HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Lila, Z. A. Articles by Itabashi, H. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Lila, Z. A. Articles by Itabashi, H.

Effect of Sarsaponin on Ruminal Fermentation with Particular Reference to Methane Production in Vitro

Laboratory of Agricultural Production Technology, Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, Tokyo 183-8509 Japan

Corresponding author: H. Itabashi; e-mail: hita{at}cc.tuat.ac.jp.

This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of different concentrations (0, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 g/L) of sarsaponin on ruminal microbial methane production using the substrates soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate (1.5:1). Ruminal fluid was collected from a dairy cow, mixed with phosphate buffer (1:2) and incubated (30 ml) anaerobically at 38°C for 6 and 24 h with or without sarsaponin. Excluding the lower level of sarsaponin, pH of the medium was slightly decreased. Ammonia-N concentration and numbers of protozoa were decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Total volatile fatty acids and total gas production were increased. Molar proportion of acetate was decreased and propionate was increased with a corresponding decrease in acetate:propionate ratio. Hydrogen production was decreased. As the concentration of sarsaponin increased from 1.2 to 3.2 g/L, fermentation of soluble potato starch, cornstarch, or hay plus concentrate decreased methane production from 20 to 60% (6 h) and 17 to 50% (24 h), 21 to 58% (6 h) and 18 to 52% (24 h), and 23 to 53% (6 h) and 15 to 44% (24 h), respectively. Excluding the lower dose concentration (1.2 g/L) of sarsaponin, in vitro disappearance of dry matter of hay plus concentrate was decreased after 24 h. In conclusion, these results show that sarsaponin stimulated the mixed ruminal microorganism fermentation as well as to inhibit methane production in vitro.

Key Words: Yucca schidigera • saponin • methane • rumen fermentation

Abbreviation key: IVDDM = in vitro disappearance of DM

This article has been cited by other articles:

				L. Holtshausen, A. V. Chaves, K. A. Beauchemin, S. M. McGinn, T. A. McAllister, N. E. Odongo, P. R. Cheeke, and C. Benchaar Feeding saponin-containing Yucca schidigera and Quillaja saponaria to decrease enteric methane production in dairy cows J Dairy Sci, June 1, 2009; 92(6): 2809 - 2821. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. Busquet, S. Calsamiglia, A. Ferret, and C. Kamel Plant Extracts Affect In Vitro Rumen Microbial Fermentation J Dairy Sci, February 1, 2006; 89(2): 761 - 771. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]