The major purpose of this study was to determine how varying doses of algae-derived pure β–glucan affected in vitro gas generation, volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentrations, methane production, and protozoa populations. Different doses of β–glucan [i.e., 0, 50, 100, 150, and 200 mg/kg feed (DM basis)] were applied to corn silage as experimental treatments. After 6–96 hours of incubation, the dose of 200 mg/kg of DM β–glucan reduced total gas production compared to control (P<0.01). The concentration of total VFA decreased quadratically (P<0.01) as the amount of β–glucan inclusion decreased (except for 200 mg/kg DM) when compared to the control group. The total VFA concentration was found to be the lowest (P<0.01) at 50, 100, and 150 mg/kg DM β–glucan than the other doses. Propionate and butyrate concentrations increased linearly (P<0.01) in the β–glucan supplemented groups, except for the 50 mg/kg DM dosage. When compared to the control group, all doses of β–glucans lowered acetate and the acetate: propionate ratio linearly and quadratically (P<0.01). The addition of β–glucans reduced the number of protozoa linearly (except at the lowest dose) and reduced the methane generation linearly and quadratically (P<0.01). The concentration of NH3-N did not differ (Linear, P=0.12; Quadratic, P=0.19) between treatments. The key findings were that β–glucan acted as a rumen modulator, and levels of more than 50 mg/kg of feed DM functioned as a potential methane regulator in the rumen due to reduced acetate and acetate to propionate ratio.
This study was carried out after the animal experiment was approved by Bursa Uludağ University Local Ethics Committee (Decision number: 2021-15/04, Approval date: 30.11.2021).
Primary Language | English |
---|---|
Subjects | Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology |
Journal Section | Research Article |
Authors | |
Publication Date | September 29, 2023 |
Published in Issue | Year 2023Volume: 70 Issue: 4 |