black cane is a by-product of agricultural production, and the total yield of anthocyanin-rich black cane is estimated to be 1.2 × 10 7 metric tons of dry matter (DM) in 2021 from 1.58 × 10 6 ha in Thailand ( 9 , 11 ). However, the highly lignified components of anthocyanin-rich black cane reduce the bioaccessibility of anthocyanin during rumen feeding.…”