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 enzymes activity of different parts of Moringa peregrina (MP) including leaves, stems and whole fodder compared to alfalfa hay (AH; four experimental treatments) using gas production (GP) technique. Leaves of MP had a higher crude protein (CP) than other fodder parts as well as AH. Content of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) in stems was higher than other experimental feed ingredients and it was comparable to AH. Highest and lowest non-fiber carbohydrates contents were observed in leaf part and AH, respectively. Regarding mineral contents, except for P and Fe which was highest in MP leaves, other minerals was highest in AH. Highest total GP and potential GP (b) was observed by stems incubation (p <0.05). However, in vitro dry matter (DM) and organic matter digestibility, metabolizable energy, microbial protein synthesis and ammonia-N concentration for MP leaves were higher than stem and AH (p <0.05). The highest and lowest DM and NDF two-stage disappearance rate was observed for MP leaves and stems, respectively (p <0.05). However, the highest and lowest carboxymethyl cellulase and microcrystalline cellulase activity were observed by incubation of MP stems and leaves, respectively (p <0.05). Activity of filter paper-degrading activity was unchanged among experimental feeds (P>0.05). Leaves of MP and alfalfa resulted in highest and lowest ruminal ɑ-amylase activity respectively (P>0.05). In conclusion, results indicated that different parts of MP fodder have potential nutritional value as alternative protein source for ruminant feeding, and leaves was also had higher nutritive value than other plant parts as well as AH.