This experiment was conducted to assess the effect of Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf pellet (CHYP) on rumen fermentation, nutrients digestibility and microbial protein synthesis in growing crossbred bulls. Four animals, with an average liveweight of 160 ± 10 kg were randomly arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. There were four treatments: 0, 4, 6 and 8% CHYP supplementation of DMI. The study findings showed that increasing supplementation level of CHYP linearly enhanced (p < 0.05) DM, OM, and CP digestibilities. Rumen characteristics, namely NH₃–N concentration and bacterial population were increased (p < 0.05) while, protozoal and fungal population remained unchanged, as level of CHYP supplementation increased. Total rumen volatile fatty acids (VFA) and propionic acid (C₃) were enhanced (p < 0.05). Furthermore, N utilisation especially N absorption, N retention and efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) were significantly improved by increasing level of CHYP supplementation. Hence, CHYP supplementation is highly promising for ruminant feeding.

This research aimed to investigate bioaccessibility of garlic oil extract (GOE) and riceberry rice bran oil extract (RBRBOE) and to enhance the stability and delivery of plant-derived essential oils. Two EOs were used to formulate through encapsulation techniques of microencapsulated black soldier fly (BSF) protein with a GOE matrix, (mBSF-GOE), and a nanoemulsified RBRBOE, (nRBRBOE). A completely randomized design was used for the treatments, with various ratios of feed additives between the mBSF-GOE and nRBRBOE supplementations at 0:0, 6:0, 4:2, 2:4, and 0:6 mg in diet, with the R: C ratio at 60:40 using in vitro gas study. The combination of mBSF-GOE and nRBRBOE at 4:2 mg for 12 and 24 h after fermentation had a significant impact on several factors (p < 0.01, < 0.05), including gas kinetics, cumulative gas production (96 h), in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD), and ruminal fermentation products. Specifically, the levels of propionate (C3) and total VFAs went up, while ruminal methane (CH4) production decreased by 48.2%. Subsequently, there was no negative effect (p > 0.05) on the ruminal pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) concentration, or the dynamics of the rumen microbiota population, while significantly decreasing the methanogen population in terms of Methanobacteriales (up to 3.3% after 24 h) (p < 0.01). Based on this study, it could be concluded that the supplementation of mBSF-GOE combined with nRBRBOE-based bioactive components could potentially be used as a ruminant feed enhancer to enhance fermentation efficiency and as technological feed additive substances to inhibit the methanogen population while mitigating CH4 production.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of microencapsulated bioactive compounds from lemongrass mixed dragon fruit peel pellet (MiEn-LEDRAGON) supplementation on fermentation characteristics, nutrient degradability, methane production, and the microbial diversity using in vitro gas production technique. The study was carried out using a completely randomized design (CRD) with five levels of MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation at 0, 1, 2, 3, and 4% of the total dry matter (DM) substrate. Supplementation of MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet at levels of 3 or 4% DM resulted in increased (p < 0.05) cumulative gas production at 96 hours (h) of incubation time, reaching up to 84.842 ml/ 0.5 g DM. Furthermore, supplementation with 3% MiEn-LEDRAGON resulted in higher in vitro nutrient degradability and ammonia–nitrogen concentration at 24 h of the incubation time when compared to the control group (without supplementation) by 5.401% and 11.268%, respectively (p < 0.05). Additionally, supplementation with MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet led to an increase in the population of Fibrobacter succinogenes at 24 h and Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens at 12 h, while decreasing the population of Ruminococcus albus, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Methanobacteriales (p < 0.05). Moreover, supplementation of MiEn-LEDRAGON in the diet at levels of 2 to 4% DM resulted in a higher total volatile fatty acids (VFA) at 24 h, reaching up to 73.021 mmol/L (p < 0.05). Additionally, there was an increased proportion of propionic acid (C3) and butyric acid (C4) at 12 h (p < 0.05). Simultaneously, there was a decrease in the proportion of acetic acid (C2) and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid (C2:C3), along with a reduction of methane (CH₄) production by 11.694% when comparing to the 0% and 3% MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation (p < 0.05). In conclusion, this study suggests that supplementing MiEn-LEDRAGON at 3% of total DM substrate could be used as a feed additive rich in phytonutrients for ruminants.

Objective: Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf has been found to be an important source of protein, vitamins, minerals, as well as phytonutrients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Chaya leaf pellet (CHYP) with various level of crude protein (CP) in the concentrate on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability in in vitro gas production technique.Methods: In an in vitro rumen fermentation study the dietary treatments were arranged according to a 3×5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, consisting of Factor A: three levels of CP of concentrate mixtures (14%, 16%, and 18% CP, respectively) and Factor B: five levels of CHYP supplementation (at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of dry matter substrates).Results: The gas production kinetics, fraction (a) and fraction (b) were lower (p<0.05) with an increasing CHYP addition. Additionally, the fraction (a+b) was found to yield a significant interaction (p<0.05) while the fraction (c) was not impacted by CHYP addition. However, in vitro DM degradability was enhanced and interactive (p<0.05), using 16% CP of concentrate with 6% and 8% CHYP, when compared with 18% CP in the non-addition. Additionally, the treatment with higher CP of the concentrate was higher in NH3-N concentration (p<0.001) and by CHYP supplementation group (p<0.05). Nevertheless, protozoal counts in the rumen were remarkably decreased (p<0.05) with increasing level of CHYP supplementation. Furthermore, rumen C2 concentration was lower (p<0.05) in the treatments with CHYP supplementation, while C3 was significantly increased and interactive (p<0.05) between levels of CP and CHYP supplementation especially at 8% CHYP supplementation.Conclusion: Based on this study, the results revealed CHYP as a promising feed supplement to enhance rumen fermentation and to mitigate methane production. However, in vivo feeding experiments should be subsequently conducted to elucidate the effect of CHYP supplementation on rumen fermentation, as well as ruminant production efficiency.

Objective: Tropical plants are composed of phytonutrients (PTNs) and are utilized for their capacity to manipulate rumen fermentation characteristics and methane production. The aim of this experiment was to determine the impact of microencapsulated PTNs-extracted from lemongrass and mangosteen peel (M-LEMANGOS), as well as crude protein (CP) levels on nutrient degradability, rumen ecology, microbial population, and methane emission in an in vitro study.Methods: The treatments were randomly assigned in a 2×4 Factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The two factors consisted of CP percentage in the concentrate diet (16% and 18% CP) and the levels of M-LEMANGOS addition (0%, 2%, 4%, and 6% of the total substrate).Results: The results showed that nutrient degradability both 12 and 24 h were significantly increased with M-LEMANGOS at 4% total substate. In part of volatile fatty acids (VFAs), particularly propionate and total VFA, these were enhanced by %CP and M-LEMANGOS combination. The %CP increased ruminal ammonia-nitrogen concentration (NH3-N), while M-LEMANGOS supplementation reduced such concentration. Methane production and Methanobacteriales population at 12 and 24 h were reduced when supplemented with M-LEMANGOS at 4% total substate. The population of Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens, and Megasphaera elsdenii were increased with the interaction between %CP and M-LEMANGOS addition.Conclusion: M-LEMANGOS indicates promising potential as a plant-based PTN for dietary modulation of rumen fermentation and mitigation of methane production.