Effect of sarsaponin on ruminal fermentation with particular reference to methane production in vitro.
This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/L) of sarsaponin on ruminal microbial methane production using the substrates soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1). Ruminal fluid was collected from a dairy cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (30 ml) anaerobically at 38 degrees C for 6 and 24 h with or without sarsaponin. Excluding the lower level of sarsaponin, pH of the medium was slightly decreased. Ammonia-N concentration and numbers of protozoa were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Total volatile fatty acids and total gas production were increased. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate:propionate ratio. Hydrogen production was decreased. As the concentration of sarsaponin increased from 1.2 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate decreased methane production from 20 to 60% (6 h) and 17 to 50% (24 h), 21 to 58% (6 h) and 18 to 52% (24 h), and 23 to 53% (6 h) and 15 to 44% (24 h), respectively. Excluding the lower dose concentration (1.2 g/L) of sarsaponin, in vitro disappearance of dry matter of hay plus concentrate was decreased after 24 h. In conclusion, these results show that sarsaponin stimulated the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation as well as to inhibit methane production in vitro.
Laboratory of Agricultural Production Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509, Japan.
Z A
ZA
Lila
N
N
Mohammed
S
S
Kanda
T
T
Kamada
H
H
Itabashi
D019342:Acetic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D000641:Ammonia / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D001419:Bacteria / Q000378:metabolism; D020148:Butyric Acid / Q000032:analysis; D002417:Cattle / Q000378:metabolism*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D005285:Fermentation / Q000187:drug effects; D006863:Hydrogen-Ion Concentration; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008697:Methane / Q000378:metabolism*; D009584:Nitrogen / Q000032:analysis; D006109:Poaceae / Q000378:metabolism; D011422:Propionates / Q000032:analysis; D012417:Rumen / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000382:microbiology; D011198:Solanum tuberosum / Q000737:chemistry; D013150:Spirostans / Q000494:pharmacology*; D013213:Starch / Q000378:metabolism
D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D005232:Fatty Acids, Volatile; D011422:Propionates; D013150:Spirostans; D020148:Butyric Acid; D000641:Ammonia; D013213:Starch; C046297:sarsasapogenin; C029658:propionic acid; D009584:Nitrogen; D008697:Methane; D019342:Acetic Acid