Feed Evaluation based on Gas Production of Twelve Tropical Feedstuffs

Abstract

This study was conducted to determined the chemical composition and production of gas by fermentation in the rumen of twelve tropical feedstuffs commonly utilized which are fodder trees and shrub species, namely red flower turi (Sesbania grandiflora L) leaves and stems skin, white flower turi (Sesbania grandiflora) leaves and stems skin, leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala) leaves, Calliandra (Calliandra calothyrsus) leaves, ketapang (Terminalia catappa L.) leaves, walnut (Canarium indicum L.) leaves, teh-tehan (Duranta repens) leaves, tea (Camellia sinensis) leaves, bamboo (Bambusa arundinacea) leaves, and mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) leaves. Measurement of gas production was performed by in vitro at 2, 4, 8, 18, 30, 48, 72 h of incubation. Tannin activity was measured in each sample at the time of measurement of gas production by dividing into two groups: the one with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and the other one without PEG. Result showed that the Crude protein (CP) of the samples studied ranged from 11.33 - 32.42% the lowest was found in mahagony (Swietenia mahagoni) leaf and highest was obtained in sesbania grandiflora (red flower). The content of fiber (CF) ranged from 10.31 to 32.58%. While the total tannins showed ranging from 0.22 to 12.07%, the lowest total tannin concentration was found in sesbania grandiflora (white flower) stems skin of 0.22% and the highest obtained at Terminalia catappa L is 12.07%. Measurement of gas production in vitro shows that In all samples, gas production increased when PEG was given. Based on tannin activities measurement in present study, the use of PEG improved rumen microbial degradation. The measurements of tannin content showed that condensed tannins were varied from 0.05% (DM) in white Turi stem to 3.34 % (DM) in Mahogany leaves.