The Effectivity of Mulberry Leaves to Substitute Concentrate in the in Vitro Ruminal System

Abstract

Mulberry leave has a great potential as animal feed because of its high nutrient content. It also has deoxynojirimycin (DNJ) compound, that is potential to increase fermentability of fi brous feed in ruminal system. An in vitro experiment was conducted to investigate the capability of mulberry leaves to substitute concentrate as feed for ruminant in increasing fermentability of fi brous feed in ruminal system. This experiment was carried out using randomized block design with fi ve treatments and four replications. The treatments were: P0 (50% rice straw + 50% concentrate) as a control, P1 (50% rice straw + 37.5% concentrate + 12.5% mulberry leave), P2 (50% rice straw + 25% concentrate + 25% mulberry leave), P3 (50% rice straw + 12.5% concentrate + 37.5% mulberry leave), P4 (50% rice straw + 50% mulberry leave). Variables measured were fermentability (NH3 and VFA concentrations), pH, gas production, dry matter and organic matter digestibility. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and duncan multiple range test was further used to test the signifi cant differences. VFA concentration, dry matter digestibility and organic matter digestibility were signifi cantly difference (P<0.05) among treatments. However, there was no signifi cant effect on the other variables. It is concluded that mulberry leave are able to substitute the concentrate and increased fermentability of fi brous feed in ruminal system.