The effect of Ketepeng Cina leaf (Cassia alata L), as a source of anthraquinone, methanogenesis inhibitor agent on rumen microbial protein synthesis for beef cattle in Sedyo Rukun Farmer Group

Abstract

Ketepeng Cina leaf meal (Cassia alata L), a source of anthraquinone has been tested in the  previous  experiment,  as  an  agent  with  ability  to  reduce  methane  production  in  cellulolytic fermentation by rumen microbes. The present experiments were conducted in the farm belong to the farmer  group  of  Sedyo  Rukun,  Berbah,  Sleman,Yogyakarta.  Ten  male  Ongole  crossed  cattle  were used in this experiment to  evaluate the effect of Ketepeng Cina leaf on the rumen  microbial protein synthesis.  The  experiment  contained  4  feeding  periods.  In  the  first  period,  cattle  were  fed  as  usual, without Ketepeng Cina leaf addition as a control treatment. In the second period, cattle were fed with addition of Ketepeng Cina leaf equal to 5 ppm antraquinone, based on rumen volume during 10 days for feeding trial adaptation and continued for 7 days feeding trial. The experiment was continued by Period  III  and  Period  IV  which  began  two  weeks  and  four  weeks  after  the  end  of  period  when  the animals  were  treated  by Ketepeng  Cina leaf  addition.  In  the  third  and  fourth  period,  the  animals received  ordinary  diet  as  in  the  first  period.  In  each  period,  urine  was  collected  by  spot  sampling methods  for  7  days.  Urine  samples  were  analysed for  purine  derivatives  content  including  allantoin and  uric  acid.  Samples  of  feedstuff,  refusal  feed  and  feces  were  collected  daily,  for  dry  matter  and organic  matter  analysis.  The  result  showed  that  microbial  protein  synthesis,  which  was  estimated based on the purine derivatives excretion tended to increase as an effect of Ketepeng Cina leaf (from 18,24  to  21,93  g/day).  After  4  weeks  of Ketepeng  Cina leaf  addition,  microbial  protein  synthesis return to the initial condition. It could be concluded that Ketepeng Cina leaf which has a high potency for methanogenesis inhibitor, were recommended as a feed additive to increase feed efficiency.