The effect of enzyme treatment on thein vitrofermentation of lucerne incubated with equine faecal inocula

Abstract

A series of experiments was conducted to determine the effects of a fibrolytic enzyme preparation (enzyme 1; E1) on the in vitro fermentation of lucerne incubated with equine faecal inocula. In experiment 1, high-temperature-dried (HT) lucerne was treated with five levels of E1 (0 to 2·4 ml/g DM) and incubated at 508C for 20 h. Samples then received a simulated foregut digestion (SFD) treatment before DM and NSP analysis. In experiment 2, HT lucerne was treated with the same enzyme levels used in experiment 1. Samples were then split into two groups; plus or minus an SFD treatment before in vitro fermentation using an equine faecal inoculum. In experiment 3, fresh and wilted lucerne were treated with the same levels of E1 as experiments 1 and 2, incubated at 508C for 20 h, then fermented in vitro. For experiment 4, fresh and wilted lucerne were treated with low levels (0 to 0·008 ml/g DM) of E1 before fermentation. E1 significantly (P,0·05) enhanced DM and NSP losses from HT lucerne following SFD treatment compared with the control. High levels of E1 significantly (P,0·05) enhanced the rate, but not extent, of fermentation of HT, wilted and fresh lucerne; however, low levels of E1 were ineffective. At higher application levels, E1 appears to have considerable potential to enhance the nutritive value of lucerne for horses. Information on the fermentation kinetics of the substrates was valuable; all end-point measurements showed no effect of enzyme treatment. Enzyme treatment: In vitro fermentation: Equine inocula: LucerneThere is increasing interest in feeding high-energy, fibre-based feeds as an alternative to feeding cereal grains as a means of meeting the energy demands of working horses. This is due to the association of the onset of metabolic disorders, such as laminitis and colic, with feeding high levels of cereal grains. Preparations of fibrolytic enzymes have the potential to initiate the hydrolysis of forage fibre (structural carbohydrates), rendering the fibrous fraction more amenable to degradation in vivo. Exogenous fibrolytic enzymes have been reported to enhance the nutritive value of forages fed to ruminants by enhancing the digestibility of plant structural carbohydrates, thus enhancing the overall energy balance in the animal (Beauchemin et al.

Evaluation of an in vitro system to simulate equine foregut digestion and the influence of acidity on protein and fructan degradation in the horse′s stomach

“…The protocol bases on earlier investigations (Murray et al., ; Abdouli and Attia, ), but some parameters have been adapted due to the physiological situation in the equine intestinal tract and pre‐studies (unpublished data) based on personal communications. The study was performed in two parts:…”

In Vitro Assessment of Fecal Inocula From Horses Fed on High-Fiber Diets With Fibrolytic Enzymes Addition on Gas, Methane, and Carbon Dioxide Productions as Indicators of Hindgut Activity

“…In the rumen of ruminants and in the cecum of equines, living microorganisms give them the ability to break down fibers to meet their energy demands. Consequently, the application of exogenous enzymes to fibrous feeds may help release starches, sugars, proteins, vitamins, and minerals for digestion and absorption in the small intestine [14]. However, the potential of exogenous enzymes to enhance the digestion of fibers in the hindgut of the equine is inconclusive.…”

In vitro fermentation of different ratios of alfalfa and starch or inulin incubated with an equine faecal inoculum

“…The faecal inoculum was prepared as described previously (Murray et al, 2005) with the following modifications; ratio of culture media: faeces was 2:1 and homogenized in a blender prior to filtration. The resultant suspension was strained through a triple layer of muslin and collected in a CO 2 filled flask.…”