The effect of aronia pulp addition to total mixed ration (TMR) on in vitro gas production parameters

In this study, the effect of adding aronia pulp instead of beer pulp to dairy cattle rations on in vitro gas production parameters was examined. Aronia pulp was added to the total ration mixture (TMR) at 1% and 2%. In the study using in vitro gas production technique, gas production (GP), methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2), ammonia (NH3) and sulfur production (H2S) of the groups were determined. Organic matter digestibility (OMD), metabolic energy (ME), and net energy lactation (NEL) values were calculated with the amount of GP obtained at the 24th hour of incubation. The number of protozoa, pH values and viscosity were determined as parameters related to rumen fluid. OMD values of the ration ranged between 67,79-77,06 g/100g, KM; ME values ranged between 14,63-16,11 MJ/kg, KM; NEL values ranged between 5,51-6,57 MJ/kg, KM. The highest values were found in the group supplemented with 2% brewers pulp, while the lowest values were found in the group supplemented with 1% aronia pulp and 1% brewers pulp (P<0,05). Addition of aronia pulp to the diet decreased the amount of GP, CH4, H2S, but increased CO2 and NH3 (P<0,05). While the pH value of rumen fluid was measured as 7,20 at the beginning, it changed between 6.82-7,15 at the 48th hour of incubation. As the proportion of aronia pulp in the ration increased, the rumen pH increased (P<0,012). At the beginning of the incubation, the number of protozoa in the rumen fluid was 0,63 x105, while the number of protozoa ranged between 0,94-1,25 x105 at the 48th hour of incubation. The highest number of protozoa was observed in aronia pulp supplemented groups. At the beginning of the incubation, rumen fluid viscosity value was 0,206 mm2/s. At the 48th hour of incubation, this value was determined as 0,370-0,436 mm2/s. There was no statistical difference between the groups in terms of rumen fluid viscosity (P>0,05). As a result, it was determined that the addition of aronia pomace to the ration increased feed digestibility and contributed positively to rumen microbiota.