Effectiveness of herbal plants on rumen fermentation, methane gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and population of protozoa

Antonius Antonius; Roni Pazla; Ezi Masdia Putri; Windu Negara; Nursanti Laia; Muhammad Ridla; Sri Suharti; Anuraga Jayanegara; Sharli Asmairicen; Leni Marlina; Yoselanda Marta

doi:10.14202/vetworld.2023.1477-1488

Effectiveness of herbal plants on rumen fermentation, methane gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and population of protozoa

Vet World. 2023;16(7):1477-1488. doi: 10.14202/vetworld.2023.1477-1488. Epub 2023 Jul 19.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Research Center for Animal Husbandry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jl. Raya Jakarta Bogor Cibinong, 16915, Indonesia.
² Department of Animal Nutrition, Faculty of Animal Science, Andalas University, Jl. Limau Manis, Padang, 25163, Indonesia.
³ State community Academy Nias Utara, Jl Lolofoso Lotu Kab. Nias Utara, 22853, Indonesia.
⁴ Department of Nutrition and Feed Technology, Faculty of Animal Science, IPB University, Jl. Agatis Kampus IPB Dramaga Bogor, 16680, Indonesia.
⁵ Research Center for Agroindustry, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN). Jl. Puspitek Tangerang Selatan, 15314, Indonesia.
⁶ Center for Breeding Superior Livestock and Forage for Animal Feed Padang Mengatas, Jl. Raya Payakumbuh-Lintau, KM.9 Pekan Sabtu, Payakumbuh, 26201, Indonesia.

Abstract

Background and aim: Herbal plants have the potential to reduce the population of metagonic bacteria and protozoa due to the bioactive compound contained in herbal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane (CH₄) gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and protozoan populations.

Materials and methods: This study consisted of two stages. Stage I involved determining the potential of herbal plants to increase total gas production (Orskov and McDonald methods) and reduce the protozoan population (Hristov method). Three potential herbs were selected at this stage and used in Stage II as supplements in the palm kernel cake (PKC)-based diet (30% herbal plants + 70% PKC). Proximate and Van Soest analyses were used to determine the chemical composition. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), and rumen fermentation characteristics were determined using Theodorous method. Conway microdiffusion was used to determine ammonia concentration (NH₃). Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and partial volatile fatty acid production.

Results: The results of the first stage showed that seven herbal plants (Moringa oleifera, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Clerodendron serratum, Curcuma longa Linn., Urena lobata, Uncaria, and Parkia timoriana) significantly differed in terms of total gas production (p < 0.05). Herbal plants can increase gas production and reduce protozoan populations. The highest total gas production was observed using P. timoriana, M. oleifera, and C. longa Linn. Moringa oleifera plants were the most effective in lowering protozoa population. In Stage 2, the supplementation of herbal plants in PKC-based-diet significantly increased IVDMD, that was ranged from 56.72% to 65.77%, IVOMD that was ranged from 52.10% to 59.54%, and NH_3, that was ranged from 13.20 mM to 17.91 mM. Volatile fatty acid partial and total gas production potential and CH₄ gas emissions were also significantly different from those of the control (p < 0.05).

Conclusion: Supplementation of M. oleifera, C. longa Linn., and P. timoriana in ruminant diet effectively increased total gas production, IVDMD percentage, and IVOMD, and reduced CH₄ gas emissions and protozoa populations during rumen fermentation.

Keywords: herbal plants; in vitro; methane; protozoa.