Effects of Fibrolytic Enzymes on \u3cem\u3ein Vitro\u3c/em\u3e Ruminal Fermentation and Methane Production from \u3cem\u3ePanicum maximum\u3c/em\u3e (Wild Guinea Grass--Ecotype A) and Rice Straw (\u3cem\u3eOryza sativa\u3c/em\u3e)

Abstract

The wide gap between an animal’s energy requirement and the nutrients available from feeds is a major constraint in animal productivity and should urgently be addressed with novel methods to improve feed utilization and efficiency (Murad and Azzaz 2010). Forages such as Guinea grass (Panicum maximum) and agricultural by products such as rice (Oryza sativa) straw play a vital role as animal feeds in the tropics. However, the total energy requirement of animal cannot be met due to the high fiber content and low digestibility of these feeds. The low digestibility of these feeds not only limits the available energy to the animal, it also accelerates enteric methane (CH4) production a potent greenhouse gas. Supplementation of ruminant diets with exogenous enzymes has recently gained considerable attention as a promising area with potential to improve animal productivity through enhanced digestibility and environment impact. As a starting point in the screening and selection of suitable enzymes and/or enzyme additives to use as feed additives, this study aimed to determine the effects of fibrolytic enzymes on in vitro ruminal fermentation and methane production of two fibrous feeds in artificial ruminal conditions