Objective: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of lysophospholipids (LPL) supplementation on rumen fermentation, degradability, and microbial diversity in forage with high oil diet in an in vitro system.
Methods: Four experimental treatments were used: i) annual ryegrass (CON), ii) 93% annual ryegrass +7% corn oil on a dry matter (DM) basis (OiL), iii) OiL with a low level (0.08% of dietary DM) of LPL (LLPL), and iv) OiL with a high level (0.16% of dietary DM) of LPL (HLPL). An in vitro fermentation experiment was performed using strained rumen fluid for 48 h incubations. In vitro DM degradability (IVDMD), in vitro neutral detergent fiber degradability, pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and microbial diversity were estimated.
Results: There was no significant change in IVDMD, pH, NH3-N, and total VFA production among treatments. The LPL supplementation significantly increased the proportion of butyrate and valerate (Linear effect [Lin], p = 0.004 and <0.001, respectively). The LPL supplementation tended to increase the total bacteria in a linear manner (p = 0.089). There were significant decreases in the relative proportions of cellulolytic (Fibrobacter succinogenes and Ruminococcus albus) and lipolytic (Anaerovibrio lipolytica and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus) bacteria with increasing levels of LPL supplementation (Lin, p = 0.028, 0.006, 0.003, and 0.003, respectively).
Conclusion: The LPL supplementation had antimicrobial effects on several cellulolytic and lipolytic bacteria, with no significant difference in nutrient degradability (DM and neutral detergent fiber) and general bacterial counts, suggesting that LPL supplementation might increase the enzymatic activity of rumen bacteria. Therefore, LPL supplementation may be more effective as an antimicrobial agent rather than as an emulsifier in the rumen.
Keywords: Emulsifier; Feed Additive; Lysophospholipids; Microbial Diversity; Rumen Fermentation.