Optimizing Anthocyanin-Rich Black Cane (Saccharum sinensis Robx.) Silage for Ruminants Using Molasses and Iron Sulphate: A Sustainable Alternative

Abstract

Anthocyanin-rich black cane (aBC) is a grass rich in lignin and carbohydrates, with an abundance of anthocyanins. Silages of aBC produced with molasses (MS) and/or ferrous sulphate (FS) mixtures may have beneficial effects on silage quality and animal performance in ruminants. However, the addition of MS and FS to ensiled grass is relatively unexplored. Therefore, this study systematically evaluated the effect of their administration at different doses to select an effective treatment to modulate the ensiling characteristics of aBC. In the first trial, fresh or pre-ensiled materials (PBC) were compared with ensiled PBC treated with: 0% MS 0% FS, 4% MS, 8% MS, 0.015% FS, 0.030% FS, 4% MS + 0.015% FS, 4% MS + 0.030% FS, 8% MS + 0.015% FS, and 8% MS + 0.030% FS on a fresh matter basis. The quality of ensiling characteristics was determined in laboratory-scale silos after 42 d of preservation. Based on these results, the second trial was further conducted in rumen cultures to ensure that the selected treatment would not impair rumen fermentation. For this, ruminal biogases, rumen fermentation profiles, and microbial communities were evaluated. Ensiled PBC with the incremental addition of MS and FS resulted in the observations for anthocyanin contents and the ensiling characteristics of the aBC silages. The combination of MS (4%) and FS (0.030%) incorporated into silages had the highest silage production effect among the experimental treatments. This combination demonstrated the sustainable mitigation of the ruminal biogases of methane and carbon dioxide without impairment of total gas production. Concurrently, this combination improved total volatile fatty acid concentrations, modulated cellulolytic bacteria, and suppressed methanogenic bacteria in rumen fluids. The results presented here indicated that addition of a mixture of 4% MS and 0.030% FS to aBC resulted in an optimal balance of ensiling characteristics and is suitable for use in ruminants.

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

“…Ensiling has been proposed as an efficient method of preserving roughage in light of the fact that such agricultural activities pose a significant disposal problem, e.g., decomposition or open burning. However, it necessitates a suitable effort prior to ensiling because the breakdown of biomass during anaerobic fermentation results in functional microorganisms and chemicals that reduce nutrient loss in addition to harmful substances ( 1 ). Using iron dilutions can help significantly with forage preservation ( 2 ).…”

“…However, the highly lignified components of anthocyanin-rich black cane reduce the bioaccessibility of anthocyanin during rumen feeding. In addition, earlier studies demonstrated that the incorporation of anthocyanin-rich black cane with dilutions of FSH at levels ranging from 0.015 to 0.030% on fresh weight (FW) into anthocyanin-rich black cane silages improved the nutritional balance with massively decreased lignin contents, as well as modulated anthocyanin stability during ensiling, and in vitro ruminal fermentation of anthocyanin-rich black cane silages ( 1 , 2 ). These findings support the notion that using those FSH levels might aid the current study in terms of decreasing the lignin content of anthocyanin-rich black cane silages prior to feeding.…”

“…These findings support the notion that using those FSH levels might aid the current study in terms of decreasing the lignin content of anthocyanin-rich black cane silages prior to feeding. FSH is a beneficial inorganic salt that acts as a catalyst in enzymatic hydrolysis and fermentation during ensiling ( 1 , 2 ). Besides, anthocyanin in black cane-treated FSH was discovered to be stable throughout rumen fermentation ( 2 ).…”

“…As a consequence of this, anthocyanins are made available for absorption and may be able to utilize their antioxidative properties to provide protection against the damaging effects of oxidative stress. Furthermore, ensiling anthocyanin-rich black cane with 0.030% FSH included increased the acetate to propionate ratio, as well as a shift in the structure and relative abundance of the microbial population in incubated rumen fluids in vitro ( 1 , 2 ). Similarly, recent studies showed that the microbial community in slaughtered goat rumen fluid was shifted to have a tendency to increase the acetate to propionate ratio, as influencing anthocyanin fractions from purple corn ( 12 ) and black cane ( 9 ).…”

“…To date, however, evaluation of anthocyanin-rich black cane silage treated with FSH has been limited to laboratory scale silos and in vitro laboratory procedures ( 1 , 2 ). It is unclear how to apply current in vitro results to studies on how FSH-treated silage affects animal performance and meat quality in practice.…”