Effect of Sarsaponin on Ruminal Fermentation with Particular Reference to Methane Production in Vitro

Abstract

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/L) of sarsaponin on ruminal microbial methane production using the substrates soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1). Ruminal fluid was collected from a dairy cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (30 ml) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 and 24 h with or without sarsaponin. Excluding the lower level of sarsaponin, pH of the medium was slightly decreased. Ammonia-N concentration and numbers of protozoa were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Total volatile fatty acids and total gas production were increased. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate:propionate ratio. Hydrogen production was decreased. As the concentration of sarsaponin increased from 1.2 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate decreased methane production from 20 to 60% (6 h) and 17 to 50% (24 h), 21 to 58% (6 h) and 18 to 52% (24 h), and 23 to 53% (6 h) and 15 to 44% (24 h), respectively. Excluding the lower dose concentration (1.2 g/L) of sarsaponin, in vitro disappearance of dry matter of hay plus concentrate was decreased after 24 h. In conclusion, these results show that sarsaponin stimulated the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation as well as to inhibit methane production in vitro.

The influence of pomegranate-peel extracts on in vitro gas production kinetics of rumen inoculum of sheep

“…due to the inhibitory effect of phenolic compounds and saponins on protozoa, which is in agreement with previous studies (22,23). A reduced protozoa number is sometimes associated with increasing propionate (24).…”

Use of ‘natural’ products as alternatives to antibiotic feed additives in ruminant production

“…They significantly decrease ruminal NH 3 concentration and increase that of propionic acid at the expense of acetate and butyrate (Abreu et al, 2004;Santoso et al, 2004b;Hristov et al, 1999). In agreement with the stoichiometry of ruminal fermentations, they significantly decrease methane production either in vitro (Lila et al, 2003;Hu et al, 2005) or in vivo (Santoso et al, 2004a).…”

“…and alfalfa root, respectively. In vitro, the NH 3 concentration, acetate/propionate ratio, methane production and protozoa population were dose-dependently decreased by sarsaponin (Lila et al, 2003). A negative effect on DM digestibility appeared at a dose of 1.8 g/l of sarsaponin in the liquid of fermentors.…”

Bioactivity of phytochemicals in some lesser-known plants and their effects and potential applications in livestock and aquaculture production systems

“…The addition of yucca extract to a high roughage diet or to a mixed diet containing hay and barley grain did not reduce methane emission in a RUSITEC system (Ś liwiń ski et al, 2002a and 2002b). However, reduced methane emissions in an in vitro system were obtained by adding sarsaponin, extracted from yucca to a starch diet and to a mixed diet (Lila et al, 2003). Pen et al (2006) also reported a decrease in methane production by yucca extract when incubated with a roughage-based diet in an in vitro system.…”