Dose-dependent effect of plants of the Lamiaceae family on the concentration of methane, fatty acids and nitrogen in the ecosystem in vitro

Federal Research Centre of Biological Systems and Agrotechnologies, RAS, Orenburg, Russia

Abstract

Fermentation processes in the rumen of ruminants determine how much final metabolites and their derivatives will be formed, which are necessary for the full development of the organism, the level of productivity, and also affect the level of formation of endogenous substances, namely, greenhouse gas emissions. These criteria lead us to the search for new feed products that improve the metabolic processes of the rumen and the digestive system as a whole, so phyto-substances can serve as an alternative. The article presents the results of in vitro study of the influence of Salviae folia, Scutellaria baicalensis, Oríganum vulgáre on formation of methane, synthesis of volatile fatty acids and nitrogen, as the main indicator parameters of the enzymatic activity of the rumen of ruminants. It was found that when using phyto- substances: Salviae folia and Scutellaria baicalensis, more acetic and propionic acid was formed, Oríganum vulgare in various dosages shifted towards propionic and valeric acid. Formation of a larger amount of microbial protein (P≤0.05) with use of Salviae folia, Scutellaria baicalensis, Oríganum vulgáre in various dosages was established. Methane production decreased with use of Oríganum vulgáre.