Potential of guava leaves for mitigating methane emissions and modulating ruminal fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability

Abstract

Guava leaves (Psidium guajava, GL), a high-phenolic- and flavonoid-containing plant resource capable of substituting the high-quality forage, may help in mitigating ruminal methane (CH) emission without adverse impact on nutrient degradability if supplemented at an appropriate level. In order to test this hypothesis, rumen fermentation, CH production, and nutrient degradability of GL either solely or as a substitute of berseem hay (Trifolium alexandrinum, BH) were evaluated in a diet containing 50:50 concentrate to roughage. Five different levels of GL (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, and 50%) were tested in vitro after 24 h incubation using a semi-automated gas production (GP) system. The current findings indicated that merely the presence of GL resulted in significantly lower values for cumulative GP (P < 0.001), CH emission (P < 0.05), truly degraded dry matter (TDDM; P < 0.001), truly degraded organic matter (TDOM; P < 0.001), and ammonia nitrogen (NH-N) concentration (P < 0.001); however, pH (P < 0.001) and partitioning factor (P < 0.001) were higher. The total and individual volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations were drastically declined with GL as compared to BH (P < 0.05). A negative linear correlation was recorded between the levels of GL and GP including CH production (P < 0.05). The addition of GL up to 25% did not pose any negative effect on both TDDM and TDOM values along with NH-N concentration. In addition, the inclusion of GL up to 25% did not affect the total or individual VFA concentration. Conclusively, in a medium concentrate diet, use of 25% GL and 25% BH in animal diet could be a promising alternative for mitigating the CH production without any deleterious effect on nutrient degradability.

Potential of selected plant extracts to control severe subacute ruminal acidosis in vitro as compared with monensin

“…These components have many properties, such as anticarcinogenic, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial [15]. Many studies have reported that these PSCs enhance rumen fermentation characteristics by reducing methane emission and increasing animal productivity [16][17][18]. For instance, Wall, et al [19] reported that a blend of plant extracts containing cinnamaldehyde, the main bioactive of cinnamon, can increase milk production and dry matter intake in lactating dairy cows.…”

Paulownia Leaves as A New Feed Resource: Chemical Composition and Effects on Growth, Carcasses, Digestibility, Blood Biochemistry, and Intestinal Bacterial Populations of Growing Rabbits

“…Moreover, the low quality and quantity of animal feeds are serious problems that limit the productivity of livestock worldwide. The importance of shrubs, trees, and herbs as fodder sources has been suggested because of their nutritional value (when compared with fodder trees, herbs, grasses, and shrubs with relatively higher levels of neutral detergent fiber, minerals, and crude protein) for grazing animals in low-quality grazing areas for long periods of the year [3,4]. Nowadays, nutritional solutions and strategies are being used to resolve these crises by using alternative feed ingredients, such as tropical and subtropical plants in rabbit rations [5].…”

Environmental impact of phytobiotic additives on greenhouse gas emission reduction, rumen fermentation manipulation, and performance in ruminants: an updated review

“…Furthermore, using phytobiotic plants in ensiling form, such as Neolamarckia cadamba and grape pomace, reduced the relative abundance of Methanobrevibacter , particularly Methanobrevibacter curvatus , Ruminococcaceae NK4A214 , Ruminococcaceae UCG-010 , and Christensenellaceae R-7 , while increasing the abundance of Succiniclasticum (Zhang et al 2022 ; Zhou et al 2021 ). The bioactive components of these plants may explain their inhibition effect on methanogenic bacteria; Al-Sagheer et al ( 2018 ) observed a negative linear correlation between CT and CH 4 production in vitro when guava leaves were used instead of berseem hay containing 1.60, 2.40, 3.14, and 3.10 g CT/kg DM. Moreover, it has been reported that phytobiotic additives do not affect methanogens, although CH 4 production decreases (Chen et al 2021 ; Wang et al 2022a ).…”