The potential of frozen rumen fluid for ruminant feed evaluation using in vitro gas production technique

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the potential of frozen rumen fluid (RF) for ruminant feed evaluation using in vitro gas production (IVGP) technique. This study used a factorial randomized block design with a 3 × 3 × 3 pattern, consisting three feeding regimes varying in forage to concentrate proportion, namely 20%:80% (feed A), 40%:60% (feed B), and 60%:40% (feed C), respectively; three storage time (2, 11, and 19 days); and RF from 3 breeds of indigenous cattle, namely Bali, crossbred Ongole and Madura cattle as groups. The results showed that the effects of feeding regimes, inoculum source, or storage time on total gas production, potential of gas production, rate of gas production, dry matter and organic matter degradability. Based on the results, it can be concluded that frozen RF may be used as inoculum source for feed evaluation using the IVGP technique and hence it supports the previous findings reported in the literature. Considering that the effects of different feeds, inoculum sources, and storage times gave the specific values, it is advisable that to use RF from slaughtered animals should be taken from the same breed to allow accurate comparison for feed evaluation using IVGP technique.