The Effects of Oil Palm Fronds Silage Supplemented with Urea-Calcium Hydroxide on Rumen Fermentation and Nutrient Digestibility of Thai Native-Anglo Nubian Goats

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the combined effects of urea and calcium hydroxide ensiled oil palm fronds on rumen fermentation and digestibility of Thai native-Anglo Nubian goats. A 4 × 4 Latin square design was used to randomly assign four male crossbred goats (Thai native × Anglo Nubian). The dietary treatments were as follows: ensiled oil palm frond with no additives (EOPF as the control), urea 5% (50 g/kg fresh matter) (E-UOPF 5%), calcium hydroxide (Ca(OH)2) 5% (50 g/kg fresh matter) (E-CaOPF 5%), and combination of urea 2.5% (25 g/kg fresh matter) with Ca(OH)2 (25 g/kg fresh matter) (E-UCOPF 2.5%). The oil palm frond ensiled with different additives did not change the DM intake (p > 0.05). The total TMR intakes range from 69.39 to 77.09 g/kg BW0.75. The goats fed with E-UOPF 5.0% consumed significantly more CP than the other groups (p < 0.05). The E-UCOPF increased ME intake by 4.8%, compared with the control treatment (p < 0.05). E-UOPF 5% and E-UCOPF 2.5% significantly increased the CP digestibility by 19.7% and 17.1%, respectively (p < 0.05). Furthermore, E-CaOPF 5.0% and E-UCOPF 2.5% improved the NDF digestibility by about 10.9% and 9.90%, respectively (p < 0.05). The urea-containing oil palm frond (E-UOPF 5.0% and E-UCOPF 2.5%) had higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN) than the other groups (p < 0.05). The TVFA of goats fed E-UCOPF 2.5% was approximately 15.8% higher than that of goats provide EOPF (p < 0.05). The mean concentration of C3 increased by 7.90% and 11.61%, respectively, when E-CaOPF 5.0% and E-UCOPF 2.5% were provided instead of EOPF (p < 0.05). The total N intake and absorbed were highest (p < 0.05) when goats offered E-UOPF 5.0% (p < 0.05). The goats fed oil palm frond without additives had the lowest percentage of N-absorption/N intake (p < 0.05). This study clearly shows that the most suitable treatment is E-UCOPF 2.5%, which enhances DMD, nutrient digestibility, TVFAs, and nitrogen balance and has no negative effects on rumen microbes. This indicates that E-UCOPF 2.5% may be utilized as an alternate roughage source in TMR diets, accounting for at least 40% of the OPF. However, several factors still require consideration for urea-Ca(OH)2 treatments to be successful, including other concentrations of urea, moisture content, duration of pre-treatment, and the metabolizable protein system.

Digestibility, Blood Parameters, Rumen Fermentation, Hematology, and Nitrogen Balance of Goats after Receiving Supplemental Coffee Cherry Pulp as a Source of Phytochemical Nutrients

“…The increase in plasma glucose with increased CoCP intake revealed the glucogenic capacity of this additive in the current investigation [ 48 ], with a mean glucose amount of 65.79 mg/dL. These results agree with those of Chanjula et al [ 39 ], who observed a mean value of 62.90 mg/dL in goats fed fermented oil palm fronds supplemented with urea-calcium hydroxide. Because the optimal glucose range is 50 to 80 mg/dL [ 46 ], all groups in all samples were within this range.…”

“…The flavonoid component of the plant has been shown to influence rumen microbial metabolism by changing fermentation conditions such as pH and protein breakdown [ 37 ]. High tannin levels in forages were found to impair goat digestibility and feed intake in one study [ 38 ], but another study found that adding tannin in low concentrations to forages can improve goat weight by altering rumen fermentation and reducing internal parasite burdens as well as protecting dietary protein in the rumen [ 39 ]. Saponin and tannin can lower methane and ammonia production in the rumen, resulting in improved animal development and nutrition use [ 33 ].…”

Comparison of Cassava Chips and Winged Bean Tubers with Various Starch Modifications on Chemical Composition, the Kinetics of Gas, Ruminal Degradation, and Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics Using an In Situ Nylon Bag and an In Vitro Gas Production Technique

“…Srakaew et al [8] reported that slow-fermented starch with alkaline treatment produced fewer short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) and had a higher pH. Likewise, Chanjula et al [10] reported that the pH of the grain treated with CaOH 2 was higher than that of a control group. Deckardt et al [42] reported that the ruminal pH value of barley treated with LA was higher than that of the control group.…”

“…However, the rapid fermentation of high-carbohydrate feeds containing high starch causes a drop in ruminal pH and increases the risk of rumen acidosis [8]. Therefore, more research has been done to find a suitable way of modulating the degradability of starch sources in the rumen and boosting feed efficiency by partially moving starch digestion to the small intestine [9,10]. By increasing resistant starch in the rumen, feed processing techniques, including physical and chemical approaches, can alter starch, reduce rumen-degradable starch, and improve starch flow to the duodenum.…”

“…By increasing resistant starch in the rumen, feed processing techniques, including physical and chemical approaches, can alter starch, reduce rumen-degradable starch, and improve starch flow to the duodenum. It was observed that steaming treatment may effectively control ruminal degradability and improve by-pass starch [10,11].…”