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Lookup NU author(s): Mehedi Khan, Dr Abdul ChaudhryORCiD
Spices can be used as novel supplements to enhance the utilization of low quality forages (LQF) and reduce nutrient wastage by ruminant animals However, it is essential to characterize these spices alongside LQF before testing their potential use as supplements in ruminant diets This study characterized four spices (cinnamon, cumin, clove and turmeric) alongside three forages (rice straw, wheat straw and hay) for their chemical components before evaluating their effect at four different doses (0, 10, 30 and 90 mg/g forage DM) on the in vitro rumen degradability of dry matter (DM) (IVD) and organic matter (OM) (IVOMD) of these forages at various incubation times It appeared that some spices could provide complementary nutrients which could improve the utilization of LQF where hay had better chemical composition than the other two forages Cumin contained more crude protein (CP), ether extract and mineral contents whereas turmeric contained more soluble sugars than the other spices Cinnamon was least acceptable as a ruminant supplement due to its higher condensed tannin and saponin and lower CP and mineral contents The IVD and IVOMD were highest for hay and lowest for wheat straw with all spices at all incubation times (p<0 001) Due to relatively better nutrient profiles, cumin and turmeric had greater effect on IVD and IVOMD of the forages In contrast, cinnamon had negative effects on IVD and IVOMD IVD and IVOMD were greater at 10 mg/g than at other levels of most spices suggesting that using certain amounts of spices can increase forage degradability However, the choice of a spice will depend upon the forage type being offered to ruminants. Further studies will examine the effect of these spices on fermentation profile, methane production and nitrogenous loss by ruminants
Author(s): Khan MMH, Chaudhry AS
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
Year: 2010
Volume: 23
Issue: 7
Pages: 889-900
Print publication date: 01/07/2010
Date deposited: 25/10/2010
ISSN (print): 1011-2367
ISSN (electronic):
Publisher: Asian-Australasian Association of Animal Production Societies
URL: http://www.ajas.info/
