This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of chihua pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma) residue in ruminal digestibility and gas production in an in vitro assay. Four treatments were evaluated: a control using a standard diet for ruminants elaborated with corn stover, corn grain and soybean meal, and three experimental diets with 10, 20 and 30% dry residue of chihua pumpkin instead of corn stover. Dry matter digestibility and gas production was determined at 24 h of incubation in ruminal fluid obtained from two Holstein cows with a ruminal cannula. Randomized block experimental design was used as and a comparison of means was performed by the Tukey test. The results indicated that dry matter digestibility was significantly increased (P ≤ 0.05), while gas production tended to decrease (P≤0.1) with the addition of residue of chihua pumpkin. Under the conditions of this study, it was concluded that the residue of chihua pumpkin could be an environmentally friendly and ecological alternative for feeding ruminants that can be incorporated into the diet as much as 30% of the ration. However, this study was limited to an in vitro assay; in vivo studies are necessary to evaluate the potential of chihua pumpkin´s residue in the productive performance of ruminants. It would also be appropriate to evaluate the intake behavior, productive performance and nutritional status of animals fed with different forms of processed residue of chihua pumpkin.A key issue for sustainable development of animal production is the efficient use of resources, using feedstuffs that do not compete with human and reducing waste (Wadhwa and Bakshi, 2013). This coupled with the high cost of grains and an increasing demand for meat and milk for human consumption, makes it necessary to search for new alternatives for feeding livestock that positively affect health and productive performance of animals, while reducing production costs. Thus the waste of fruits and vegetables is an ecological and economically viable option to fulfill this purpose. Every year a lot of this waste is generated worldwide and Mexico is no exception. One example is the crop residue of chihua pumpkin (Cucurbita argyrosperma) (ChP). According to the SIAP (2015), in 2014 37,872 hectares of chihua pumpkin were harvested for its seeds in México, generating about 644,000 tons of fresh waste. Seeds of chihua pumpkin have high commercial and economic value, while the rest of the
<p><strong>Background.</strong> Tannins, as polyphenolic secondary metabolites of plants, are attributed both beneficial and adverse functions when they are consumed by animals, effects that depend on the chemical structure and the concentration used. Among the beneficial properties of tannins, their ability to modulate the ruminal microbiota has been observed, reducing the populations of methanogens and methane (CH<sub>4</sub>) emissions. In addition, effects of tannins have been observed on the performance of ruminants, attributable to tannins or the by-products of their degradation. <strong>Objective.</strong> Compile and analyze available information about the properties of tannins, their use in ruminant feeding, their effects on ruminal microorganisms, and the results obtained in the mitigation of CH<sub>4</sub>. <strong>Methodology.</strong> A literature review was made through databases available on the web such as NCBI, ELSEVIER, Google Scholar, Oxford Academic, as well as information available in books. <strong>Main findings</strong>. In the present review, information was collected on the characteristics and properties of condensed tannins (TC) and hydrolyzable tannins (TH), their effects and adaptations in the populations of ruminal microorganisms, in addition to the effects of tannins on the metabolism of ruminants. <strong>Implications</strong>. The dose and source of tannins in the ruminant diet are decisive in the results obtained in terms of CH<sub>4</sub> emissions and animal response. Performance will depend on the tolerance of the animal species to the effects of each type of tannin consumed. <strong>Conclusion.</strong> A better understanding of the properties, the effects on the microbiota and on the animal metabolism, could help in the implementation of more appropriate strategies for the use of forages that can contribute to the reductions in CH<sub>4</sub> emissions, with a balanced approach with the production and animal welfare.</p>
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