AUTHOR=Ampapon Thiwakorn , Viennasay Bounnaxay , Matra Maharach , Totakul Pajaree , Wanapat Metha 

TITLE=Phytonutrients in Red Amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus, L.) and Feed Ratios Enhanced Rumen Fermentation Dynamics, Suppress Protozoal Population, and Methane Production

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Animal Science

VOLUME=Volume 3 - 2022

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/animal-science/articles/10.3389/fanim.2022.741543

DOI=10.3389/fanim.2022.741543

ISSN=2673-6225

ABSTRACT=The search for alternative modifiers of rumen fermentation to improve the production efficiency of livestock production is highly essential. This in vitro fermentation experiment was conducted using a factorial arrangement of two ratio of roughage to concentrate and seven levels of red amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus, L.) leaf powder (RALP) as a percentage of total substrate in a Completely randomized design (CRD). Two factors, namely factor A was two ratios of roughage (R) to concentrate (C) at 60:40 and 40:60 and factor B was level of RALP supplementation at 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12% dry matter (DM) of total dietary substrate. The results revealed that a R:C ratio at 40:60 increased rumen fermentation and reduced methane production (p<0.05) While the RALP incorporation as a feed additive was highly promising in enhancing propionate (C3) concentration, reducing acetate (C2) to (C3) ratio and protozoal population, while mitigating methane (CH4¬) production. Furthermore, dry matter degradation percentages were remarkably enhanced by increasing RALP levels and the R:C ratio at 40:60. In conclusion, plants rich in phytonutrients and minerals such as RALP and the R:C ratio of 40:60 showed essential role in modulating rumen fermentation, mitigating methane production, as well as increasing substrate dry matter degradability.