Affiliation:
1. Kayseri yem Fabrikası
2. ERCİYES ÜNİVERSİTESİ, VETERİNER FAKÜLTESİ
3. ISPARTA UYGULAMALI BİLİMLER ÜNİVERSİTESİ
4. ERCİYES ÜNİVERSİTESİ
Abstract
This study aimed to determine the effects of DL-malic acid supplementation in beef cattle rations containing
high concentrated feed and dry forage (alfalfa hay and wheat straw) on fattening performance, carcass traits and ru-
men parameters. In present study, 47 male beef cattle (19 Simmental, 28 Limousine) at the age of 14-16 months were
used. Cattle breeds were divided into two groups (0 and 30 g/day of DL-malic acid). In the present study, the differ-
ences in live weights, daily live weight gains and carcass weights of the control and DL-malic acid groups were found
to be significant in Simmental breed (P<0.05), but insignificant in Limousine breed. The beef cattle body measurements
(withers height, chest girth, rump height, body length) did not change with malic acid supplementation (P>0.05).The
malic acid addition increased the molarities of acetic, butyric, propionic and total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and acetic
acid/ propionic acid ratio in the rumen fluid (P<0.05).The addition of malic acid had no significant effect on the number
of ciliated protozoa (Entodinium, Diplodinium, Isotricha and Dasytricha) and total bacteria count in the rumen fluid
(P>0.05). As a result, DL-malic acid supplementation to beef cattle ration varied with cattle breeds in terms of fattening
performance, while such supplementations had positive effect on fattening in Simmental breed. Besides, the increase
in TVFA and acetic, propionic and butyric acids, which are indicators of fiber and carbohydrate fermentation efficiency
in the rumen, shows that malic acid has a positive effect on feed digestion in the rumen.
Subject
General Earth and Planetary Sciences,General Engineering,General Environmental Science
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