Research Article

Effects of California chaparral plants on in vitro ruminal fermentation of forage and concentrate diet

  1. Nelmy Narvaez*,
  2. Yuxi Wang,
  3. Zhong Xu,
  4. Tim McAllister

Article first published online: 11 SEP 2012

DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.5828

Issue

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture

Volume 93, Issue 3, pages 550–559, February 2013

Additional Information

How to Cite

Narvaez, N., Wang, Y., Xu, Z. and McAllister, T. (2013), Effects of California chaparral plants on in vitro ruminal fermentation of forage and concentrate diet. J. Sci. Food Agric., 93: 550–559. doi: 10.1002/jsfa.5828

Author Information

  1. Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada; 5403 1 Ave S., Lethbridge, AB, T1J4B1, Canada

*Nelmy Narvaez, SGS AgriFood Laboratories, 1-503 Imperial Road North, Guelph, ON, Canada N1H 6T9. E-mail: nenarvaez@gmail.com

  1. †Reproduced with the permission of the Minister of Agriculture

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JAN 2013
  2. Article first published online: 11 SEP 2012
  3. Manuscript Accepted: 27 JUN 2012
  4. Manuscript Revised: 25 JUN 2012
  5. Manuscript Received: 21 SEP 2011

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Keywords:

  • chaparral plants;
  • in vitro rumen fermentation;
  • methane;
  • ammonia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The combustible nature of chaparral plants has been attributed to the presence of secondary compounds such as phenolic acids, flavonoids and essential oils, among others. However, the implication of the antimicrobial properties of secondary compounds of chaparral in modulating rumen microbial metabolism has not been determined. The effects of 11 chaparral plants on rumen microbial fermentation were assessed in an in vitro batch culture fermentation fed a barley silage:barley grain-based low concentrate (LC) and high concentrate (HC) diets.

RESULTS: With LC, gas production [g dry matter (DM) incubated] and DM disappearance (DMD) were unaffected by Adenostoma fasciculatum, Ceanothus cuneatus, Baccharis pilularis or Eriodictyon californicum, but all plants except C. cuneatus decreased (P < 0.05) CH4 production. With HC diet, all species except A. fasciculatum decreased (P < 0.01) total gas produced. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) produced, molar proportions of acetate, propionate and butyrate, and the acetate:propionate (A:P) ratio were unaffected by chaparral addition to both HC and LC diets. Increased concentrations of A. fasciculatum and E. californicum decreased (linear; P < 0.05) fermentability and productions of CH4 and NH3-N.

CONCLUSION: Among all chaparral species investigated A. fasciculatum and E. californicum added as 10% of LC diet showed some potential to exert beneficial effects on rumen microbial fermentation. © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada 2012

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