Determination of nutritional value, gas production and degradability of Salicornia europaea, Suaeda aegyptiaca and Halocnemum strobilaceum in sheep

Nutritional value of Salicornia europaea, Halocnemum strobilaceum and Suaeda aegyptiaca plants was evaluated by chemical composition, in vitro gas production and ruminal degradability with 3 fistulated male sheep. The result showed that the protein content of Halocnemum, Suaeda and Salicornia was 12.8, 9.55 and 5.88%, respectively. The highest levels of neutral detergent fiber and acid detergent fiber were in Suaeda (40.1% and 27.6%, respectively). Salicornia had the highest sodium content (4.67%). Halocnemum lead content (4.42 mg/kg DM) was higher than Salicornia and Suaeda. Cadmium content of Halocnemum (2.53 mg/kg DM) was more than Suaeda and Salicornia. The amount of tannin in Salicornia (0.64%) was higher than Halocnemum (0.27%) and Suaeda (0.12%). Suaeda produced more cumulative gas than Halocnemum and Salicornia. The amount of short chain fatty acids was between 0.32 and 0.45 mmol and Halocnemum had lowest and Suaeda had highest amount (P<0.0001). The soluble fraction (a) in the dry matter of Salicornia was the highest (38.2%) and in Suaeda (26.8%) was the lowest (P<0.0001). The potentially degradable insoluble fraction (b) in the dry matter of the Suaeda (22.5%) was more than Salicornia (15.1%) and Halocnemum (13.9%) (P=0.001). Halocnemum showed the least degradable protein fraction (P<0.05). Overall, the results showed that these halophytes could be used as feedstock for ruminants in saline and coastal areas.