Moringa peregrina in ruminant nutrition: effects on rumen fermentation, digestion and microbial enzymes activity in vitro

This study was conducted to evaluate chemical and mineral compositions, in vitro gas production (IVGP) and fermentation parameters, nutrient digestibility and rumen microbial enzyme activity in different parts of Moringa peregrina (MP), including the leaves, stems and whole fodder compared to alfalfa hay (AH) using gas production (GP) technique. Leaves of MP had a higher crude protein (CP) than other fodder parts as well as AH. The level of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in stems was higher than other experimental feed ingredients, and it was comparable to AH. The highest and lowest non-fiber carbohydrate contents were observed in the leaf part and AH, respectively. Regarding the mineral contents, except for P and Fe which were highest in MP leaves, other minerals were highest in AH. The highest total GP and potential GP (b) were observed in incubated stems (P 0.05). However, in vitro dry matter (DM) and organic matter disappearance rate, metabolizable energy, microbial protein synthesis and ammonia-N concentration in MP leaves were higher than in the stem and AH (P 0.05). The highest and lowest DM and NDF two-stage digestibility was observed in MP leaves and stems, respectively (P 0.05). However, the highest and lowest carboxymethyl cellulase and microcrystalline cellulase activities were observed by incubation of MP stems and leaves, respectively (P 0.05). The filter paper-degrading activity was unchanged among experimental feeds (P 0.05). The highest and lowest ruminal alpha-amylase activities were recorded in the leaves of MP and alfalfa, respectively (P 0.05). In conclusion, the results indicated that different parts of MP fodder have potential nutritional value as an alternative protein source for ruminant feeding, and the MP leaves had higher nutritive value than other plant parts as well as AH.