Chemical composition, digestibility and degradability of Rose flower extraction pulp and its effect on nitrogen balance in ruminants

In this study, about 1000 kg of wet Rose Flower pulp were obtained from Ghamsar – Kashan in Iran and dried in air for 10 days. The DM, CP, Ash, EE, total extractable phenols, total tannin, Ca and P of Rose flower extraction pulp (RFEP) were 96.0, 12.5, 6.5, 1.8, 2.7, 1.3, 1.1 and 0.1 percent, respectively. Four adult Chaal sheep in a changeover design used for determination of digestibility, dry matter intake and nitrogen balance. The sheep fed by four diets with different ratio of RFEP: alfalfa (0.0:100, 15:85, 30:70 and 45:55). Digestibility of DM and OM were not affected by experimental diets. Inclusion of 30 percent or more RFEP, decreased CP digestibility (P< 0.05). Dry matter intake was not affected by inclusion of different levels of RFEP in diets. The nitrogen balance of diets including zero, 15, 30 and 45 precent RFEP were 3.1, 2.6, 1.4 and 1.1 gram per day, respectively (P< 0.05). The DM and CP effective degradability of RFEP were 68.5 and 67.8, respectively. It seems that Rose flower extraction pulp can be used as a part of roughage in the ruminant’s diet.