Work

In vitro fermentation characteristics, microbial changes and gas production of microencapsulated phytonutrient pellets at varying dietary crude protein levels

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: The objective of this study was to investigate the influence of crude protein (CP) levels combined with the supplementation of a microencapsulated phytonutrients pellet made from a mixture of lemongrass and dragon fruit peel (MiEn-LEDRAGON) on gas production, degradability, fermentation characteristics, and microbial diversity using the in vitro gas technique. A 4 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD) was used in this study, with four levels of CP in the concentrate diet (10, 12, 14, and 16% dry matter; DM) combined with two levels of MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation (0 and 3% in the total DM substrate). The results of this study demonstrated that there were no interaction effects between CP levels and MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation on gas production, degradability, fermentation characteristics, end-product formation, or microbial dynamics ( p > 0.05). Additionally, increasing CP levels in the concentrate diet had no effect on cumulative gas production, gas kinetics, in vitro degradability, volatile fatty acids (VFA), or methane (CH 4 ) production ( p > 0.05), but it did enhance in vitro pH and ammonia-nitrogen (NH 3 -N), as well as increase the number of Fibrobacter succinogenes at 24 h (h) of incubation time ( p < 0.05). Meanwhile, the study revealed higher cumulative gas production, degradability, NH 3 -N, pH values, total VFA at 24 h of incubation, proportions of propionate (C3) at 12 and 24 h of incubation, and butyrate (C4) at 12 h of incubation, as well as increased numbers of F. succinogenes , Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens , and Butyrivibrio proteoclasticus at 12 h of incubation when supplemented with 3% MiEn-LEDRAGON in the total DM substrate ( p < 0.05). It also decreased the proportion of acetate (C2), CH 4 production, and the populations of methanogens ( Methanobacteriales ) and Ruminococcus species ( Ruminococcus albus and Ruminococcus flavefaciens ) ( p < 0.05). In summary, this study found that increasing CP levels in the concentrate diet did not negatively affect gas production, fermentation characteristics, end-product formation, or microbial dynamics. Moreover, MiEn-LEDRAGON supplementation could serve as an effective rumen-enhancing feed additive rich in phytonutrients for ruminants while also mitigating ruminal CH 4 production.

Source: Scientific Reports

DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-95748-7