Rumen Microbes Viability and in Vitro Digestibility of Beef Cattle Ration Containing Velvet Bean (Mucuna pruriens)

Abstract

ABSTRACT Velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens) is legume that rich in antioxidants, containing tannin, and saponin properties. According to some researches, this bean also has potentiality as growth promotor for human and animal. The use of this bean in ruminants should consider the viability of rumen microbes like bacteria. The objective of this research was to study rumen microbes viability and their activities in vitro on beef cattle rations/diets containing velvet bean (Mucuna pruriens). The experimental design was used randomized block design 9x3 with 9 treatments and 3 periods of rumen fluid taken as replications. Post-hoc test used contrast orthogonal analysis. The treatments were: P0= Forage (F) 40%+ Concentrate (C) 60%; P1= F 40%+ C 57.6%+ velvet bean extract (VBE) 2.4% (4% of concentrate); P2= F 40%+ C 55.2%+ VBE 4.8% (8% of concentrate); P3= F 40%+ C 52.8%+ VBE 7.2% (12% of concentrate); P4= F 40%+ C 50.4%+ VBE 9.6% (16% of concentrate); P5= F 40%+ C 57.6%+ velvet bean tempeh (VBT) 2.4% (4% of concentrate); P6= F 40%+ C 55.2%+ VBT 4.8% (8% of concentrate); P7= F 40%+ C 52.8%+ VBT 7.2% (12% of concentrate), P8= F 40%+ C 50.4%+ VBT 9.6% (16% of concentrate). Parameter measurements of this research were population of protozoa, total bacteria, cellulolytic bacteria, and in vitro parameter such as N-NH3, VFA, dry and organic matter digestibility. The results showed that population of protozoa gradually decreased due to increasing of the concentration of VBE in the diets (P<0.05). Total and cellulolytic bacteria, and also in vitro parameter were not influenced by increasing of concentration of VBE as well as VBT. As conclusion, velvet bean extract (VBE) as natural feed additive could be used as much 4% of concentrate in beef cattle diet, while velvet bean tempeh (VBT) could be used until 16% of concentrate. The use of those VBE and VBT concentrations were safely supporting the viability of rumen microbes and their activities in vitro.