Comparing the Effects of a Pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) Bark Extract with a Quebracho (Schinopsis balansae Engl.) Extract on Methane Production and In Vitro Rumen Fermentation Parameters

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the effects of a pine (Pinus radiata D. Don) bark extract (PBE) with a quebracho (Schinopsis balansae Engl.) extract (QTE) on methane (CH4) production and in vitro rumen fermentation parameters. A forage diet supplemented with PBE or QTE (0, 2 and 4% dry matter (DM) basis) was incubated for 24 h to determine in vitro DM disappearance (IVDMD), CH4, volatile fatty acids (VFA), and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) production. Differences were analyzed using Tukey’s test, orthogonal contrasts, hierarchical clustering heatmap (HCH), and principal component analysis (PCA). Both extracts (4% DM) decreased butyrate (Bu; p = 0.001), CH4 (p = 0.005), total VFA (p < 0.001), and NH3-N (p = 0.006) production and increased acetate (Ac; p = 0.003) without affecting the partitioning factor (p = 0.095). Propionate (Pr; p = 0.016) was increased, whereas IVDMD (p = 0.041) was decreased with QTE (4% DM). The inclusion of QTE (2% DM) decreased CH4 production (p = 0.005) and the (Ac + Bu)/Pr ratio (p = 0.003), whereas PBE (2% DM) decreased the NH3-N (p = 0.006) and total VFA production (p < 0.001). The HCH and PCA indicate a negative correlation (r = −0.93; p < 0.001) between CH4 production and tannins. In conclusion, PBE shares many of the effects generated by QTE on ruminal fermentation, although the magnitude of these effects depends on concentration. The PBE could be used as an additive in ruminant diets to reduce CH4 and NH3-N production without reducing IVDMD or increasing propionate, but further in vivo studies are required to clarify its effects on animal production.

Toward Modeling the In Vitro Gas Production Process by Using Propolis Extract Oil Treatment: Machine Learning and Kinetic Models

“…One of the most widely conducted experiments for animal feed is the gas production procedure, the results of which indicate the optimal use of the studied feed in vitro conditions. 17,27 In addition, the use of mathematical models can provide accurate predictions and further save time by testing the best model with high accuracy and low error. Nonlinear regression (NLR) can be a good solution to this problem.…”

“…12−14 Following the ban on the use of antibiotics by some countries, further studies have been conducted on medicinal plants, essential oil methods, and the extraction of certain medicinal materials for animal health. 15 Various biomass wastes are utilized to evaluate in vitro digestibility such as pine, 17 bamboo grass, 18 rice straw, 15 cottonseed, 1 date palm kernel, 19 cinnamon, 20 rapeseed meal, 21 and sunflower seeds. 22 Bees convert plant gum and sap into propolis as a byproduct during the salivary−enzymatic process.…”

“…Various biomass wastes are utilized to evaluate in vitro digestibility such as pine, bamboo grass, rice straw, cottonseed, date palm kernel, cinnamon, rapeseed meal, and sunflower seeds . Bees convert plant gum and sap into propolis as a byproduct during the salivary–enzymatic process.…”

“…Recently, in vitro techniques have been applied to estimate the quality of animal feed and reduce costs associated with in vitro methods. One of the most widely conducted experiments for animal feed is the gas production procedure, the results of which indicate the optimal use of the studied feed in vitro conditions. , …”