Effects of Anthelmintic Plant Extracts on Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics, Bacterial Diversity and Methane Production in vitro

Abstract

The objective of this study was to know the in vitro effects of supplemental anthelminticplant extracts on the inhibition of protozoa for reducing methane production in the rumen. Afistulated Holstein cow was used as a donor of rumen fluid. The plant extracts (Lonicerajaponica, Zanthoxylum piperitum, Pyrethrum, Torreya nucifera, Ruta graveolens) known to haveanthelmintic effect were added to the in vitro fermentation bottles containing the rumen fluidand medium. The rumen protozoal population was depressed by the addition of Pyrethrum,Torreya nucifera and Ruta graveolens. The methane production was also significantly (p<0.05)reduced by addition of Pyrethrum (2.20 ml/g DM), Torreya nucifera (2.36 ml/g DM) and Rutagraveolens (2.20 ml/g DM). The microbial growth in the treatments of Ruta graveolens orZanthoxylum piperitum was the greatest after 12 h and 24 h incubations, respectively. Theresults of this study indicated that anthelmintic plant extracts appeared to reduce methaneproduction by inhibition of ruminal protozoa related with the methanogens living endosymbioticin protozoal cells.