Effect of fibrolytic enzyme treatment of wheat straw on rumen fermentation pattern in buffaloes.

摘要

This study was conducted to determine the effect of enzyme-treated wheat straw on the rumen fermentation pattern in buffaloes. Adult rumen-fistulated buffaloes were divided into 2 groups and offered untreated wheat straw (T1) or fibrolytic enzyme-treated wheat straw (T2) along with concentrate mixture. The rumen liquor samples were collected at 2 h post-feeding from each animal for 2 consecutive days. The crude protein (CP) and fibre contents of untreated and enzyme-treated wheat straws were comparable. The rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen and total nitrogen concentrations were unaffected by the enzyme treatment. The total volatile fatty acid (VFA) concentration was significantly higher in T2 than in T1. Application of enzymes to the roughage resulted to a higher ruminal digestion. CMCase and xylanase activities were higher in T2 than in T1. The total rumen protozoal count was comparable between T1 and T2. It was concluded that the application of fibrolytic enzyme in the ruminant diet significantly increased the CMCase, xylanase and VFA concentrations without affecting the rumen protozoa population.