Effect of transformed sunflower husk on enzymatic processes in the rumen <I>in vitro</I>

Abstract

Fermentation processes in the rumen of ruminants when using sunflower husk subjected to ultrasound treatment in combination with phytobiotics were studied. During the experiment, the formation of terminal metabolites in the ruminal fluid as well as the formation of methane were determined. The object of the study was the rumen fluid, which was selected from bulls of Kazakh whiteheaded breed at the age of 12 months with the average weight of 230-235 kg. Chronic rumen fistula (n = 3) was identified according to the method of A.A. Aliev. The following samples were incubated by in vitro method using the ANKOM Daisy II device (modifications D200 and D200I) according to a specialized technique: control (sample N 1): Mechanically ground husk + hydromodulus (water) + ultrasound treatment at 20 °C, 15 min, 27 kHz; sample N 2: sample N 1 + gamma-octalactone (0.25 ml); sample N 3: sample N 1 + quercetin (10.0 mg); sample N 4: sample N 1 + 7-hydroxycoumarin (2.0 mg). Each experiment was conducted in five replications. The digestibility of dry matter, concentration of volatile fatty acids, formation of nitrogenous metabolites and methane concentration were determined. The data obtained were statistically analyzed using software. New data were obtained on the effect of sunflower husk together with phytobiotics on the formation of final metabolites in the rumen fluid. The addition of biologically active substances of gamma-octalactone, quercetin, 7-hydroxycoumarin was found to increase the digestibility of dry matter relative to control by 2.0 (p ≤ 0.05), 3.1 (p ≤ 0.01) and 4.3% (p ≤ 0.05), respectively. An increase in the concentration of volatile fatty acids and nitrogenous fractions was noted when using these substances. The level of methane concentration was 10% lower than that of the control with 7-hydroxycoumarin in sample N 4 (p ≤ 0.01).