Anthelmintic activity of Carica pubescens aqueous seed extract and its effects on rumen fermentation and methane reduction in Indonesian thin-tailed sheep: An in vitro study.

Background and Aim: Seeds from Carica pubescens were observed to be abundant as waste. This waste contains active plant compounds whose utilization has not been studied in the livestock sector. This study was conducted to evaluate the potential of an aqueous seed extract of Carica pubescens (ASE) as an anthelmintic agent during rumen fermentation and methane reduction. Materials and Methods: Aqueous seed extract of Carica pubescens was prepared from C. pubescens cultivated in Wonosobo, Indonesia. Phytochemical analyses were performed to quantify the secondary metabolite content of ASE. In vitro adult worm mortality tests, scanning electron microscopy, and gas production tests were conducted to evaluate rumen characteristics, methane reduction, and the potential of ASE as an anthelmintic against Haemonchus contortus. Adult worms and ruminal fluid were collected from Indonesian thin-tailed sheep. Two-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey's test was performed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences® 21.0 software to detect significant differences. Results: In vitro study results showed that 1-5% ASE inhibited H. contortus after the 1st h of incubation, and 5% ASE suppressed 100% of adult H. contortus worms in the 5th h. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of ASE-treated worms ASE revealed damaged cuticle structures. ASE had no significant effect on pH, NH3, volatile fatty acid, acetate, propionate, butyrate, acetate: propionate, or microbial protein in rumen fluid (p > 0.05). The in vitro feed fermentation results showed that ASE significantly affected methane reduction. Conclusion: The inclusion of up to 5% ASE in sheep diets may serve as a potential alternative anthelmintic against H. contortus as well as a methane reduction agent, without deleterious effects on rumen fermentation.

The profile of tropical alfalfa in Indonesia: A review.

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.), or lucerne, is a subtropical plant popularly known as the "Queen of Forages". It has a superior nutritional profile that includes high levels of crude protein, secondary metabolites, as well as macro and micro minerals, making it one of the best feed fodders in the world. Alfalfa is also highly adaptable to both warm and cold climates in addition to being highly nutritious. These features have led to the cultivation of alfalfa in tropical areas, such as Indonesia. Studies have been conducted on the vegetative and generative aspects of alfalfa cultivation in tropical regions to increase crop yield and sustainability. Progress in the cultivation and use of alfalfa in tropical regions has been encouraging and has led to the potential emergence of a new stock, namely tropical alfalfa, which is now a high-quality green forage source in tropical regions. Cultivation of tropical alfalfa provides breeders with a high-quality feed, leading to significant improvement in the condition and health of livestock and an increase in the production of meat, milk, and eggs. This review will be very important source of information not only for researchers but also for businessman who have a concern to develop alfalfa tropic either for feed or food (growth characteristic, function and nutrient content).

Effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in the diet on the growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility of hybrid ducks.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Feed plays the most important role in supporting livestock productivity. There is a need for studies on the nutrient levels in feed absorbed by the body of livestock. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) supplementation in feed on growth, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility in hybrid ducks. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted in vivo using 75 hybrid ducks, with three treatments and five replications. Each replication consisted of five ducks. The treatments were: T0=basal ration without any alfalfa supplementation; T1=basal ration+3% fresh alfalfa supplementation; and T2=basal ration+6% fresh alfalfa supplementation. Fresh alfalfa was quantified on the basis of dry matter content. Drinking water was provided ad libitum. The observed variables were growth performance, measured in terms of feed consumption, body weight gain, and feed conversion ratio; duodenum histomorphology, measured in terms of villus height, villus width, and crypt depth; digestibility, measured in terms of dry matter digestibility; and organic matter, crude protein, and crude fiber concentrations. The data were analyzed using variance analysis with a completely randomized design of one-way pattern with Statistical Product for Service Solution application of version 22. The data with significant differences were further analyzed using Duncan's new multiple range rest. RESULTS: The results of the study showed that 3% alfalfa supplementation increased feed consumption and body weight gain of the hybrid ducks at 35 days of age compared with 0% and 6% supplementation. Furthermore, 3% alfalfa supplementation presented the best result in terms of villus height and duodenal crypt depth. Meanwhile, 6% alfalfa supplementation decreased nutrient digestibility in the ducks. CONCLUSION: These findings show that supplementation of feed with fresh alfalfa could have a significant effect on hybrid ducks in terms of growth performance, small intestinal histomorphology, and digestibility.

The Utilisation of Tannin Extract as a Dietary Additive in Ruminant Nutrition: A Meta-Analysis.

The objective of this meta-analysis was to elucidate whether there are general underlying effects of dietary tannin extract supplementation on rumen fermentation, digestibility, methane production, performance, as well as N utilisation in ruminants. A total of 70 papers comprised of 348 dietary treatments (from both in vivo and in situ studies) were included in the study. The database was then statistically analysed by the mixed model methodology, in which different experiments were considered as random effects and tannin-related factors were treated as fixed effects. The results revealed that an increased level of tannin extract inclusion in the diet lowered ruminant intake, digestibility, and production performance. Furthermore, the evidence also showed that an increased level of tannin extract decreased animal N utilisation where most of rumen by-pass protein was not absorbed well in the small intestine and directly excreted in the faeces. Due to the type of tannin extract, HT is more favourable to maintain nutrient intake, digestibility, and production performance and to mitigate methane production instead of CT, particularly when supplemented at low (<1%) to moderate (~3%) levels.