Effect of Aibellin, a Peptide Antibiotic, on Propionate Production in the Rumen of Goats

¹ Department of Agriculture, Meiji University, Higashimita, Tama-ku, Kawasaki, 214, Japan
² Mitsubishi Kasei Corporation, Research Center, Kamoshida-cho, Midori-ku, Yokohama, 227, Japan

Aibellin was administered in feed to goats (16 to 18 kg of BW) for 12 d. At 80 mg/d, the molar percentage of propionate in rumen fluid increased significantly in 8 d, and the effect lasted for as long as 10 d after administration ceased. Total VFA concentration, protozoa numbers, and NDF digestibility were not depressed significantly at this dosage but were reduced at 100 mg/d with little further increase in the molar percentage of propionate. Therefore, the optimal dosage of aibellin was 80 mg/d under our experimental conditions. In contrast, monensin (30 mg/d) and gramicidin D (60 mg/d) decreased total VFA concentration and protozoa numbers when supplemented to obtain molar percentages of propionate comparable to 80 mg/d of aibellin. From these results, aibellin may be easier and safer to use than monensin and gramicidin D to modify rumen fermentation.

Key Words: aibellin • peptide antibiotic • rumen propionate

Submitted on January 24, 1994
Accepted on June 3, 1994