Objective: The aim of this research was to identify the rumen microbial populations and determine the in vitro nutrient digestibility of fermented oil palm fronds (FOPF) by Phanerochaete chrysosporium, which were supplemented with Ca, P and Mn minerals and combined with tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) and elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum). Methodology: This study used a randomized block design consisting of 4 treatment groups: T1 = 20% FOPF+80% (tithonia+elephant grass), T2 = 40% FOPF+60% (tithonia+elephant grass), T3 = 60% FOPF+40% (tithonia+elephant grass) and T4 = 80% FOPF+20% (tithonia+elephant grass). Four replicates were used per treatment. The ratio of tithonia to elephant grass was 1:4. Data were analyzed by analysis of variance (ANOVA) and differences among means were tested using Duncan’s multiple range tests (DMRT) with 5 and 1% confidence intervals. The measured variables were total bacteria, total protozoa, dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD) and crude fiber digestibility (CFD). Results: The results showed that total population of bacteria, DMD, OMD and CFD were the highest (p0.05). Conclusion: T1 (combination of 20% FOPF and 80% tithonia+elephant grass) had the best effect on rumen microbial populations and in vitro digestibility.

Background and Aim: To achieve optimal feed efficiency in ruminants, especially Pesisir cattle, it is necessary to maintain a harmonious equilibrium between energy and protein levels within the rumen. Sulfur supplementation can potentially escalate the energy–protein balance in the rumen. The aim of this study was to explore the formulation of ruminant diets by synchronizing rumen degradable protein (RDP) and non-fiber carbohydrate (NFC) while adding sulfur minerals at different levels. Nutrient digestibility, NH3 concentration, volatile fatty acids (VFA) production, microbial protein synthesis (MPS), and methane gas production were assessed. Materials and Methods: We employed a randomized block design with a 2 × 2 × 3 factorial arrangement and examined diverse incubation periods of 6, 24, and 48 h. Treatment consisted of RDP (60% and 65%), NFC (35% and 40%), and sulfur (0%, 0.15%, and 0.3%) levels. In this study, the Tilley and Terry in vitro technique, which used Pesisir cattle’s rumen fluid, was employed to assess the digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, acid detergent fiber, neutral detergent fiber, and RDP-Rumen undegradable protein. In addition, it measures various rumen fluid attributes, including pH, NH3, VFA, MPS, and methane gas production. Results: Treatment with a coordinated combination of 65% RDP and 40% NFC combined with 0.15% sulfur supplement yielded significantly improved digestibility and notably reduced methane gas production (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The enhancement in digestibility and reduction in methane gas emissions can be attributed to the interaction of RDP, NFC, and sulfur. Feed digestibility was increased in the 65% RDP treatment with 40% NFC and 0.15% sulfur, along with a decrease in methane gas production. Keywords: degradable and undegradable protein, digestibility, non-fiber carbohydrate, rumen fermentation, sulfur.

Background and Aim: Herbal plants have the potential to reduce the population of metagonic bacteria and protozoa due to the bioactive compound contained in herbal plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of herbal plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics, methane (CH4) gas emissions, in vitro nutrient digestibility, and protozoan populations. Materials and Methods: This study consisted of two stages. Stage I involved determining the potential of herbal plants to increase total gas production (Orskov and McDonald methods) and reduce the protozoan population (Hristov method). Three potential herbs were selected at this stage and used in Stage II as supplements in the palm kernel cake (PKC)-based diet (30% herbal plants + 70% PKC). Proximate and Van Soest analyses were used to determine the chemical composition. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD), organic matter (IVOMD), and rumen fermentation characteristics were determined using Theodorous method. Conway microdiffusion was used to determine ammonia concentration (NH3). Gas chromatography was used to determine the total and partial volatile fatty acid production. Results: The results of the first stage showed that seven herbal plants (Moringa oleifera, Rhodomyrtus tomentosa, Clerodendron serratum, Curcuma longa Linn., Urena lobata, Uncaria, and Parkia timoriana) significantly differed in terms of total gas production (p < 0.05). Herbal plants can increase gas production and reduce protozoan populations. The highest total gas production was observed using P. timoriana, M. oleifera, and C. longa Linn. Moringa oleifera plants were the most effective in lowering protozoa population. In Stage 2, the supplementation of herbal plants in PKC-based-diet significantly increased IVDMD, that was ranged from 56.72% to 65.77%, IVOMD that was ranged from 52.10% to 59.54%, and NH3, that was ranged from 13.20 mM to 17.91 mM. Volatile fatty acid partial and total gas production potential and CH4> gas emissions were also significantly different from those of the control (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Supplementation of M. oleifera, C. longa Linn., and P. timoriana in ruminant diet effectively increased total gas production, IVDMD percentage, and IVOMD, and reduced CH4 gas emissions and protozoa populations during rumen fermentation. Keywords: herbal plants, in vitro, methane, protozoa.

Jamarun N, Pazla R, Arief, Jayanegara A, Yanti G. 2020. Chemical composition and rumen fermentation profile of mangrove leaves (Avicennia marina) from West Sumatra, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 5230-5236. This study aimed to determine the potential of mangrove leaves of Avicennia marina for ruminant animal feed. Laboratory tests were carried out on A. marina with three replicates. Parameters measured were proximate and fiber contents, rumen fluid profile (pH, NH3 and VFA), digestibility of nutrients (DM, Ash, CP, CF, NDF, ADF, cellulose, and hemicellulose), macro and micro mineral contents, and phytochemical compounds. The results showed the nutritional content of A. marina were CP 13.37%; Ash 7.17%; lignin 7.34%; TDN 79%, rumen fluid profile is in reasonable condition, digestibility of food substances is more than 50%, rich in macro and micro minerals and contains phytochemical compounds such as phenols, steroids, triterpenoids, and tannins. Macro and micro minerals content of Ca 0.38%, Na 0.20%, Mg 0.20%, K 0.48%, P 0.51%, S 0.01%, Cl 1.03%, Fe 388 ppm, Zn 164 ppm, Mn 211 ppm, and Cu 128 ppm. This research concludes that A. marina is very potential to be used as a ruminant animal feed.

| Fermented sugarcane shoots are used as energy sources, and fermented tithonia (Tithonia diversifolia) as a forage protein source in Kacang goat rations. Avocado waste to optimize rumen bioprocessing. This research aimed to obtain good performance from Kacang goats through appropriate ration formulation based on fermented forage (sugarcane shoots and tithonia) with avocado waste. This formulation is expected to minimize the use of concentrate in the ration. This study used 16 male Kacang goats aged one year, which consisted of four groups based on body weight. The concentrate consists of rice bran, corn, palm kernel cake, salt, and minerals. The treatments were as follows: T0= 35% fermented sugarcane shoots (FSS) + 5% fermented tithonia (FT) + 0% avocado waste (AW) + 60% concentrate, T1= 35% FSS + 9.5% FT + 0.5% AW + 55% concentrate, T2= 35% FSS + 14 % FT + 1% AW + 50% concentrate, T3= 35% FSS + 18.5% FT + 1.5% AW + 45% concentrate. The parameters measured included feed consumption (dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein), nutrient digestibility (dry matter, organic matter, and crude protein), and production performance (body weight gain and feed efficiency). The result showed that the difference in ration composition had a significant effect (P<0.05) on feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, and production performance. This study concluded that the combination of 35% fermented sugarcane shoots +14% fermented tithonia + 1% avocado waste (AW) +50% concentrate resulted in the best feed consumption, nutrient digestibility, and production performance of Kacang goat.

This study examined the fermentation duration in?relation to?the effectiveness of?tannin levels in?mangrove (Sonneratia alba) fruit during the fermentation process using Aspergillus niger. The tested durations were 7,?10, 13, and 16?days in?an...