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https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/dujopas.v10i3c.25
ISSN (Print): 2476-8316
ISSN (Online): 2635-3490
Dutse Journal of Pure and Applied Sciences (DUJOPAS), Vol. 10 No. 3c September 2024
Author for Correspondence
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 257
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed
Formulation on Goat (
Capra aegagrus hircu
s) Rumen
Microbial Activities and
in vitro
Gas Production
Ntagbu, F. G., Aborisade, W. T. and Awe, S.
Department of Microbiology,
Faculty of Pure and Applied Sciences,
Kwara State University,
Malete.
Email: fntagbugift@gmail.com
Abstract
This study assessed the effect of browse Plants feed formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) rumen
microbial activities and in vitro gas production in Red Sokoto goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) over a
period of fourteen (14) weeks. Four selected browse plants- Afzelia africana (TAa) Detarium
microcarpum (TDm), Daniellia oliveri (TDo) and Khaya senegalensis (TKs) -were used to formulate
diets for animal feeding. Three groups of growing Indigenous Red Sokoto goats were assigned to each
of the browse plant diets (BPD), while the control group was placed on a basal diet only. Rumen fluids
were collected from the goats intermittently for three (3) consecutive periods, and analyzed for pH,
methylene blue-reduction time (MBRT), nitrate reduction, cellulose digestion, glucose fermentation
and sedimentation activity rate. The results showed that browse plant feed formulation did not have a
significant (p > 0.05) effect on the pH value of the rumen contents. Significant (p < 0.05) reductions in
MBRT, nitrate reduction, and glucose fermentation were observed in all treatments except the control
diets. However, the period for cellulose digestion significantly increased in all the browse plant-
supplemented diet treatments. Furthermore, the volume of gas produced was significantly reduced by
64% (TAa), 62% (TDm), 71% (TDo), and 74% (TKs) in goats fed with browse plants as dietary
supplements compared to 7% in the control (Tc). Overall, this study demonstrated that browse plant
feed has the potential to significantly reduce the volume of methane produced and released by ruminant
animals into the environment.
Keywords: Browse Plants, Gas Production, Indigenous Red Sokoto Goats, Methane gas,
Methylene Blue Reduction, Rumen Microbial Ecolgy,
Introduction
The rumen's microbial communities which include bacteria, fungi, viruses, protozoa, and
archaea have the potential to transform fibrous, low-quality plant materials into nutrients that
are made available to ruminants. The ruminant's special capability to transform plant fodder
into high-quality food products has helped to ensure the sustainability of food and
agricultural systems. They are of great value to the production of food of animal origin by
using crop residues and byproducts as feed sources (Hinsu et al., 2021).
Ruminant animals are extremely valuable due to the demand for their meat and fibre products.
The transformation of feed into final products that have an impact on both the animal and the
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 258
environment is greatly influenced by the microorganisms in the digestive tracts.
Understanding these processes is essential, as the need and productivity of livestock are on
the increase, especially in developing nations. Management and use of feed and other natural
resources are essential to the development of sustainable ruminant production (Ellison et
al., 2017).
Research has shown that the type and makeup of the feed that ruminants consume may have
an impact on the ecology of the rumen microbes and, as a result, the quantity of gases that
are produced and released (Malmuthuge et al., 2012; Paone and Cani, 2020). Without the
ability of the rumen microbial flora to ferment, it is anticipated that the majority of the feed
components for ruminants cellulose and lignin that serve as their primary source of nutrients
could not be digested (Mizrahi et al., 2021).
One crucial step in the acquisition and digestion of feed for the ruminants is the fermentation
process carried out by the gut flora and the methanogenesis activities of the methane-
producing organisms. It has been reported that all of these gases are released into the
environment as ruminant waste products (Rinninella et al., 2019; Cui et al., 2020).
The rumen gut flora consists of obligate and facultative anaerobic communities that can break
down feeds that contain cellulose and lignin. There is a global concern about the impact of
accumulated greenhouse gases on the environment and the resultant loss of quality and
productivity of livestock. Microbial rumen fermentation processes have been implicated in
increased protein losses, like nitrogen with its resultant restriction in the animal's ability to
produce at its peak, and energy losses, like methane that add to the environment's greenhouse
gas pollution.
Over time it is observed that the manipulation of the rumen microbial population using a
Number of chemical feed additives, antibiotics, ionophores, methane inhibitors, and
defaunating agents has led to probable toxicity problems for the host animals, the risk of
residues in food of animal origin, and the emergence of multi-drug-resistant microbes that
may threaten human health (Olafadehan and Okunade 2016).
Additionally, consumer advocacy groups have criticized these supplements for their lack of
quality and safety. The search for natural feed additive(s) as substitutes. has been sparked by
consumer demands. One such initiative from recent years is the addition of browse plants,
which numerous studies have shown to be extremely beneficial for these ruminants as feed.
They have year-round availability and sufficient nutritional value to support the animals
(Olafadehan and Okunade, 2016).
The secondary plant metabolites, such as saponins, tannins, and essential plant oils, are
responsible for the antimicrobial activity of browse plants (Olafadehan and Okunade,
2016). The potential of many of these advantageous browse foliages to control the rumen
microbial population and their environment for efficient ruminant animal production and the
decrease of pollutants (enteric methane) that contribute to climate change has not been
thoroughly investigated. These findings revealed that selected species of browse plants have
the ability to manipulate the rumen microbial ecology. Therefore, this study assesses the effect
of selected browse plants on rumen microbial activities and in vitro gas production in red
Sokoto goats (Capra aegagrus hircus).
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 259
Materials and Methods
Experimental Site
The research was conducted at the teaching and research farm of the Federal College of
Wildlife Management, New- Bussa, Niger State. The experimental station (New Bussa) sits at
9o 53’N,9.883oN and 4o 31’E, 4.517oE (NIPOST Archives, 2009).
Sample Collection.
A fresh plant sample was harvested in the wild from the bushes surrounding the premises of
the Federal College of Wildlife Management in New Bussa, Niger State. The identity of the
plant was confirmed and the voucher was assigned to the Herbarium Department, Forestry
Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN), Ibadan, Oyo State, with the Ascension numbers
FHI.114086, FHI.114087, FHI.1140868, and FHI.114089, respectively. Fifteen red-growing
Sokoto goat breeds weighing between 7 and 10 grams were purchased from the Wawa and
Dongogari markets, all in Borgu local government. area, Niger State, Nigeria. They were
allowed to acclimatise to the environmental conditions of the experimental site and feed and
water were supplied ad libitum. One hundred 100 mL of representative rumen content was
collected intermittently for three consecutive periods before morning feeding on each day of
sample collection from each buck with the aid of a suction tube, as described by Okunade et
al. (2014). The rumen liquor was collected into the thermoflask that had been pre-warmed to
a temperature of 39 oC.
Ethical Clearance
Ethical clearance for the study was obtained from the Federal College of Wildlife Management
Ethical Committee with approval number CWM/RERC/2023/667.
Screening of Tanniferrous plant fodders
Samples were analyzed chemically according to the official methods of analysis described by
the Association of Official Analytical Chemists (AOAC, 2005). All analyses were carried out
in duplicate. Some selected tanniferrous plant fodder were (Ac = Acacia alibido, Dm = Detarium
microcarpum, Ks = khaya senegalesis, Pt = Piliostigma thonnigi, Do = Damella oliven, Tj = Teminalia
jigosona, Aa = Afzellia Africana, Vp = Vitellaria paradoxa). pre - screened and analyzed for its
proximate and phytochemical composition (crude protein, crude fibre, ether extract and ash).
The fibre fractions; neutral detergent fibre (NDF), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and acid
detergent lignin (ADL) were determined according to AOAC official method 988.05. Cellulose
and hemicellulose were calculated as the differences between ADF and ADL, NDF and ADF
respectively in order to know and select the suitable fodder based on concentration or amount
of condensed tannins after which the basal diet comprised of (Maize, offal 25kg, cowpea husk
45,50kg, Groundnut cake (GNC) 20kg, Brewers dried grain 5kg, Vitamim – mineral Premix
1kg, Dicalcium phosphate 2kg, sulphur powder 1kg and Table Salt 1kg = 100kg)
supplemented with suitable selected Samples of browse foliage were equally analyzed
according to the standard methods of (AOAC, 2005).
Chemicals used
All the reagents and chemicals used in this study were of analytical grade and procured from
the Central Research Laboratory, Ilorin, Kwara State and the Department of Animal Science,
University of Ibadan, Nigeria.
Experimental design and management
Fifteen growing Red Sokoto bucks, 7–9 months old, with an average initial weight of 9.00±0.25
kg, were used for the study. Each goat was housed in an individual pen (1.20 m × 0.80 m ×
0.70 m) furnished with drinking and feeding facilities. The goats were treated against
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 260
endoparasites and ectoparasites prior to the commencement of the experiment. They were
randomly allocated to five dietary treatments in a completely randomized design. Each
treatment was replicated with three animals. The experimental diets were formulated to meet
the nutritional requirements of growing goats. The animals in the last treatment (control) were
served the concentrate (as shown in Figure 1) formulated with a basal diet of threshed
sorghum top only, while the remaining four treatments were supplemented with Afzelia
aaricana, Detarium microcarpum, Daniellia oliveri, and Khaya senegalensis. The experimental diets
were offered as a complete ration mix (forage and concentrate) in two equal meals. The
experiment lasted for 14 weeks. Browsed foliage was served after the basal feed. Provision
was made for a daily feed allowance of 10% above that of the previous day`s intake. Clean
water was provided ad libitum daily.
Physicochemical characteristics of the rumen fluid
Immediately after sample collection, the pH was measured using a pH meter, and the fluid
was allowed to sit in a test tube and determine the time (in minutes) for complete
sedimentation and flotation of solid particles in order to test for sedimentation activity time
(SAT). Smaller particles sink, and larger particles float on the bubbles of fermentation
(Ismael et al., 2014). In another portion of the rumen fluid, the methylene blue reduction time
(MBRT) was measured: 20 ml of rumen fluid was mixed with 1 ml of 0.03% methylene blue
in a test tube and allowed to stand at room temperature, and a timer was set. The time needed
for the color of the mixture to change was measured and recorded (Inyang and Ososanya,
2017).
Cellulose digestion test.
Ten (10) ml of rumen fluid was mixed with 0.3 ml of 16% glucose. A thread of pure cellulose
was immersed, and the lower end was weighted by a glass bead. The tubes were incubated at
39°C for 72 hours and the time for the bead to be dropped free at the bottom of the tube was
recorded.
Nitrate Reduction test
Ten (10) ml of sieved rumen fluid was placed into each of the three test tubes, and 0.2, 0.5,
and 0.7 ml of 0.025% potassium nitrate solution were added to the three tubes. The three tubes
were put in a water bath at 39 °C. Every five minutes, one drop from each tube was placed on
a small ceramic plate. 2 drops of reagent I (2 ml of sulphanilic acid in 30% acetic acid to make
200 ml) and Two (2) drops of reagent II (0.6 ml alpha-naphthylamine + 16 ml conc. acetic acid)
were added to each drop, and 140 ml of distilled water was also added. The change in color
was observed.
Glucose Fermentation test
A glucose solution of 0.5 ml of 16 % was added to 10 ml of rumen fluid. The mixture was
placed in a fermentation saccharometer and kept at 39ºc for 72 hours. The results was read
after 30 and 60 min.
In Vitro Gas Production
All laboratory handling of rumen fluid was carried out under a continuous flow of carbon (IV)
oxide. Two hundred milligrams (200 mg) of the dry and milled leaves of each experimental
diet were accurately weighed, packed in asbestos cloth sealed in both ends and put into a
calibrated transparent 100ml glass syringe fitted with plungers. In vitro, incubation of the
samples was conducted in triplicate. Syringes were filled with 30 ml of medium consisting of
10 ml of strained rumen fluid and 20 ml of buffer solution (g/liter of 1.985 (Na2) HPO4 + 1.302
KH2PO4 + 0.105 MgCl2.6H2O + 1.407 NH2HCO3 + 5.418 NaHCO3 + 0.390 Cysteine HCl + 0.100
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 261
NaOH) and three blank samples containing 30 ml of medium (inoculums and buffer) were
incubated at the same time. The syringes were placed in a rotor inside the incubator (39 °C)
with about one rotation per minute. The gas production was recorded at 3, 6, 9, 12, 18, 24, 36,
and 48 hours. During the post-incubation period, 4 ml of (10 M) sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
was dispensed into each incubated sample. Sodium hydroxide was added to absorb carbon
dioxide that was produced during the fermentation process, and the remaining volumes of
gas were recorded as methane, according to the report by Isah et al., (2014). The average
volume of gas produced from the blanks was deducted from the volume of gas produced from
the samples.
Statistical analysis
Data obtained were subjected to statistical analysis using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and
the significance mean value was identified using Dunnet posthoc analysis at P < 0.05 on SPSS
version 21 software.
RESULTS
The results for the chemical composition of tanniferrous plant samples pre-screened for
selection are presented in Table 1. The amount of crude protein obtained in the selected
tanniniferous plant foliage used in this experiment was within the range that had been
previously reported by Okunade et al., (2014) for tropical tanniniferous plant foliage. Non-
fibre carbohydrates and NDF were within the normal levels required for growing goats (Isah
et al., 2014; Jha et al., 2019). Condensed tannin and saponin concentrations in all the plant
foliage studied in this work are moderate, except for A. olibido, for the level ruminant animals
can tolerate without any detrimental effect (Okunade et al., 2014). Baker et al., (2021) also
reported that chemical composition is subjected to wide fluctuations depending on soil and
climate characteristics. The nutrient density of this selected tanniferous plant foliage in terms
of CP, NFC, and NDF is adequate to meet the nutrient requirements of growing goats (Salah
et al., 2014; Rinninella et al., 2019). In addition, the moderate CT and saponin contents reported
in this study, which can increase rumen undegraded proteins and help in enteric methane
(CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) mitigation, indicate that all the selected browse plants have
potential feeding value as dietary plant supplement for ruminants in areas where one of the
most important factors limiting productivity is feed supply.
Table 1: Chemical composition of tanniferous browse plant sample
Plant
Sam
ples
Parameters
Crude
Protein (%)
Crude
Fibre (%)
Dry Matter
(%)
Tannin (%)
Saponin
(%)
Volatile Oil
(%)
Phytic acid
(%)
Ac
14.0a ± 0.2
22.6a ± 0.1
92.6a ± 0.1
10.5a ± 6.2
5.9a ± 1.9
4.9b ± 4.9
16.3a ± 10.8
Dm
5.6c ± 0.4
13.5c ± 0.1
93.0a ± 0.0
3.4b ± 0.2
3.9b ± 0.3
10.8a ± 0.5
4.9b ± 1.9
Ks
4.9c ± 0.2
22.0a ± 0.2
93.3a ± 0.2
3.6b ± 0.1
4.5b ± 0.4
12.5a ± 1.7
12.6a ± 8.8
Pt
9.6b ± 0.3
22.7a ± 0.0
93.6a ±0.5
3.7b ± 0.4
4.6b ± 0.5
14.2a ± 1.1
7.9b ± 0.1
Do
2.9d ± 0.4
18.8b±0.1
92.7a ± 0.2
4.0b ± 0.2
3.9b ± 0.1
12.3a ± 1.2
7.7b ± 0.6
Tj
7.9b ± 0.5
15.2b± 0.5
93.2a ± 0.3
3.8b ± 0.1
4.1b ± 0.4
11.4a ± 1.6
6.8b ± 0.3
Aa
9.6b ± 0.1
10.9c ± 0.1
94.5a ± 0.2
3.9b ± 0.1
4.4b ± 0.4
13.6a ± 0.4
6.5b ± 0.0
Vp
8.5b ± 0.2
17.3b± 0.2
94.2a ± 0.3
4.1b ± 0.3
4.2b ± 0.5
14.5a ± 0.5
7.1b ± 0.9
Key: Ac = Acacia alibido, Dm = Detarium microcarpum, Ks = khaya senegalesis, Pt = Piliostigma thonnigi, Do = Damella
oliven, Tj = Teminalia jigosona, Aa = Afzellia Africana, Vp = Vitellaria paradoxa. Tannin values within
the range of “3 – 4 %” are within the standard range that could support healthy rumen flora.
The chemical composition of the feed supplements is presented in Table 2. The lowest value
of CP (12.70 g/100 g DM) for Khaya senegalensis is well above the range of 7.0–8.0 g/100g DM
suggested as the critical limit below which intake of forages by ruminants and rumen
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 262
microbial activity would be adversely affected (Isah et al., 2014). The optimal concentration of
NFC is important in ruminants’ diets to avoid acidosis and other metabolic problems. Diets
with excess NFC can cause ruminant upsets and health problems. The fibre fraction contents
of the plant species were generally moderate and within the limits established by the NRC for
ruminant animals to ensure proper digestion and rumination. The mean NDF values of 50.70
and 43.80 g/100 g DM were low to moderate when compared with low-quality roughages,
which ruminants can effectively degrade (Salah et al., 2014). The low to moderate fiber
contents of the browse fodders suggest their high nutritive value since fiber plays a significant
role in voluntary intake and digestibility. The range of cellulose concentrations shows that the
fodders have the potential to support intestinal movement, promote proper rumen function,
and promote dietary efficiency. Kittleman et al., 2016, opined that, the higher the
hemicellulose fraction, the higher the feed value. The levels of CTs recorded for TAa
TDm,TDo, and TKs in this study are much below the range of 60 to 100 g/kg DM, considered
to depress feed intake, growth, and cidal effects (Mbomi et al., 2011; MaAllister et al., 2015).
Therefore, the plant species contained CTs at levels beneficial to ruminants because CTs at
low levels produce a mild or low protein binding effect (Olafadehan, 2013). Similarly, CT-
containing forage, in addition to other benefits, minimizes methane emission by ruminants
(methane mitigation), when not included in a high proportion of the diet (Bodas et al., 2012;
Cieslak et al., 2012). Saponin levels in all the samples were lower than the tolerable level of 15-
20g/kg DM reported for goats, which suggested that the levels reported herein are not likely
to affect the nutritional potential of the plants in ruminants. therefore, feed containing tannin
and saponin has been shown to act as defaunating agents, and is capable of reducing methane
production (Olafadehan 2013).
Figure 1: Nutrient content of formulated concentrate
Maize offal
25%
Cowpea husk
45%
Brewers
dried
grain
5%
Groundnut cake
20%
Dicalcium
phosphate
2%
*Vit-Miniral
Premix
1%
Sulphur powder
1%
Table salt
1%
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 263
Table 2: Chemical composition of controlled diet and supplemented plants
Feed
Formulation
Parameters
DM (%)
CP (%)
FAT (%)
CF (%)
NDF (%)
CT (%)
Sap (%)
T1
93.1a ± 0.1
14.1a ± 0.2
3.6a ± 0.1
12.6a ± 0.1
49.0a ± 0.1
3.4a ± 0.2
3.3a ± 0.1
T2
93.4a ± 0.2
16.1a ± 0.0
4.3a ± 0.2
11.7a ± 0.2
44.3b ± 0.1
3.2a ± 0.2
4.2a ± 0.1
T3
92.9a ± 0.1
13.5a ± 0.4
3.2a ± 0.1
14.2a ± 0.2
50.7a ± 0.3
3.3a ± 0.3
3.4a ± 0.2
T4
92.7a ± 0.1
12.7a ± 0.3
3.6a ± 0.1
13.7a ± 0.1
47.8a ± 0.3
3.0a ± 0.4
4.5a ± 0.1
T5
93.2a ± 0.2
15.7a ± 0.4
4.6a ± 0.1
9.1b ± 0.3
43.8b ± 0.1
0.0b ± 0.0
0.0b ± 0.0
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet
Figure 1: The values of pH of the rumen Contents
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in the
alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05
b
a
b
b
a
b
baa
baa
a a a
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
7.0
8.0
1st 2nd 3rd
PH
PERIOD
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 264
Figure 3: Sedimentation rate per minute of rumen contents
Key: T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet
+ Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in
the alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05
Figure 4: Methylene Blue Reduction Test per minutes of rumen contents
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in the
alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05
a
a
b
a
b
a
a
ab
a
b
a
acc
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1st 2nd 3rd
Sedimentation Rate/minutes
PERIOD
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
a
a
ab
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
abc
0.0
2.0
4.0
6.0
8.0
10.0
12.0
14.0
16.0
1st 2nd 3rd
MBRT per Minute
Period
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 265
Figure 5: Glucose fermentation test per minutes of rumen contents
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in the
alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05
Figure 6: Cellulose digestion rate of rumen contents
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in the
alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05.
b
b
b
b
b
b
b
bb
a
bb
aaa
0.0
50.0
100.0
150.0
200.0
250.0
300.0
350.0
400.0
450.0
500.0
1st 2nd 3rd
Glucose Fermentation Rate (mg/dl)
PERIOD
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
abb
0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0
80.0
100.0
1st 2nd 3rd
CELLULOSE DIGETSION RATE H-1)
PERIOD
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 266
Figure 7: Nitrate reduction rate of rumen contents
T1 = Concentrate diet + Afzelia Africana, T2= Concentrate diet + Detarium macrocarpum, T3 = Concentrate diet +
Danniellia oliveri, T4 = Concentrate diet + Khaya senegalensis, T5 = Concentrate (Control) diet ; The difference in the
alphabet on the charts indicate significant difference at P< 0.05
DISCUSSION
Condensed tannin fortification did not affect the study's pH, as seen in Figure 2, as there was
no statistically significant difference between the treatments. Inyang and Ososanya (2017) also
reported this claim, stating that after eight weeks, the pH levels of probiotics, fibrinolytic
enzymes, and control-supplemented diets remained unchanged. They explained this by
a
b
b
a
b
b
a
c
b
a
b
b
aaa
0.0
1.0
2.0
3.0
4.0
5.0
6.0
1st 2nd 3rd
NITRATE REDUCTION RATE ( H-1)
PERIOD
T1
T2
T3
T4
T5
1…
3…
0.00
5.00
10.00
15.00
20.00
25.00
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
CO2
CH4
Volume (m3)
Gases
0.00-5.00 5.00-10.00 10.00-15.00 15.00-20.00 20.00-25.00
Figure 8: Average gas production of experimental animals fed with Tanniferrous foliage
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 267
saying that probiotics do not affect the pH level of the rumen, preventing lactic acid from
building up there and creating a stable environment for rumen fermentation. The pH result
obtained in this study is in line with earlier findings and also agrees with the report of Ismael
et al., (2014), which stated that condensed tannin did not affect goats' rumen pH value with
any significance. However, it stabilized pH in a range that is compatible with the optimal
ruminal ecological dominance (Ismael et al., 2014).
The current study's sedimentation activity time (SAT) (Figure 3) was susceptible to the effect
of condensed tannin concentration, with higher sedimentation times compared to control
treatments in the second and third periods across treatments 1–4. This outcome differs from
that of Inyang and Ososanya (2017). where the probiotic-supplemented diet showed the
lowest value in the eighth week, differing by 3.25 minutes from the control (4.75 minutes). The
present result showed increased SAT due to an alteration in microbe activity, which in turn
affected substrate degradation. The normal range for SAT is 4–8 minutes. Inactive fluids show
slow sedimentation with little to no flotation due to the effect of condensed tannins, which are
bound to the membranes of the microbes (Inyang and Ososanya, 2017).
The activity of the anaerobic rumen flora is measured using the methylene blue reduction
time (MBRT). According to Ismael et al., (2014), the normal range for MBRT is 3–6 minutes,
but prolonged discolouration, longer than 10–15 minutes, indicates insufficient anaerobic
bacterial population, rumen acidosis, or indigestible roughage. The study's findings are
consistent with Ismael et al., (2014). Methylene blue reduction time (an increased rate) (Figure
4) observed in the second and third periods between T1 and T4 in comparison to the control
diets in the present work indicated inactive ruminal microflora. This claim holds true for
animals fed on probiotics or condensed tannin diets, which significantly reduced the ruminal
microflora population and, in turn, affected their activity (Inyang and Ososanya, 2017).
According to Abdul-Majeed et al., (2011), nitrate acts as an alternative hydrogen sink and
thereby lowers enteric methane production. This is supported by the nitrate reduction test
period obtained in the current study (Figure 5) in treatments 1-4 for the 2nd and 3rd periods,
which indicates nitrogen balance in the diets as compared to the control diets. Growth rates
and nitrogen retention tend to be higher for goats with fermentable nitrogen in their diets.
which is likewise in line with what Inyang and Ososanya (2017) reported.
Figure 6 of the current study illustrates the slower rate of cellulose digestion, which was also
noted in the earlier study and is consistent with the findings of Han et al., (2008) and Inyang
and Ososanya (2017). Hence, the higher time rate recorded in this present study was attributed
to inactive microbial activity when medium- or low-grain-containing rations were used
(Cui et al., 2020).
The glucose concentration as presented in Figure 7 in the present study showed a reduced
glucose level across all the treatments with browse plants compared to the control in the
second and third periods, which indicates reduced gas production (Abdul-Majeed et al., 2011).
The present study agrees with the report of Okunade et al.. (2014), who opined that higher
molecular weight tannins reduce glucose levels and influences the rate and quantity of gas
production.
This study also evaluate the amount of in vitro gas (CO2 and methane) production from
dietary treatments (control and browse plant-supplemented diets). The main factors affecting
total in vitro gas production are the condensed tannin and saponin contents since all the diets
Assessment of the Effect of Browse Plants’ Feed Formulation on Goat (Capra aegagrus hircus) Rumen
Microbial Activities and in vitro Gas Production
Ntagbu F. G., Aborisade W. T., Awe S., DUJOPAS 10 (3c): 257-270, 2024 268
understudied had adequate CP, NFC, and moderate NDF that are below the level that can
lower or hinder digestibility. The volume of gas produced was significantly reduced by 64%
(TAa), 62% (TDm), 71% (TDo), and 74% (TKs) in goats fed with browse plants as dietary
supplements compared to 7% in the control (Tc). This observation agrees with the reports of
Isah et al., (2014) and Patra et al., (2017). Okunade et al., (2014) also opined that the molecular
weight of tannins influences the rate and quantity of gas production in vitro. In the present
study, tannin showed a depressing effect on the fermentability and digestibility of plants. The
control diet (Tc), which is without condensed tannin plant supplementation, was the most
fermentable and digestible dietary treatment that could be associated with the non-detectable
level of phenolic compounds (tannins and saponin), which probably allowed the faster
degradation of high CP, NCF, and NDF, which led to higher gas production compared to
other diets (Elghandour et al., 2017). On the other hand, browse plant-supplemented diets
(TAa, TDm, TDo, and TKs) recorded lower total in vitro gas production in that chronological
order compared to control diets, which could be due to the negative influence of high CT. and
this is in agreement with earlier works (Gunnu et al., 2016; Elghandour et al., 2017).
CONCLUSION
Results obtained showed that the concentration of condensed tannins contained in the browse
plants formulated feed has led to reduced activities of rumen microbes in breaking down
feedstuff and reduction in total gas production and its accompanying enteric pollutants
(CO2 and CH4) thereby reduced the GHG emission, improved feed efficiency and total animal
productivity.
Plant secondary metabolites such as tannins and saponins contained in browse plants can be
used strategically in rumen microbes for reduction of CO2 and enteric methane. This will
eventually improve ruminant performance and minimize greenhouse gas emission thereby
contributing to addressing climate change challenges.
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