Effects of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation profiles and protozoan population in vitro

Abstract

Background and Aim: In the livestock sector, particularly ruminants, an approach to minimize methane emissions can be carried out through a feeding strategy involving herbal plants containing bioactive compounds that can reduce protozoa and decrease methane gas emissions. The aim of this in vitro study was to analyze the effects of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation, total gas, and methane production, in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD), and protozoa populations within the rumen. Materials and Methods: Two experiments were conducted in this study. Experiment 1 was conducted to determine the most promising herbal plants capable of increasing total gas production and reducing protozoan populations. Three potential herbals selected in Experiment 1 were continued in Experiment 2 as supplements in the palm kernel meal (PKM)-based ration (70% PKM + 30% herbal plants). Results: Experiment 1 revealed that Eurycoma longifolia (EL), Cola acuminata (CLA), and Cassia alata (CSA) were potential herbal candidates for enhancing total gas production and the percentages of IVDMD and IVOMD. In Experiment 2, supplementation with EL, CLA, and CSA significantly increased IVDMD from 62.84% to 70.15%, IVOMD from 61.61% to 53.18%, and NH3 from 13 mM to 17 mM, as well as reduced partial volatile fatty acids and total gas production. In addition, the methane gas and protozoan populations were reduced. Conclusion: The utilization of EL, CLA, and CSA effectively increased the production of total gas, IVDMD, and IVOMD while reducing methane gas protozoa populations in rumen fermentation compared with the control. Keywords: feed digestibility, methane emissions, plant herbs, protozoa.