Effect of different inclusion levels of Morus alba Linn cv. Cubana on the methane fermentation and production under in vitro conditions with rumen liquor from river buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis)

Resumen

In order to evaluate the effect of different inclusion levels of mulberry (M. alba Linn.) cv. Cubana on the fermentation and reduction of the
rumen methanogenesis in river buffaloes (Bubalus bubalis), an in vitro fermentation was performed and five levels of inclusion of M. alba
L. cv. Cubana (0, 15, 20, 25 y 30 %) were assessed in a diet based on star grass (Cynodon nlemfuensis). The volume of gas and methane
accumulated was determined at 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of fermentation, as well as the concentration of total and individual short chain fatty
acids (SCFA), the ammonia (NH3), and the pH at 0, 4, 8, 12, and 24 h of incubation. The inclusion of M. alba L. cv. Cubana increased the
production of gas accumulated at 24 h of fermentation, compared with the treatment containing only star grass. The different mulberry
inclusion levels reduced the methane production in the rumen, compared with the control. The 30 % was the level that reduced it the most.
The concentration of total and individual SCFA was not affected, nor that of NH3. It was concluded that the inclusion levels of 15, 20, 25,
and 30 % of M. alba L. cv. Cubana did not affect the end products of the fermentation and reduced the in vitro rumen methane production.
The 30 % was the level that reduced the most the rumen methanogenesis.
Key words: rumen methanogenesis, rumen, mulberry, end products of the fermentation, in vitro gas production.