Effect of Camellia sinensis, Punica granatum Peel, and Quercus persica Extracts on in vitro Fermentation Parameters

This experiment was conducted to study the effects of aqueous and alcoholic extracts of Camellia sinensis leaves (green tea), Punica granatum peel (pomegranate-peel), and Quercus persica (oak) at different concentrations on ruminal fermentation, dry matter and organic matter digestibility, methane production and protozoa population using gas production method. Experimental treatments were: control, ۵۰, ۱۰۰, and ۲۰۰ μg/ ml aqueous and methanolic extract of Camellia sinensis, Punica granatum peel, and Quercus persica (۱۹ treatments in total). Cumulative gas production was recorded at ۲, ۴, ۶, ۸, ۱۲, ۲۴, ۳۶, ۴۸, ۷۲, and ۹۶ h after incubation. Dry matter digestibility (DMD), organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolizable energy (ME), pH, and short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) were calculated after ۲۴ h incubation. Gas production at different times, methane production, and protozoa population were also measured. DMD, OMD, and pH were decreased by adding extracts. Microbial mass production (MCP) and microbial mass production efficiency (EMCP) significantly increased at a low level (۵۰ μg/ ml) and significantly decreased at high levels of extracts containing tannins (۱۰۰ and ۲۰۰ μg/ ml) (P< ۰.۰۱). The treatments also increased short-chain fatty acids (SCFA), reduced methane concentration, and reduced PF and protozoa populations only at the highest levels of extracts (P<۰.۰۵).

Keywords:

Aqueous and alcoholic extracts , Camellia sinensis , Punica granatum peel , Quercus persica , Fermentation parameters , methane , protozoa