Rumen adaptation of swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) by high level of urea supplementation when fed on rice straw-based diet

Abstract

Four rumen-fistulated swamp buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis) were randomly allocated to investigate rumen adaptation of urea on feed intake, nutrient digestibility, fermentation efficiency, and microbial protein synthesis. Buffaloes were fed with rice straw ad libitum for a period of 2 weeks and then were shifted to a step-up diet regimen by supplementation of concentrate containing 20 and 40 g/kg urea at 5 g/kg BW for a period of 2 and 4 weeks, respectively. The results revealed that feed intake and nutrient digestibility were increased by urea supplementation (P < 0.05) both at two and four period of consumption. However, ruminal pH, temperature, and protozoal population were neither affected by urea nor adaptation period (P > 0.05) while bacterial and fungal zoospores were increased especially at 40 g/kg urea. Data from real-time PCR further showed that total bacteria and the three predominant cellulolytic bacteria (Ruminococcus albus, Fibrobacter succinogenes, Ruminococcus flavefaciens) were increased by urea supplementation both at 2 and 4 weeks of urea feeding. Furthermore, methane production was similar among treatments while microbial protein synthesis was enhanced when buffaloes were fed with urea after a period of 2 weeks especially at 40 g/kg urea (P < 0.05). It can be concluded that urea supplementation could increase feed intake, nutrient digestibility, microbial protein synthesis, and fermentation efficiency of swamp buffaloes fed on rice straw. It is suggested that buffaloes could adapt well and utilize urea as a N source effectively within a period of 2 weeks uptake without adverse effect.

Partial characterization of phylogeny, ecology and function of the fibrolytic bacterium Ruminococcus flavefaciens OS14, newly isolated from the rumen of swamp buffalo

“…Also, as indicated by Kobayashi (2006), other potential applications of this anaerobic bacterium include its use as a source strain of enzymes and enzyme modules for bioindustry or in biogas reactors. Swamp buffalo have been described as having potent rumen function (Wanapat et al 2016), and therefore might host capable microbes. However, the ruminal abundance of such functional bacteria including OS14 may fluctuate between different animals and feeding regimes.…”

“…Swamp buffalo have been described as having potent rumen function (Wanapat et al . ), and therefore might host capable microbes. However, the ruminal abundance of such functional bacteria including OS14 may fluctuate between different animals and feeding regimes.…”

“…Swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has been attractive as a multipurpose animal for draft power and a source of dairy products and meat, especially in Southeast Asia (Devendra 2007). Previous studies under similar conditions indicated that growth performance and feed digestibility in buffalo were superior to cattle and more notably when low-quality fibrous diets, especially crop residues, were fed (Granum et al 2007;Wanapat & Rowlinson 2007;Khejornsart et al 2011;Jabari et al 2014;Wanapat et al 2016).…”

PENGARUH METODE PENGOLAHAN DAN WAKTU PEMERAMAN TERHADAP KUALITAS NUTRISI PELEPAH SAWIT SEBAGAI BAHAN PAKAN TERNAK KERBAU RAWA (Buffelus asiaticus)

“…Kerbau Rawa di Indonesia tersebar di pulau Sumatera dan Kalimantan. Ternak ini selain berfungsi sebagai sumber pangan juga sebagai pekerja dan ternak yang dapat mengkonsumsi pakan dengan kualitas rendah (Ali et al, 2013;Wanapat et al, 2016).…”

Effect of high and low roughage total mixed ration diets on rumen metabolites and enzymatic profiles in crossbred cattle and buffaloes

“…Swamp buffaloes are more efficient than cattle in many aspects, namely, nitrogen (N)-recycling and fiber digestion, ruminal ammonia nitrogen (NH 3 -N) level in relation to efficient fermentation and intake [1,15-17]. High grain diet and or the little addition of soluble carbohydrate results in shift of fermentation pattern, lowered ruminal pH, and few protozoa may be eliminated or inhibited [18].…”