Effects of Different Levels of Rain Tree (Samanea saman) Pods in Meal Concentrate on In Vitro Fermentation by a Gas Production Technique

Abstract

The effect was studied of various levels of rain tree pods (RTPs) in meal concentrate on in vitro fermentation using a gas production technique. RTPs were used at levels of 0 (control), 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100% in the meal concentrate. The gas production was recorded at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 18, 24, 36, 48, 60, 66 and 72 hr of incubation. In vitro true digestibility (IVTD), total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs), acetate (C2), propionate (C3), butyrate (C4) and ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) were investigated. The gas production at 4 to 8 hr was significantly different (P < 0.05) among treatments. The IVTD levels in the control diet and with 20, 40 and 60% RTP levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than for the 80 and 100% levels of RTP. The C2 level in the control diet was the lowest but levels of C3 and C4 were higher than in the other groups. The level of NH3-N in the control diet and with levels of 20, 40 and 60% RTP levels were significantly higher (P < 0.05) than at the 80 and 100% RTP levels. This study revealed that RTPs could be an alternative feedstuff for ruminants and possibly replace meal concentrate up to 60% without any negative effect based on the in vitro study.