Effect of combined herbal feed additives on methane, total gas production and rumen fermentation

Abstract

The present study was to evaluate effect of herbal feed additives on methane and total gas production during the rumen fermentation for environment and animal health concern. Different parts of the five medicinal plants were selected such as leaf and small stems of Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), roots of Curcuma longa (Haldi), fruits of Emblica officinalis (Amla), leaves of Azadirachta indica (Neem) and leaves and small stem of Clerodendrum phlomidis (Arni) for our study. Addition of different herbal additive combinations did not influence IVDMD and total gas production however methane production (mg/g of substrate DM) was significantly (P<0.05) reduced in Amla: Neem and Neem: Arni combinations. Total nitrogen significantly (P<0.01) increased in the combinations of Tulsi: Haldi and Amla: Neem. TCA–ppt-N is significantly (P<0.01) increased in Tulsi: Haldi, Haldi: Amla, Amla: Neem and Neem: Arni however NH3-N (mg/dl) significantly decreased in all treatments. We conclude that the screening of plant combinations, Amla: Neem and Neem: Arni have potential to decrease methane production and our herbal feed supplements have no side-effects on the ruminant in small amount.

Cistanche deserticola Addition Improves Growth, Digestibility, and Metabolism of Sheep Fed on Fresh Forage from Alfalfa/Tall Fescue Pasture

“…Regarding environment and animal health, the effect of functional herbs on methane production during rumen fermentation has been interestingly evaluated. For example, the lateral branches of Clerodendrum phlomidis have the potential to decrease CH 4 production with no side-effect on the ruminant health and production [9]. Saponins in some plant species were found to inhibit or suppress protozoa in the rumen and thus reduce ammonia and methane production [10].…”

Influence of partial substitution of Berseem hay with Sesbania hay on the performance of Ossimi ewes and their offspring post-lambing

“…Although the inclusion of SH may have a limited adverse effect on daily milk yield (from 374.94 to 413.88 g) where these differences among experimental groups may be related to that Sesban hay contains phenolic compounds such as tannins and saponin (Goel and Makkar, 2012; Chaturvedi et al 2015), which may lower CH4 production with increasing levels of SH. Phenolics, including tannins which can be mitigate CH4 production by directly inhibiting methanogenesis and protozoa and reducing fiber degradation (Patra et al, 2012;Patra, 2016).…”

The Potential Pharmacological and Medicinal Properties of Neem (Azadirachta indica A. Juss) in the Drug Development of Phytomedicine

“…Neem seed oil produces toxic effect in humans in several isolated cases and this intoxication by humans produces vomiting, acidosis, diarrhea, nausea, and encephalopathy [4,70]. These toxic effects might be due to the presence of aflatoxin and other toxic compounds found in neem oil [81]. Mechanistic investigations indicate that neem oil uncouples mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation, thus inhibiting the respiratory chain [9,13].…”

“…Various preclinical studies have been reported on the safety evaluation of different parts of neem as well as its various biologically active products [5,13,81].…”

“…Neem is a promising, safe and environmental friendly for most adults when taken by mouth for a short period of time but if taken in large doses or for long periods of time might be unsafe and with potential to cause damage to the kidneys and liver ( nephrotoxic and hepatotoxic [81].…”