Effects of yeast and dried kratom leaves (Mitragyna speciosa [Korth] Havil.) supplementation on digestibility, rumen fermentation, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in goats.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of the experiment was to study yeast supplementation (yeast, Y) and dried kratom leaves (DKTL) on the digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites and nitrogen balance in goats. METHODS: Four of 7 to 8 months old male crossbred (50% Thai Native-Anglo Nubian) goats with average liveweight 20±0.13 kg were randomly assigned according to a 2×2 factorial arrangement in a 4×4 Latin square design to receive four diets ad libitum basis. The study investigated the effects of two levels of yeast (Y) supplementation (Y, 0 and 0.5g/kg dry matter [DM]) along with two levels of DKTL supplementation (DKTL, 0 and 4.44g/kg DM). The experimental groups were as follows: T1 = control group with 0Y+0DKTL, T2 = 0Y+4.44 DKTL, T3 = 0.5Y+0DKTL, and T4 = 0.5Y+4.44 DKTL. RESULTS: The results showed that there were no interactions between Y levels and DKTL levels with respect to total DM intake, but there were significant effects (p<0.05) by levels of Y; goats receiving 0.05 g/kg DM Y had higher than goats fed 0.0 g/kg DM on average (kg/d). A percentage of body weight (% BW) and grams per kilogram of metallic weight (g/kg w0.75) had no influence on yeast levels and DKTL, but there was a difference (p<0.05) by yeast level Y at 0.5 g/kg DM, being higher compared to the non-supplemented group. Apparent digestibility coefficient of nutrition in the form of (DM, organic matter, crude protein, neutral detergent fiber, and acid detergent fiber) was an increased trend in the Y-level complementary group at 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL at 4.44 g/kg DM, respectively. Protozoa populations decreased in the group receiving Y levels at 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL levels at 4.44 g/kg DM when compared to group T1. The acetic acid concentration and methane gas generation decreased (p<0.05) in the group receiving Y levels of 0.5 g/kg DM and DKTL levels of 4.44 g/kg DM, while the amount of propionic acid increased (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Effects of feeding combinations of Y and DKTL supplementation on feed showed no interaction effect (Y×DKTL) on feed intake, rumen fermentation, bacterial and fungi population. The effect on protozoal populations was lower in the group that was supplemented with DKTL at 4.44 g/kg DM related to synthetic CH4 was reduced.

Can dietary fermented total mixed ration additives biological and chemical improve digestibility, performance, and rumen fermentation in ruminants?

The quantity and quality of animal feed are important factors for efficient and profitable animal farming. Feed ingredients and supplementation with high-density energy and nitrogen would be potentially useful on the farm. The new approach to feeding has shifted from animal-based diets to more readily fermentable feedstuffs in ruminants to meet the increased production of high-yielding animals. These methods encourage the use of fermented total mixed ration (FTMR). An advantage of feeding FTMR as opposed to total mixed ration (TMR) is the opportunity for a development alternative to efficiently handle ruminant diets. FTMR is a method to promote progressive nutrient utilization, extend the preservation of feed by preventing spoilage, and reduce anti-nutritive substances in feeds. Ruminal protein and starch degradability were increased due to proteolysis during storage by ruminants fed ensiled rations. The results found that FTMR can reduce the pH level and increase the lactic acid content of ensiled materials, which results in better quality feed and longer storage times. In addition, it can increase dry matter intake, growth rate, and milk production when compared with TMR. It was shown that the use of FTMR diet was effective for animal production. However, FTMR was rapidly spoiled when exposed to air or feed-out, particularly in hot and humid climates, resulting in a decrease in lactic acid concentration, an increase in pH, and the loss of nutrients. Thus, the appropriate method for enhancing the quality of FTMR should be considered.

Effect of a molasses-based liquid supplement on gastrointestinal tract barrier function, inflammation, and performance of newly received feedlot cattle before and after a transport stress.

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of a dry versus a molasses-based liquid supplement on ruminal butyrate concentration, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) barrier function, inflammatory status, and performance of newly received feedlot cattle. In experiment 1, 60 mixed breed steers (234 ±â€…2.1 kg) were weaned, held overnight at a sale barn, then transported 14 h to Purdue University. After arrival, steers were weighed, blocked by body weight, and allotted within block to treatments (six pens per treatment and five steers per pen). Diets consisted of 45% roughage and 55% concentrate (dry matter basis). Treatments differed in the supplement source as follows: DRY: 10% dry supplement or LIQUID: 10% liquid molasses-based supplement. Feed intake, average daily gain (ADG), and gain:feed were determined for the three 21-d periods and overall. In experiment 2, 16 crossbred heifers (246 ±â€…7.5 kg) were used (8 heifers per treatment). Diets were the same as in experiment 1 and were fed for 60 d. On d 56 ruminal fluid samples were collected at 0, 3, 6, and 9 h after feeding. To mimic a stress event, heifers were transported for 4 h on d 61, rested overnight, and transported 12 h on d 62. Blood was collected from heifers immediately prior to transport and immediately upon their return. Gut barrier function using a Cr-EDTA marker was determined after transportation. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Steers fed the liquid supplement had greater (P ≤ 0.03) ADG through d 42 and overall compared to steers fed the dry supplement. Feed intake did not differ (P = 0.25) between treatments from d 0 to d 21. However, steers fed the liquid supplement showed greater (P < 0.001) dry matter intake after d 21 and overall compared to those fed the dry supplement. Steers fed the liquid supplement tended (P < 0.09) to have reduced serum haptoglobin and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein (LBP) compared to those fed the dry supplement. Heifers fed the liquid supplement had greater (P = 0.02) Cr in urine and tended (P = 0.07) to have lower serum LBP after transport compared to those fed the dry supplement. Heifers fed the liquid supplement had 72% lower serum haptoglobin before, but only a 19% lower serum haptoglobin after transport compared to animals fed the dry supplement (treatment × time; P = 0.07). Therefore, the liquid supplement altered GIT barrier function, and improved inflammatory status, resulting in increased growth of receiving cattle.

Stress from weaning, feed restriction, transportation, and gastrointestinal acidosis can cause inflammation and intestinal damage, resulting in decreased absorptive capacity and immune defense capability. Gastrointestinal inflammation has a significant catabolic cost and causes nutritional resources to be directed away from anabolic processes. Molasses-based liquid supplements have the potential to improve gastrointestinal tract (GIT) barrier function in stressed, newly received feedlot cattle through increased ruminal production of butyrate from sugar. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the effect of a dry versus a molasses-based liquid supplement on ruminal butyrate production, GIT barrier function, inflammatory status, and performance of newly received feedlot cattle. We demonstrate that a molasses-based liquid supplement increased ruminal butyrate concentrations, altered GIT barrier function, decreased serum haptoglobin and lipopolysaccharide-binding protein, and improved the growth of stressed receiving cattle compared to a dry supplement.

Extraction, Characterization, and Chitosan Microencapsulation of Bioactive Compounds from Cannabis sativa L., Cannabis indica L., and Mitragyna speiosa K.

The objective of the research was to investigate the bioactive compounds of herbal plant leaves by microencapsulation technique for future application as a feed additive. In this experiment, three herbal plant leaves, namely Cannabis sativa L., Cannabis indica L., and Mitragyna speiosa K., were comparatively investigated using different methods to extract their bioactive compounds. Two methods were used to extract the bioactive compounds: microwave extraction (water-heating transferred) and maceration extraction (methanol extracted). The results obtained using microwave extraction revealed that the total polyphenolic and flavonoid contents and antioxidant capacity were significantly higher and stronger, respectively, than those produced by the maceration extraction method (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the spray-drying technique was employed to enhance the extracted compounds by encapsulation with chitosan through ionic gelation properties. The physical characteristics of chitosan-encapsulated substrates were examined under a scanning electron microscope (SEM) and were as microparticle size (1.45 to 11.0 µm). The encapsulation efficiency of the bioactive compounds was found to be 99.7, 82.3, and 54.6% for microencapsulated M. speiosa, C. indica, and C. sativa, respectively. Therefore, microwave treatment prior to chitosan encapsulation of leaf extracts resulted in increased recovery of bioactive compound encroachment.

Bioconversion of agro-industrial residues as a protein source supplementation for multiparous Holstein Thai crossbreed cows.

The purpose of this field study was to compare the effects of top-dressing tropical lactating cows with soybean meal (SBM) or citric waste fermented yeast waste (CWYW) on intake, digestibility, ruminal fermentation, blood metabolites, purine derivatives, milk production, and economic return. Sixteen mid-lactation Thai crossbreeds, Holstein Friesian (16.7 ± 0.30 kg/day milk yield and 490 ± 40.0 kg of initial body weight) were randomly allocated to two treatments in a completed randomized design: SBM as control (n = 8) or CWYW (n = 8). The feeding trial lasted for 60 days plus 21 days for treatment adaptation. The results showed that total dry matter intake, nutrient intake, and digestibility did not (p>0.05) differ between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. Ruminal pH and the protozoal population did not (p>0.05) differ between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. After 4 hours of feeding, CWYW top-dressing showed greater ammonia nitrogen, plasma urea nitrogen, and bacterial population compared with the top-dressing of SBM. Volatile fatty acids and purine derivatives were not different (p>0.05) between SBM and CWYW top-dressing. For milk urea nitrogen, there was a greater (p<0.05) and somatic cell count was lower (p<0.05) for cows fed the CWYW top-dress compared to cows fed the SBM top-dress. The cost of the top-dress and total feed cost were less (p<0.05) for CWYW compared to SBM top-dressing, at 0.59 vs 1.16 US dollars/cow/day and 4.14 vs 4.75 US dollars/cow/day, respectively. In conclusion, CWYW could be used as an alternative protein source to SBM without having a negative impact on tropical lactating cows.

Blood Metabolites and Feed Utilization Efficiency in Thai-Native-Anglo-Nubian Goats Fed a Concentrate Diet Including Yeast Fermented Palm Kernel Cake Instead of Soybean Meal.

Feed is the most expensive component in goat production. Hence, lowering it is crucial to increasing producer profitability. The microbial community in rumen is vital for nutritional digestion and absorption in ruminants. Live yeast and yeast-based products generated from the strain Saccharomyces cerevisiae (commercial strain) are actively being used and investigated. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of substituting soybean meal (SBM) in concentrate diets with yeast-fermented palm kernel cake protein (YFPKCP) on dry matter intake, digestibility, blood markers, and nitrogen balance. Five crossbred Thai Native-Anglo-Nubian goats (50% Thai Native goats with 50% Anglo-Nubian goats) weighing an average of 27 ± 2 kg were randomly allocated to one of five diets using a 5 × 5 Latin square design: 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100% YFPKCP replacement for SBM. Plicatulum hay (Paspalum plicatulum Michx.) was provided ad libitum. There were no significant differences in dry matter (DM) intake among treatments, but the apparent digestibility of DM, crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) were affected (p < 0.05) by including YFPKCP in diets. They also tended to be slightly lower for goats fed the diet containing 100% YFPKCP replacement for SBM compared to other treatments. Ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N), blood glucose, and packed cell volume were equivalent among treatments. On the other hand, replacement YFPKCP reduced digestibility and N absorption by up to 75% (p < 0.05). Furthermore, there was no difference in total volatile fatty-acid concentration among goats fed YFPKCP as a substitute for SBM. According to the results of this study, the level of YFPKCP in the concentrate replacement of SBM for goats fed plicatulum hay should be 75%.

Enteric methane emissions, growth, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed a garlic- and citrus-based feed additive in diets with three different forage concentrations.

One hundred and forty-four Angus × Simmental steers were allotted by body weight (BW; 363 kg), breed composition, and farm origin to a 3 × 2 factorial arrangement of six treatments (4 pens per treatment) to determine the effect of Mootral (garlic + citrus extract; 0.25% of the diet dry matter [DM] vs. 0.0%) on methane (CH4) emissions, growth, and carcass characteristics of feedlot cattle. During the first 84 d, cattle were fed three different forage concentrations in the diet (15%, 41.5%, or 68% corn silage) with or without Mootral. From day 85 to slaughter, corn silage was included at 15% of the diet DM with or without Mootral. CH4 emissions were measured on day 42 to 46 and day 203 to 207. Data were analyzed using the GLIMMIX procedure of SAS. Mootral did not affect CH4 emissions on days 42 to 46 (P ≥ 0.47), but there was a forage effect, where steers fed the 68% corn silage emitted more CH4 on a g/d (P = 0.05) and a g/kg of dry matter intake (DMI; P = 0.007) basis and tended (P = 0.07) to produce more CH4 on g/kg BW basis compared to steers fed the 15% corn silage diet. On day 203 to 207, steers fed Mootral emitted less (P ≤ 0.03) CH4 on a g/d, g/kg DMI, and g/kg BW basis compared to steers not fed Mootral. There was an interaction (P = 0.03) between forage concentration and Mootral for DMI from day 0 to 84, where Mootral decreased DMI of steers fed 15% corn silage but did not affect DMI of steers fed 41.5% or 68% corn silage. There were no effects (P ≥ 0.22) of forage concentration or Mootral on BW or average daily gain at any time, or on DMI from day 84 to slaughter and overall. However, overall calculated net energy for maintenance (NEm) and net energy for gain (NEg) tended to be greater for steers fed Mootral (P ≤ 0.10). Intake from day 0 to 84 was lower and gain:feed from day 0 to 84 and overall was greater (P = 0.04) for steers fed 68% compared to steers fed 41.5% corn silage. Calculated NEm and NEg from day 0 to 84 and overall were greater for steers fed 68% corn silage compared to steers fed 41.5% corn silage (P ≤ 0.03). Mootral tended to decrease (P ≤ 0.09) fat thickness and yield grade. In conclusion, increasing forage concentration increased CH4 emissions and Mootral decreased CH4 production in 15% corn silage diets and tended to improve carcass leanness.

Methane (CH4) production from enteric fermentation in ruminant animals is a contributor to global CH4, which is a greenhouse gas. Mootral (Mootral SA, Rolle, Switzerland) is a feed supplement that contains garlic and bitter orange extracts that are known to inhibit methanogenic bacteria. The objective of the current study was to quantify CH4 production and determine growth, intake, and carcass characteristics of feedlot steers fed Mootral in diets with a low, medium, and high forage concentration. Our findings demonstrate that increasing forage concentration increased CH4 emissions and that Mootral decreased CH4 production in 15% corn silage diets and improved carcass leanness. Mootral could be used in commercial feedlots and other grain-feeding scenarios as an effective method to decrease CH4 emissions.

Effect of feeding a pellet diet containing high sulphur with fresh cassava root supplementation on feed use efficiency, ruminal characteristics and blood metabolites in Thai native beef cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to study the effect of feeding pellet containing high sulphur (PELFUR) diet and fresh cassava root (FCR) to Thai native beef cattle on feed use efficiency, ruminal characteristics and blood metabolites. Four male purebred Thai native beef cattle (1.5-2.0 years old) with initial body weight (BW) of 150 ± 15.0 kg were allocated with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. Factor A was FCR supplementation at 15 and 20 g/kg of BW. Factor B was the sulphur level in the PELFUR ration at 15 and 30 g/kg of dry matter (DM). No interaction effect was found among FCR supplementation and PELFUR in terms of feed intake and nutrient intake (p > 0.05). Cyanide intake was significantly increased based on FCR supplementation (p < 0.05), whereas sulphur intake was increased by level addition of PELFUR levels (p < 0.05). There were interaction effects among FCR supplementation and PELFUR on digestibility coefficients of DM and organic matter (OM) (p < 0.05). FCR supplementation at 20 g/kg BW with PELFUR 30 g/kg demonstrated the highest digestibility of DM and OM. Moreover, interactions were observed between FCR and PELFUR for bacterial populations (p < 0.01). The populations of bacteria were highest in FCR supplementation at 20 g/kg BW with PELFUR 30 g/kg at various feeding times. An interaction effect from among feeding FCR with PELFUR was found on blood thiocyanate concentrations at various feeding times (p < 0.01). The highest mean values of blood thiocyanate were observed when feeding FCR at 20 g/kg BW with PELFUR at 30 g/kg. No interaction effect was found between FCR and PELFUR on total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and their profiles (p > 0.05). However, the proportions of the total VFA at 0 and 4 h post-feeding were increased when FCR at 20 g/kg BW was supplemented (p < 0.01). FCR at 20 g/kg BW could enhance propionate (C3) at 4 h post-feeding when compared with FCR at 15 g/kg BW (p < 0.01). Moreover, supplementation of PELFUR at 30 g/kg increased the total VFA at 0 and 4 h post-feeding, whereas the concentration of C3 at 4 h post-feeding was enhanced (p < 0.05). However, no significant changes were found for any parameters among treatments and between the main effect of FCR and PELFUR supplementation (p > 0.05). In conclusion, feeding of two combinations (FCR 20 g/kg BW with PELFUR 30 g/kg) could promote the nutrient digestibility, the bacterial populations and the rate of disappearance of cyanide without having any adverse effect on rumen fermentation.

Effect of Sulfur and Urea Fortification of Fresh Cassava Root in Fermented Total Mixed Ration on the Improvement Milk Quality of Tropical Lactating Cows.

The aim of the present research was to determine the influence of sulfur and urea combined with fresh cassava root in fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) on digestibility, fermentation in the rumen, blood metabolite, milk yield, and milk quality in tropical lactating dairy cows. Four mid-lactation Thai Holstein-Friesian crossbred cows were studied. Pre-experiment milk yield was 12.7 ± 0.30 kg/day, and the body weight was 495 ± 40.0 kg. Animals were evaluated in a 2 × 2 factorial in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive diets followed by: factor A, which was a dose of sulfur inclusion at 1.0% and 2.0%, and factor B, which was level of urea inclusion at 1.25% and 2.5% DM in FTMR. The hydrogen cyanide (HCN) concentrations reduced 99.3% to 99.4% compared with fresh cassava root when FTMR was supplemented with 1.0% and 2.0% sulfur, respectively. Intake of crude protein was increased based on urea level addition (p < 0.05). Blood thiocyanate concentration was increased by 21.6% when sulfur was supplemented at 2.0% compared to 1.0% (p < 0.05). There was no difference in protozoal concentration, whereas bacterial populations at 4 h after feeding were significantly greater by 6.1% with the FTMR supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.01). Allantoin concentrations, excretion, absorption, and microbial crude protein showed significant interactions between sulfur levels and urea levels in cows fed diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.05). The molar ratios of the volatile fatty acid (VFA) profile were affected by dietary FTMR (p < 0.01). Furthermore, propionic acid increased by 4.6% when diets were supplemented by 2.5% sulfur (p < 0.01). Milk fat and total solids increased when feed was supplemented with 2.0% sulfur and 2.5% urea (p < 0.05). The diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur levels resulted in greater concentrations of milk thiocyanate (p < 0.05). The somatic cell count was significantly reduced throughout the experiment with increasing sulfur supplementation (p < 0.05). Animals fed diets supplemented with 2.0% sulfur exhibited a decreased somatic cell count by 18.3% compared with those fed diets supplemented with 1.0% sulfur. Thus, inclusion of 2.0% sulfur with 2.5% urea in FTMR containing fresh cassava root improved digestibility, ruminal fermentation, microbial crude protein synthesis, and milk qualities in dairy cows.

Improving the nutritive value of cassava bioethanol waste using fermented yeast as a partial replacement of protein source in dairy calf ration.

The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae)-fermented cassava bioethanol waste (YECAW) on feed utilization, ruminal fermentation, and microbial population in dairy calves fed a concentrate diet at 1% body weight (BW). Four male Holstein Friesian crossbred calves with an initial BW of 109 ± 6.23 kg were used in this research. The experimental design was a 4 × 4 Latin squared design and the dietary treatments were four levels of YECAW supplementation at 0%, 5%, 10%, and 20% concentrate mixture. The YECAW product contained CP at 25.1% dry matter (DM) and NDF and ADF at 65.2 and 40.6% DM, respectively. Inclusion of YECAW did not alter feed intake of rice straw, total intake, nutrient intake, and digestion coefficients (P > 0.05). Ruminal pH and temperature, ruminal ammonia-nitrogen, and blood urea-nitrogen (BUN) were not significant by YECAW levels supplementation (P > 0.05). Increasing YECAW levels did not adversely affect the population of bacteria, protozoa, and fungi and values ranged from 6.5 to 7.0 × 1012, 3.2 to 4.0 × 105, and 6.9 to 7.4 × 103 cells/ml, respectively (P > 0.05). Feeding of YECAW to dairy calves did not affect the total VFA, acetic acid (C2), propionic acid (C3), or butyric acid (C4) proportion (P > 0.05) which ranged from 102.6 to104.6 mmol/l, 70.7 to 72.0, 17.8 to 20.2, and 9.1 to 10.3 mol/ 100 mol, respectively. Therefore, feeding of YECAW is recommended because no adversely affect the utilization of feed and rumen characteristics and might be alternative protein source for ruminants.

Effects of Sulfur Levels in Fermented Total Mixed Ration Containing Fresh Cassava Root on Feed Utilization, Rumen Characteristics, Microbial Protein Synthesis, and Blood Metabolites in Thai Native Beef Cattle.

The influence of sulfur included in fermented total mixed ration (FTMR) containing fresh cassava root on rumen characteristics, microbial protein synthesis, and blood metabolites in cattle was evaluated. Four Thai native beef cattle were randomly assigned according to a 2 × 2 factorial in a 4 × 4 Latin square design, and dietary treatments were as follows: factor A included a level of sulfur at 1% and 2% in total mixed ration, and factor B featured ensiling times at zero and 7 days. Digestibility of dry matter was increased when FTMR was supplemented with 2% sulfur. Blood thiocyanate increased by 69.5% when ensiling time was 7 days compared to no ensiling (p < 0.01). Bacterial populations were significantly different in the FTMR containing sulfur at 2% and 7 days of ensiling. Furthermore, microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial protein synthesis were higher in the FTMR containing 2% sulfur and 7 days of ensiling (p < 0.01). Thus, high levels of hydrocyanic acid from fresh cassava root could be detoxified by a sulfur addition with an ensiling process to become nontoxic to cattle.

Effects of feeding fresh cassava root with high-sulfur feed block on feed utilization, rumen fermentation, and blood metabolites in Thai native cattle.

The objective of this research was to evaluate the effect of feeding fresh cassava root (CR) along with a feed block containing high was to sulfur (FBS) on feed intake, digestibility, rumen fermentation, and blood thiocyanate concentration in Thai native beef cattle. Four Thai male native beef cattle, initial body weight (BW) of 130 + 20.0 kg, were used in this study. The experiments were randomly assigned according to a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The main factors were supplemented fresh CR levels (1.0 and 1.5% BW) and across to a feed block supplemented with sulfur added 2% (FBS-2) and 4% (FBS-4). Intakes of rice straw, concentrate diets, and FBS were not affected by treatments. Intakes of CR, sulfur, and total intake were significantly altered by the FBS treatment. The apparent dry matter and organic matter digestibility coefficient were significantly higher in animals fed FBS-4 than in those fed FBS-2. The ruminal ammonia nitrogen concentration was not affected by treatment and ranged from 15.6 to 17.6 mg/dl. Populations of protozoa and fungal zoospores were similar across treatments, whereas the bacterial population was significantly different between sulfur levels in the feed block. Feeding CR with FBS did not change total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations and VFA profiles except for the propionic acid concentration, which was higher in the group with CR supplementation at 1.5% BW. Cattle fed CR with FBS showed similar blood urea nitrogen concentration at various feeding times and overall. In contrast, CR supplementation at 1.5% BW with FBS-2 increased blood thiocyanate concentrations. Therefore, supplementation of FBS-2 was beneficial to Thai native beef cattle fed with 1.5% BW fresh CR as it improved digestibility and rumen fermentation presumed, because HCN from fresh cassava root was converted into thiocyanate, which is nontoxic to farm animals.

Effect of dried rumen digesta pellet levels on feed use, rumen ecology, and blood metabolite in swamp buffalo.

The aim of this experiment was to determine the effect of dried rumen digesta pellet levels on feed intake, digestibility, rumen ecology, and blood metabolites in swamp buffalo. Four 2-year-old male swamp buffalo with an initial body weight (BW) of 150 ± 10.0 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four levels of dried rumen digesta pellets (DRDPs). The dietary treatments were supplementation of DRDP at 0, 50, 100, and 150 g dry matter/day, respectively. Total feed intake was significantly different among treatments (p < 0.05) and was highest in the 150 g/day DRDP supplement (2.68 kg/day). Intakes of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber did not affect DRDP levels, while intakes of organic matter and crude protein (CP) were altered significantly when 150 g of DRDP was used (p < 0.05). Buffalo fed with DRDP at 150 g/day had the highest CP and NDF digestibility (p < 0.05). DRDP supplementation did not affect rumen pH, and temperature and the concentration of ruminal ammonia-nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen were not altered among the treatments. The mean value of fungal zoospores in the buffalo was significantly different among treatments and was highest in supplementation with DRDP at 150 g. The mean value of propionic acid was significantly different at various levels of DRDP; it was highest in the group fed with 150 g DRDP (p < 0.05). Thus, supplementation of DRDP at 150 g improved feed use and increased fungal zoospore population. In addition, DRDP feeding is recommended, since it has positive economic impacts and helps control environmental pollution.

Improving rumen ecology and microbial population by dried rumen digesta in beef cattle.

Four Thai native beef cattle with initial body weight (BW) of 91.8 ± 4.75 kg were randomly assigned according to a 4 × 4 Latin square design to receive four concentrates replacement levels of soybean meal (SBM) by dried rumen digesta (DRD) at 0, 33, 67, and 100 % on dry matter (DM) basis. All cattle were fed rice straw ad libitum while additional concentrate was fed at 0.5 % BW daily. The experiment was conducted for four periods of 21 days. Rumen fluid was analyzed for predominant cellulolytic bacterial population by using real-time PCR technique. Increasing levels of DRD did not alter total feed intake, ruminal pH and temperature, and plasma urea nitrogen (P > 0.05). Protozoa and fungal population were not differed by DRD supplementation while population of bacteria at 4 h post feeding was increased when SBM was replaced with DRD at 66 and 100 % DM. Population of total bacteria and R. flavefaciens at 4 h post feeding were significantly highest with inclusion of 100 % of DRD in the ration. The experimental diets has no effect on excretion and absorption of purine derivatives (P > 0.05), while microbial crude protein and efficiency of microbial N synthesis were significantly increased with DRD inclusion in the diet and highest with 100 % DRD replacement (P > 0.05). Replacement of SBM by DRD at 100 % DM improved the rumen ecology and microbial population in beef cattle fed on rice straw.