Evaluation of In Vitro Nutrient Digestibility, Fermentation Characteristics and Methane Production of Agro-industrial Byproducts-based Complete Feed Block Treated with Mixed Microbes

This study was undertaken to evaluate in vitro nutrient digestibility, fermentation characteristics and methane production of agro-industrial byproducts-based complete feed block treated with mixed microbes. Five treatments were A:complete feed block without microbe (control); B: complete feed block containing 1.5% L. plantarum,1.5% S. cerevisiae and 1% P. aeruginosa; C: complete feed block containing 1.5% L. plantarum,1.5% S. cerevisiae, 2% P. aeruginosa and 2% A. baumanni; D: complete feed block containing 1.5% L. plantarum, 1.5% S. cerevisiae, 1% P. aeruginosa and 1% A. baumanni; E: complete feed block containing 1.5% L. plantarum, 1.5% S. cerevisiae, 2% P. aeruginosa and 2% A. baumanni. Lactic acid bacteria, yeast and cellulolytic bacteria were added to the feed block at 106-108 cfu/g. Results showed that addition of cellulolytic bacteria in feed block reduced (P<0.01) ADF content. Feed blocks containing mixed microbes (B, C, D and E) had higher (P<0.01) acetic acid concentration compared to control feed block (A). Feed block E had the highest N-NH3 and total VFA concentrations than other feed block. Methane production reduced (P<0.01) by 16.2%, 37.6% and 37.6% for feed block C, D and E, respectively when compared to feed block A. Therefore, combination of mixed microbes in the complete feed block decreased fiber fraction contents and methane production as well as improved in vitro fermentation activity.