Authors : Zhi-Hua Feng, Yu-Feng Cao, Yan-Xia Gao, Qiu-Feng Li and Jian-Guo Li
Abstract: The objective of this study was to ascertain the effect of various levels of Gross Saponin of Tribulus terrestris (GSTT) supplementation at 0, 0.15, 0.30, 0.60 and 0.90 g L-1 of incubation medium on methane production and ruminal fermentation in in vitro gas production test, using 200 mg of corn meal and Chinese wildrye grass meal mixture in equal proportion as substrate in a 100 m L-1 graduated syringe. In vitro total gas production, methane concentration and production, pH, ammonia-N, Total Volatile Fatty Acids (TVFA) and protozoa counts were determined after 24 h incubation. Excluding the lower dose concentration (0.15 g L-1) of GSTT in vitro methane concentration and production was significantly decreased (p<0.05). Compared to control, addition with 0.30, 0.60, 0.90 g L-1 of GSTT reduced methane concentration and production by 23.43, 24.93, 25.30% and 26.67, 28.89, 31.11%, respectively. The protozoal counts were decreased by 27.03, 37.84, 60.36 and 72.07%, respectively at levels of 0.15, 0.30, 0.60 and 0.90 g L-1 of GSTT compared to that in control. The pH of medium was unaffected by GSTT addition. Ammonia-N concentrations decreased significantly (p<0.05) when the higher levels (0.60 and 0.90 g L-1) of GSTT were supplemented. There were no significant differences (p>0.05) in TVFA concentrations among levels of GSTT addition. Molar proportion of acetate and butyrate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding reduction in acetate:propionate ratio. In conclusion, these results showed that GSTT has a potential to be used as a feed additive to suppress methane emission.
Zhi-Hua Feng, Yu-Feng Cao, Yan-Xia Gao, Qiu-Feng Li and Jian-Guo Li, 2012. Effect of Gross Saponin of Tribulus terrestris on Ruminal Fermentation and Methane Production in vitro. Journal of Animal and Veterinary Advances, 11: 2121-2125.