Pilot Study of the Effects of Polyphenols from Chestnut Involucre on Methane Production Volatile Fatty Acids and Ammonia Concentration during In Vitro Rumen Fermentation

摘要

In China, chestnut involucres, an agricultural byproduct, are not appropriately used and are regarded as agricultural waste. To reduce the environmental pollution caused by burning or misuse of chestnut involucres, the authors extracted polyphenols from the involucres of Castanea mollissima Blume (PICB) to produce a new additive. PICB is known to have beneficial effects on monogastric animals. However, the effects of PICB on ruminants need further investigation. This study shows that the addition of PICB to the ruminant diet can significantly reduce methane yields and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid, thus improving feed efficiency. The results contribute to the knowledge of tannins from a specific part of the Castanea mollissima Blume plant and provide a theoretical basis for the potential use of involucres. Such an application would limit environmental pollution caused by their disposal and reduce the negative influence of ruminants on the environment.