ObjectiveThis study was carried out to determine the effects of cumin essential oil on the silage fermentation, aerobic stability and in vitro digestibility of alfalfa silages.MethodsAlfalfa was harvested at early bloom (5th cutting) stage in October and wilted for about 3 hours. The research was carried out at three groups which were the control group where no additive control was done (CON), cumin essential oil (CMN3) with 300 mg/kg and CMN5 with 500 mg/kg cumin essential oil addition. Alfalfa was ensiled in plastic bags. The packages were stored at 8°C±2°C under laboratory conditions. All groups were sampled for physical, chemical and microbiological analysis 120th day after ensiling. At the end of the ensiling period, all silages were subjected to an aerobic stability test for 7 days. In addition, enzimatic solubility of organic matter (ESOM), metabolizable energy (ME), and relative feed value (RFV) of these silages were determined.ResultspH level decreased in the cumin groups compared to CON (p<0.05), thus inhibiting proteolytic enzymes from breaking down proteins into ammonia. In addition, it increased ESOM amount, and concordantly provided an increase of ME contents. Similarly, dry matter intake and RFV ratio increased. After opening the silage, it kept its aerobic stability for three days.ConclusionCumin essential oil improved fermentation, and affected chemical and microbiological characteristics of silages. Especially the addition of 300 mg/kg cumin provided cell wall fractionation through stimulating the activities of enzymes responsible. It also increased the number and activity of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) through providing a development of LAB.

Bu araştırma kekik (KK) ve tarçın (TRN) uçucu yağlarının, organik asit (OA) alternatifi olarak yem bezelyesi silajlarının fermantasyon kalitesi ve in vitro metabolik enerji (ME) içerikleri üzerine etkilerini belirlemek amacıyla yapılmıştır. Araştırmada kullanılan yem bezelyesi bakla oluşum döneminde hasat edilmiş (48 saat soldurma) ve yaklaşık 1.5-2.0 cm boyutunda parçalanmıştır. Parçalanan taze materyale 5g/kg düzeyinde organik asit, 400 mg/kg kekik uçucu yağı, 400 mg/kg tarçın uçucu yağı ve 400+400 mg/kg kekik+tarçın uçucu yağı (KKTRN), kontrol (KON) grubuna ise saf su katılmıştır. Yaklaşık 2 kg örnek plastik torbalara konularak vakumla içindeki hava alınmış ve 2-3 kat streç filmle kaplanmıştır. Silolamadan 120 gün sonra açılmıştır. Araştırmada kullanılan kekik ve tarçın uçucu yağı, yem bezelyesi silajlarının asetik asit (AA) ve Enzimde Çözünen Organik Madde (EÇOM) içeriklerini olumlu yönde etkilemiştir. Ancak, bütün sonuçlar birarada ele alınarak değerlendirildiğinde, silajların sarıldığı kat sayılarının arttırılarak çalışmanın tekrarlanmasının gerekli olduğu sonucuna varılmıştır.

No abstract

The effect of cumin essential oil on the fermentation quality, aerobic stability, and in vitro digestibility of vetch-oat silages Kimyon uçucu yağının fiğ-yulaf silajlarının fermantasyon kalitesi, aerobik stabilitesi ve in vitro sindirilebilirlik üzerine etkisi

This study was carried out to compare the fattening performance and carcass traits of Chios male lambs fed under traditional and intensive feeding conditions. In the study, a total of 34 lambs were randomly separated into traditional (T) and intensive (I) groups in equal numbers. Lambs in group T were fed on ration prepared in local style and grazed in olive grove for 8 h/day. On the other hand, lambs in group I were fed on 255 g alfalfa hay animal(-1) day(-1) and ad libitum mixed feed. After a period of 8 weeks, lambs were transported to the slaughterhouse. The results showed that Chios lambs fed under intensive conditions has better performance and produced heavier carcass compared to those fed under traditional conditions. However, consumption of concentrate feed mixture was about twice as much in group I as in group T. Total feed consumption and feed conversion ratio was similar in each group. The values of carcass traits of lambs in group I were found to be significantly higher than those of group T. On the other hand, carcass fat thickness was slightly lower in group T. Traditional condition is considered to respond to better to consumer demands for lean lamb carcass.