Legume is a feed ingredient that contains high protein for ruminants. The tannin content in legumes can provide a bypass protein for ruminants. This study was done to find out the effect of legume supplementation (Leucaena leucocephala) on fiber digestibility, characteristic rumen, protozoa population and methane production from total mixed ration (TMR) based on ammoniated rice straw. The study was conducted in vitro using a randomized block design with 3 treatments and 5 replications. The treatment was A. 40% ammoniated rice straw + 60% concentrate, B. 40% ammoniated rice straw + 50% concentrate + 10% L. leucocephala, C. 40% ammoniated rice straw + 40% concentrate +10, + 20% L.leucocephala.The results showed that the addition of L. leucocephala increased digestibility of NDF, ADF, and Cellulose, RUP (rumen undegradable protein) and reduced protozoa population and methane production (p <0.05). Increased doses of L.leucocephala up to 20% reduce fiber digestibility of feed substances compared to a dose of 10% but are still higher than controls. The results of this study concluded that L.leucocephala supplementation in TMR based on ammoniated rice straw in vitro improved digestibility, fermentability, and reduced methane gas production. Supplementation of 10% and 20% L. leucocephala needs further research, to see the effect on livestock in vivo.

One aim of the EC Framework V project, 'Rumen-up' (QLK5-CT-2001-00 992), was to find plants or plant extracts that would inhibit the nutritionally wasteful degradation of protein in the rumen. A total of 500 samples were screened in vitro using 14 C-labelled casein in a 30-min incubation with ruminal digesta. Eight were selected for further investigation using a batch fermentation system and soya protein and bovine serum albumin as proteolysis substrates; proteolysis was monitored over 12 h by the disappearance of soluble protein and the production of branched SCFA and NH 3 . Freeze-dried, ground foliage of Peltiphyllum peltatum, Helianthemum canum, Arbutus unedo, Arctostaphylos uva-ursi and Knautia arvensis inhibited proteolysis (P, 0·05), while Daucus carota, Clematis vitalba and Erica arborea had little effect. Inhibition by the first four samples appeared to be caused by the formation of insoluble tannin -protein complexes. The samples were rich in phenolics and inhibition was reversed by polyethyleneglycol. In contrast, K. arvensis contained low concentrations of phenolics and no tannins, had no effect in the 30-min assay, yet inhibited the degradation rate of soluble protein (by 14 %, P, 0·0001) and the production of branched SCFA (by 17 %, P , 0·05) without precipitating protein in the 12-h batch fermentation. The effects showed some resemblance to those obtained in parallel incubations containing 3 mM-monensin, suggesting that K. arvensis may be a plant-derived feed additive that can suppress growth and activity of key proteolytic ruminal micro-organisms in a manner similar to that already well known for monensin.

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