EFFECT SAPONIN FROM BI OPH Y T UM PE T ERSIAN UM KLOTZSCH EXTRACT ON RUMINAL FERMENTATION CHARACTERISTICS IN GOATS

Abstract

Four Kacang goats with an initial body weight (BW) of 20.25 i 2.78 kg were used in a
4 >< 4 Latin square design to determine effect of Biophytum petersianum Klotzsch
saponin on ruminal pH, ammonia-N and volatile fatty acids (VFA) patterns, and protozoa number. The goats were fed twice daily (08.00 and 16.00 h) with a basal diet consisting of elephant grass silage and a concentrate (70:30 on a dry matter basis). Dietary treatments were basal diet (A), basal diet + 13 mg of saponin/kg BW (B), basal diet + 19 mg of saponin/kg BW (C), basal diet + 26 mg of saponin/kg BW (D). Biophylum extract was administered orally in amounts of 0, 160, 239 and 319 ml daily, corresponding to 0, 13, 19.5 and 26 mg of saponin/kg BW. Results showed that goats fed B, C and D diets had lower (P<0.05) rumen ammonia-N concentrations compared to the A diet. The pH values ranged from 6.91 to 7.06 and were higher (P<0.05) in sheep fed supplemented diets (B, C, and D) versus those fed control diet (A). Total VFA concentration, and molar proportions of butyrate, valerate and iso-acids were similar (P>0.05) among saponin treatments. Protozoa number was numerically lower (P>0.05) for B, C and D diets versus the control diet. Results indicate that Biophytum petersianum Klotzsch can be used to modify rumen fermentation in order to decrease both ruminal ammonia concentration and protozoa number, thereby increasing microbial protein flow to the intestine.