In vitro Gas Production and Stoichiometric Relationship Between Short Chain Fatty Acid and in vitro Gas Production of Semi-Arid Browses of North-Eastern Nigeria

The in vitro gas production of semi-arid browse species were evaluated. The relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of tannin-containing browses in buffered rumen fluid and calculated from short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production was investigated. Crude protein (CP) contents in the browses ranged from 13.23 to 18.31 % Diy matter (DM). The NDF, ADF and ADL were 34.40 to 54.80, 16.55 to 33.40 and 9.70 to 67.17 g/lOOg DM respectively. The Crude fibre (CF), Ether Extract (EE) and (NFE) were in the range of 14.50 to 37.00, 2.00 to 6.00, 23.39 to 41.39% DM respectively. Total condensed tannin (TCT) ranged from 0.12 to 0.41 mg/g DM. The TCT was significantly correlated (P<0.05) with gas production (r = 0.95; P < 0.05). There as a weak correlation between phenolic content of the browses and gas production (R2=0.44, n =4). A weak relationship (r = 0.06; P< 0.05) was observed between measured in vitro gas production and that calculated from SCFA. The relationship between in vitro gas measured on incubation of browse leaves and that calculated from SCFA allows prediction of SCFA from gas production. The study showed that the leaves of the browse forages had nutritive value and therefore, may serve as potential supplements for ruminants in Nigeria.