Roughage to Concentrate Ratio and Saccharomyces cerevisiae Inclusion Could Modulate Feed Digestion and In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation

The objective of this research was to investigate the effect of the roughage-to-concentrate (R:C) ratio and the addition of live yeast (LY) on ruminal fermentation characteristics and methane (CH4) production. The experimental design was randomly allocated according to a completely randomized design in a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement. The first factor was four rations of R:C at 80:20, 60:40, 40:60, and 20:80, and the second factor was an additional four doses of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (live yeast; LY) at 0, 2.0 × 106, 4.0 × 106, and 6.0 × 106 colony-forming unit (cfu), respectively. For the in vitro method, during the incubation, the gas production was noted at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 48, 72, and 96 h. The rumen solution mixture was collected at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of incubating after inoculation. Cumulative gas production at 96 h was highest in the R:C ratio, at 20:80, while the addition of LY improves the kinetics and accumulation of gas (p > 0.05). Maximum in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) at 24 h after incubation were achieved at the R:C ratio 20:80 and the addition of LY at 6 × 106 cfu, which were greater than the control by 13.7% and 12.4%, respectively. Ruminal pH at 8 h after incubation decreased with an increased proportion of concentrates in the diet, whereas it was lowest when the R:C ratio was at 20:80. Increasing the proportion of a concentrate diet increased total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) and propionic acid (C3), whereas the acetic acid (C2) and C2-to-C3 ratios decreased (p < 0.05). TVFA and C3 increased with the addition of LY at 6 × 106 cfu, which was greater than the control by 11.5% and 17.2%, respectively. No interaction effect was observed between the R:C ratio and LY on the CH4 concentration. The calculated ruminal CH4 production decreased with the increasing proportion of concentrates in the diet, particularly the R:C ratio at 20:80. The CH4 production for LY addition at 6 × 106 cfu was lower than the control treatment by 17.2%. Moreover, the greatest populations of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi at 8 h after incubation were found with the addition of LY at 6 × 106 cfu, which were higher than the control by 19.0%, 20.7%, and 40.4%, respectively. In conclusion, a high ratio of roughage and the concentrate and addition of LY at 6.0 × 106 cfu of the total dietary substrate could improve rumen fermentation, improve feed digestibility, and reduce the CH4 production

<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Korth Leaf Pellet Supplementation on Feed Intake, Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Microbial Protein Synthesis and Protozoal Population in Thai Native Beef Cattle

This experiment evaluated the use of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaf pellets (MSLP) on feed intake and nutrient digestibility in Thai native beef cattle. Four Thai native beef cattle steers were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The treatments were as follows: control (no supplementation), MSLP supplement at 10 g/hd/d, MSLP supplement at 20 g/hd/d and MSLP supplement at 30 g/hd/d, respectively. All animals were fed a concentrate mixture at 0.5% body weight, while urea lime-treated rice straws were fed ad libitum. Findings revealed that feed intakes were increased by MSLP, which also significantly increased the digestibility of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF). Ruminal total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) concentration and propionate (C3) proportion were increased (p 3-N), plasma urea nitrogen (PUN), acetate (C2), C2:C3 ratio and estimated methane (CH4) production decreased (p Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococus flavefaciens populations increased (p p 4 production

<i>Mitragyna speciosa</i> Korth Leaves Supplementation on Feed Utilization, Rumen Fermentation Efficiency, Microbial Population, and Methane Production In Vitro

The objective of the research was to evaluate the different levels of Mitragyna speciosa Korth leaves powder (MSLP) added to rations with 60:40 or 40:60 roughage to a concentrate (R:C ratio) on in vitro nutrient digestibility, rumen fermentation characteristics, microbial population, and methane (CH4) production. The treatments were arranged according to a 2 × 8 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The two factors contain the R:C ratio (60:40 and 40:60) and the levels of MSLP addition (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7% of the total substrate). There was no interaction between the R:C ratio and MSLP supplementation on gas production kinetics, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), and microbial populations. The gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (c) was increased by the R:C ratio at (40:60), whilst there was no difference obtained among treatments for cumulative gas production, whilst the gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction (c) was increased by the R:C ratio at 40:60. The concentration of NH3-N was influenced by the R:C ratio and MSLP addition both at 4 and 8 h after incubation. In vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and organic matter degradability (IVOMD) were significantly improved by the R:C ratio and supplementation of MSLP at 12 h. Increasing the R:C ratio and MSLP concentrations increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and propionic acid (C3) concentrations while decreasing acetic acid (C2) and butyric acid (C4) concentrations; thus, the C2:C3 ratio was reduced. MSLP addition reduced protozoa and methanogen populations (p 4 production was decreased (p 4 production

Changed Rumen Fermentation, Blood Parameters, and Microbial Population in Fattening Steers Receiving a High Concentrate Diet with Saccharomyces cerevisiae Improve Growth Performance

The effect of dry yeast (DY) (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) supplementation in a high-concentrate diet was evaluated for rumen fermentation, blood parameters, microbial populations, and growth performance in fattening steers. Sixteen crossbred steers (Charolais x American Brahman) at 375 ± 25 kg live weight were divided into four groups that received DY supplementation at 0, 5, 10, and 15 g/hd/d using a completely randomized block design. Basal diets were fed as a total mixed ration (roughage to concentrate ratio of 30:70). Results showed that supplementation with DY improved dry matter (DM) intake and digestibility of organic matter (OM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (p &lt; 0.05), but DM and crude protein (CP) were similar among treatments (p &gt; 0.05). Ruminal pH (&gt;6.0) of fattening steer remained stable (p &gt; 0.05), and pH was maintained at or above 6.0 with DY. The concentration of propionic acid (C3) increased (p &lt; 0.05) with 10 and 15 g/hd/d DY supplementation, while acetic acid (C2) and butyric acid (C4) decreased. Methane (CH4) production in the rumen decreased as DY increased (p &lt; 0.05). Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens populations increased (p &lt; 0.05), whereas protozoal and methanogen populations decreased with DY addition at 10 and 15 g/hd/d, while Ruminococcus albus did not change (p &gt; 0.05) among the treatments. Adding DY at 10 and 15 g/hd/d improved growth performance. Thus, the addition of DY to fattening steers with a high concentrate diet improved feed intake, nutrient digestibility, rumen ecology, and growth performance, while mitigating ruminal methane production

Effect of dried Leucaena leaf supplementation on rumen ecology, nutrient digestibility and urinary excretion of 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) and 3,4-dihydroxy pyridone (3,4-DHP) in swamp buffaloes

The experiment was conducted to determine the effect of dried Leucaena leaf supplementation on rumen ecology, nutrient digestibility and urinary excretion of 2,3-dihydroxy pyridone (2,3-DHP) and 3,4-dihydroxy pyridone (3,4-DHP) in swamp buffaloes. Four rumen fistulated swamp buffaloes were assigned according to a cross-over design to receive 3.0 kg/hd/d dried Leucaena leaf supplementation. Swamp buffaloes were fed with rice straw ad libitum and dried Leucaena leaf was supplemented at 3.0 kg/hd/d. Apparent digestibility of CP were increased (P< 0.05) in buffaloes supplemented with Leucaena leaf. The average values of BUN were 1.26, 13.08 mg/dl and NH3 were 8.9, 16.1 mg/dl in control and in the supplemented group, respectively. Moreover, there were differences in total volatile fatty acid (TVFA) in Leucaena leaf supplemented than in the control group. The efficiency of microbial protein synthesis (EMPS) were increased by Leucaena leaf supplemented group. Population sizes of the target total bacteria, predominant cellulolytic bacteria in the rumen were influenced by dietary treatments (

Effect of manila palm (Veitchia merrillii Becc.) on rumen fermentation and microbial population in beef heifers

Abstract The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of manila palm (MP) on rumen fermentation and rumen microbial ecology in beef cattle. Four Brahman crossbred heifers with an initial body weight (BW) of 250 ± 40 kg (1–1.5 years old) were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to the following treatments: (1) Control (0% concentrate powder MP), (2) 1% concentrate powder MP, (3) 3% concentrate powder MP, and (4) 5% concentrate powder MP. The manila palm contained 12.54% of condense tannin. Cow were fed with a rice straw ad libitum and concentrate at 1%BW. There were no treatments effect on ruminal pH, NH3-N, microbial protein synthesis, nor ruminal temperature. Inclusion of MP did not affect (P > 0.12) blood urea N and hematocrit. However, ruminal concentration of acetic acid was linearly decreased (P < 0.01), while propionic acid was linearly increased (P < 0.01) as MP was increased in diet. In a such a manner that predicted ruminal CH4 production was decreased (P < 0.01) as MP was increased in diet. Inclusion of MP in diet decreased linearly (P = 0.02) protozoal population as MP level increased. The present study suggests that manila powder has modulatory effects on ruminal fermentation, decreasing acetate to propionate ratio, reducing estimated CH4 production without effects on ruminal pH, microbial synthesis nor blood parameters. Changes on ruminal fermentation parameters could be partially explained by decreases in the ruminal protozoa. Supplementation beyond 3% of concentrate portion (approximately 1.2% of total ration DM intake) did not increase significantly this positive effects, thus is recommended 1.2% of total ration as optimal use as an animal feed supplement

Cricket Meal (<i>Gryllus bimaculatus</i>) as a Protein Supplement on In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Mitigation

The aim of this work was to conduct the effects of cricket (Gryllus bimaculatus) meal (CM) as a protein supplement on in vitro gas production, rumen fermentation, and methane (CH4) mitigation. Dietary treatments were randomly assigned using a completely randomized design (CRD) with a 2 × 5 factorial arrangement. The first factor was two ratios of roughage to concentrate (R:C at 60:40 and 40:60), and the second factor was the level of CM to replace soybean meal (SBM) in a concentrate ratio at 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, 25:75, and 0:100, respectively. It was found that in vitro DM degradability and the concentration of propionic (C3) were significantly increased (p 2), acetate and propionate (C2:C3) ratio, and protozoal population were reduced (p 4 production was mitigated (p 3 concentration and DM degradability, reduced methane production, and C2:C3 ratio. The effects were more pronounced (p < 0.05) at low levels of roughage

Dietary sources and their effects on animal production and environmental sustainability

Animal agriculture has been an important component in the integrated farming systems in developing countries. It serves in a paramount diversified role in producing animal protein food, draft power, farm manure as well as ensuring social status-quo and enriching livelihood. Ruminants are importantly contributable to the well-being and the livelihood of the global population. Ruminant production systems can vary from subsistence to intensive type of farming depending on locality, resource availability, infrastructure accessibility, food demand and market potentials. The growing demand for sustainable animal production is compelling to researchers exploring the potential approaches to reduce greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions from livestock. Global warming has been an issue of concern and importance for all especially those engaged in animal agriculture. Methane (CH4) is one of the major GHG accounted for at least 14% of the total GHG with a global warming potential 25-fold of carbon dioxide and a 12-year atmospheric lifetime. Agricultural sector has a contribution of 50 to 60% methane emission and ruminants are the major source of methane contribution (15 to 33%). Methane emission by enteric fermentation of ruminants represents a loss of energy intake (5 to 15% of total) and is produced by methanogens (archae) as a result of fermentation end-products. Ruminants׳ digestive fermentation results in fermentation end-products of volatile fatty acids (VFA), microbial protein and methane production in the rumen. Rumen microorganisms including bacteria, protozoa and fungal zoospores are closely associated with the rumen fermentation efficiency. Besides using feed formulation and feeding management, local feed resources have been used as alternative feed additives for manipulation of rumen ecology with promising results for replacement in ruminant feeding. Those potential feed additive practices are as follows: 1) the use of plant extracts or plants containing secondary compounds (e.g., condensed tannins and saponins) such as mangosteen peel powder, rain tree pod; 2) plants rich in minerals, e.g., banana flower powder; and 3) plant essential oils, e.g., garlic, eucalyptus leaf powder, etc. Implementation of the -feed-system using cash crop and leguminous shrubs or fodder trees are of promising results. Keywords: Animal production system, Feeding, Feed resources, Environment, Nutritio

Effect of inclusion of different levels of silage on rumen microbial population and microbial protein synthesis in dairy steers fed on rice straw

Objective Leucaena leucocephala (Leucaena) is a perennial tropical legume that can be directly grazed or harvested and offered to ruminants as hay, silage, or fresh. However, Leucaena contain phenolic compounds, which are considered anti-nutritional factors as these may reduce intake, digestibility and thus animal performance. Therefore, the objective of this experiment was to determine effects of Leucaena silage (LS) feeding levels on rumen microbial populations, N-balance and microbial protein synthesis in dairy steers. Methods Four, rumen fistulated dairy steers with initial weight of 167±12 kg were randomly assigned to receive dietary treatments according to a 4×4 Latin square design. Treatments were as followings: T1 = untreated rice straw (RS; Control), T2 = 70% RS+30% LS, T3 = 40% RS+60% LS, and T4 = 100% LS. Dairy steers were fed rice straw and LS ad libitum and supplemented with concentrate at 0.2% of body weight/d. Results Results revealed that the rumen microbial population, especially cellulolytic, proteolytic bacteria and fungal zoospores were enhanced in steers that received 60% of LS (p0.05). Protozoal population was linearly decreased with increasing level of LS (p<0.05). Moreover, N-balance and microbial protein synthesis were enhanced by LS feeding (p<0.05) and were the highest in 60% LS group. Conclusion Based on this study, it could be concluded that replacement of RS with 60% LS significantly improved microbial population and microbial protein synthesis in diary steers

Improvement of nutritive value of cassava pulp and in vitro fermentation and microbial population by urea and molasses supplementation

This study aimed to investigate the effect of urea (U) and molasses (M) supplement on the nutritive value of cassava pulp and in vitro gas fermentation. The ensiling study was randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The first factor was U supplementation at U0, U2, U4, and U6% and the second was M supplementation at M0, M2, M4, and M6% of dry matter, respectively. After 14 days of ensiling, treated cassava pulp was sampled for chemical composition analysis and subsequently used to study in vitro fermentation. The results revealed that increasing U supplement levels could increase crude protein and decrease fibre contents of treated cassava pulp (P < .05). Increasing U and M supplement levels increased gas production and in vitro true digestibility (P < .05). Total bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus flavefaciens were increased in cassava pulp treated with U and M supplemented groups (P < .05). Based on this experiment, it could be concluded that U4 and M4% supplement could improve the nutritive value of treated cassava pulp and increase gas production, in vitro digestibility, and the growth of dominant cellulolytic bacterial population. However, further research should be conducted on the use of treated cassava pulp in ruminant feeding