Pomegranate seed oil rich in conjugated linolenic acids reduces in vitro methane production

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.) seed oil (PSO) on gas and methane (CH4) production, ruminal fermentation and microbial populations under in vitro conditions. Three treatments consisting of a control diet containing 10 mg tallow (CON); the control diet with 5 mg PSO + 5 mg tallow (MPSO) and the control diet containing 10 mg PSO (HPSO) were compared. Ten mg of the experimental fat/oil samples were inserted into a gas-tight 100 mL plastic syringe containing 30 mL of an incubation inoculum and 250 mg of a basic substrate of a hay/concentrate (1/1, w/w) mixture. In vitro gas production was recorded over 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h of incubation. After 24 hours, incubation was stopped, and methane production, pH, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) and microbial counts were measured in the inoculant. Gas production at 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 24 h incubation, metabolizable energy and in vitro organic matter disappearance increased linearly and quadratically as level of PSO increased. Furthermore, the 10 mg PSO (HPSO) decreased CH4 production by 21.0% compared with the control (CON) group. There were no significant differences in total and individual VFA concentrations between different levels of PSO, except for butyric acid. After 24 h of incubation, methanogenesis decreased in the HPSO compared with the MPSO and CON treatments. In addition, total bacteria and protozoa counts increased with rising PSO levels, while population methanogenesis declined significantly. These results suggested that PSO could reduce methane emissions, which might be beneficial to nutrient utilization and growth in ruminants.

In vitro rumen fermentation pattern: insights from concentrate level and plant oil supplement

“…In contrast to our experiment, the addition of 6 % olive, sunflower or linseed oil to high concentrate diets did not significantly affect the number of ciliate protozoa (Vargas et al, 2020). Pomegranate oil increased the number of protozoa under in vitro conditions (Maleki et al, 2016). Pomegranate oil is a rich source of punicic acid, which is an isomer of linolenic acid.…”

“…On the other hand, addition of 5 or 10 mg pomegranate oil to alfalfa hay and concentrate reduced total in vitro gas production (Maleki et al, 2016), and oleic acid (35 and 70 g kg −1 of substrate dry matter) decreased in vitro gas production in the diet containing rye and cornmeal (Zhang et al, 2008). This decrease could be associated with the suppression of density and activity of rumen bacteria by dietary UFA supplementation, particularly the cellulose-utilizing bacteria (Palmquist and Jenkins, 1980).…”

Effects of wheat bran replacement with pomegranate seed pulp on rumen fermentation, gas production, methanogen and protozoa populations of camel and goat rumen using competitive PCR technique: An in vitro study

“…(2021) and Maleki et al. (2016), who reported that pomegranate by‐products might be an option for methane‐mitigating feed supplements, which might be beneficial to nutrient utilization and growth in ruminants.…”

“…Abarghuei et al (2014) and Rajabi et al (2017) suggested that PPE supplementation has reduced total protozoa enumeration. Maleki et al (2016) indicated that total bacteria and protozoa counts increased with rising PSO levels, whereas the methanogen population declined significantly.…”

Effects of wheat bran replacement with Pomegranate Seed Pulp on rumen fermentation, gas production, Methanogen and Protozoa population of camel and goat rumen using competitive PCR technique: An in Vitro Study

“…Similarly, a report has proven that the concentration of total VFA and molar proportion of individual VFAs were not affected by the inclusion of Pomegranate Peel Extract in the diet(Abarghuei et al, 2013).Due to adding a pomegranate by-product, Jami et al (2012) observed an increase in abundance in Lactic acid bacteria and methanogen archaea community, moreover a decrease in abundance in main cellulolytic bacterial species Abarghuei et al, (2014). andRajabi et al, (2017) suggested that PPE supplementation has reduced total protozoa enumeration Maleki et al, (2016). indicated that total bacteria and protozoa counts increased with rising PSO levels, while the methanogens population declined signi cantly.…”