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Effect of Feeding Dried Apple Pomace on Ruminal Fermentation, Methane Emission, and Biohydrogenation of Unsaturated Fatty Acids in Dairy Cows
Industrial fruit by-products are now being utilized as animal feeds for several reasons. They may substitute the conventional cereal feeds, and also offer economic and environmental benefits. One of the most important industrial fruit by-products is apple pomace, which can be used as a source of energy in the ration of ruminant species, including dairy cattle. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of feeding dried apple pomace to dairy cattle on ruminal fermentation, fatty acid concentration, microbial populations, and methane production. The experiment lasted 64 days and was conducted with 4 cannulated commercial dairy cows. The control animals received a standard diet, while the experimental animals was fed a standard diet supplemented with 150 g/kg DM dried apple pomace. Ruminal fluid samples were collected at three different time intervals. The samples were obtained at 0-, 3-, and 6-h post-feeding. The ruminal fluid was used to assess the ammonia concentration, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFA), long-chain fatty acids (FA), microbial population. A number of ruminal fermentation variables changed as a result of the addition of dried apple pomace to the standard diet. Ruminal pH slightly increased (p < 0.01) while the ammonia concentration decreased (p < 0.01) by 46%. There was a significant decrease in total protozoa count (p < 0.01) and an increase (p < 0.01) in total volatile fatty acids. In addition, there was a decline in methane emission (p = 0.05) by 8% due to dried apple pomace feeding. To sum up, this study demonstrated a positive effect of 150 g/kg DM dietary dried apple pomace on ruminal metabolism including a decrease in ammonia concentration and methane emissions, alongside with an increase in total ruminal VFAs, higher nutrient digestibility, and milk production. Also, beneficial changes to the ruminal fatty acid profile resulting from reduced biohydrogenation were observed although a decreased content of the C18:2 cis 9 trans 11 isomer was also noticed. The dietary inclusion of DAP can serve as a valuable, sustainable, and environmentally friendly dietary component for dairy cows.
Bioactive Compounds, Ruminal Fermentation, and Anthelmintic Activity of Specialty Coffee and Spent Coffee Grounds In Vitro
We quantified the bioactive compounds of Ethiopian coffee (ETH), spent coffee grounds SCGs from ETH (SCG-ETH), and mixed SCGs (SCG-MIX) prepared by filtration methods and investigated the effect of SCG-ETH on ruminal fermentation as well as the anthelmintic activity of ETH. Three substrates, meadow hay (MH)-barley grain (MH-BG), MH-SCG-ETH, and BG-SCG-ETH (1:1 w/w), were fermented using an in vitro gas production technique. The bioactive compounds were quantitatively analyzed using ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry. We performed an in vitro larval development test to determine the anthelmintic effect of an aqueous extract of ETH against the gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) Haemonchus contortus. The total content of bioactive compounds was highest in SCG-ETH, followed by SCG-MIX and ETH (35.2, 31.2, and 20.9 mg/g dry matter, respectively). Total gas and methane production (p < 0.001) were decreased by both MH-SCG-ETH and BG-SCG-ETH. The in vitro digestibility of dry matter was higher for MH-SCG-ETH and BG-SCG-ETH than for MH-BG. The aqueous ETH extract exhibited a strong larvicidal effect, with a mean lethal dose of 13.2 mg/mL for 50% mortality and 31.9 mg/L for 99% mortality. SCG substrates have the potential to modulate ruminal fermentation and serve as a source of anthelmintic bioactive compounds against GINs in ruminants.
Effects of raw and fermented rapeseed cake on ruminal fermentation, methane emission, and milk production in lactating dairy cows
Effect of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) Pellets on Rumen Microbiome and Histopathology in Lambs Exposed to Gastrointestinal Nematodes
Our study analyzed the ruminal fermentation and microbiome, hematological profile, and abomasal histopathology of lambs experimentally infected with a gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) and fed sainfoin pellets (SFPs; 600 g DM/d/animal) for 14 d. Twenty-four lambs infected with Haemonchus contortus were divided into two separated groups: animals fed meadow hay (control) and animals fed SFPs. The ruminal contents, fermentation parameters, and microbiome in vitro and in vivo were determined using molecular and microscopic techniques. Ruminal contents in the SFP group indicated smaller populations of Archaea (p < 0.001), Methanomicrobiales (p = 0.009), and lower methane concentrations in vitro (p = 0.046) and in vivo (p = 0.030) than the control group. The relative abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens quantified by real-time PCR was higher in the lambs with the SFP diet (p = 0.05). Haemonchosis affected the number of red blood cells of the lambs (p < 0.001). The lambs in the SFP group had a higher percentage of damaged abomasa glands than did the control group (p = 0.004). The consumption of SFPs by GIN-infected lambs may affect ruminal methanogens and subsequently decrease methane emission without undesirable changes in the ruminal microbiome or the health of the animals.
Effect of Paulownia Leaves Extract Levels on In Vitro Ruminal Fermentation, Microbial Population, Methane Production, and Fatty Acid Biohydrogenation
Paulownia is a fast-growing tree that produces a huge mass of leaves as waste that can be used as a feed source for ruminants. The previous study showed that phenolic compounds were the most active biological substances in Paulownia leaves, which affected the ruminal parameters and methane concentration. However, there are no scientific reports on the Paulownia leaves extract (PLE) containing phenolic compounds for their mode of action in the rumen. Phenolics constituted the main group of bioactive compounds in PLE (84.4 mg/g dry matter). PLE lowered the concentration of ammonia, modulated the VFA profile in the ruminal fluid, and decreased methane production. The PLE caused a significant reduction of in vitro dry matter degradability, reduced the number of methanogens and protozoa, and affected selected bacteria populations. PLE had a promising effect on the fatty acid profile in the ruminal fluid. Paulownia as a new dietary component or its extract as a feed additive may be used to mitigate ruminal methanogenesis, resulting in environmental protection and reducing ruminal biohydrogenation, improving milk and meat quality.
Meta-Analysis of Incorporating Glucosinolates into Diets and Their Effects on Ruminant Performance, Ruminal Fermentation, Methane Emissions, Milk Composition, and Metabolic Biochemical Attributes
Brassica-derived feeds have been recognized for their economic and environmental benefits in ruminant nutrition. However, their utilization is constrained by the presence of glucosinolates and sulfur-containing compounds that exhibit both beneficial and adverse effects. This meta-analysis included 36 studies that evaluated the impact of glucosinolate intake on ruminant performance, nutrient digestibility, milk composition, and methane emissions. This analysis, conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, revealed that glucosinolate supplementation resulted in a quadratic increase in milk urea nitrogen concentration (p = 0.017). Additionally, significant interactions between glucosinolate level and source influenced crude protein digestibility (p = 0.026). Milk composition parameters, including 4% fat-corrected milk, energy-corrected milk, milk protein, and lactose proportions, were significantly affected (p < 0.05). Furthermore, methane emissions (g/kg DMI) decreased quadratically with increasing glucosinolate intake (p = 0.003), with additional interactions observed between dietary treatments and animal species (p = 0.029). Propionate and isobutyrate concentrations increased in a quadratic and linear manner, respectively (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that glucosinolate-containing feed can enhance nutrient utilization and mitigate methane emissions in ruminants. However, the magnitude of these effects is dependent on the glucosinolate dosage, source, animal species, and dietary composition, necessitating further research to optimize their use in ruminant nutrition.