In vitro screening of Algerian steppe browse plants for digestibility, rumen fermentation profile and methane mitigation
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Date
2019-06-10
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Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Abstract The aim of this study was to screen the
nutritive value and the effects of anti-nutritional
secondary compounds (condensed tannins) on
in vitro rumen fermentation and methane mitigation
of Algerian steppe browse species: Albizia julibrissin
(pods), Acacia nilotica (pods), Punica granatum
(leaves and pericarp), Vicia faba (leaves), Artemisia
herba-alba (aerial part), Attriplex halimus (leaves) and
Calligonum azel (bark). Chemical composition, and
in vitro digestibility, and rumen fermentation kinetics
and end-products accumulation in batch cultures were
determined. Polyethylene glycol (PEG), a tannin
binding agent was used to measure the biological
activity of tannins. Protein content was high for
A. julibrissin and V. faba and low for the pericarp of
P. granatum and bark of C. azel. The highest concentrations
of total extractable phenols and tannins were
observed in P. granatum, whereas A. halimus showed
the lowest concentrations. A. nilotica, C. azel and A.
julibrissin showed the highest and A. halimus and A
herba-alba the lowest total condensed tannin contents.
Vicia faba was the most digestible forage. All the
browse species used in the current study, with the
exception of C. azel bark, can be used as alternative
feedstuffs for ruminant nutrition. The most promising
forage in terms of reduced methane emissions is
Atriplex halimus foliage, because the decreased
methane production is not associated to a reduced
rumen degradation and fermentation of this forage in
the rumen. However, in vivo studies are warranted to
confirm its potential to be included in ruminant diets