In vitro fermentation of different ratios of alfalfa and starch or inulin incubated with an equine faecal inoculum

Garber, A. , Hastie, P.M. , Handel, I. and Murray, J.M.D. (2018) In vitro fermentation of different ratios of alfalfa and starch or inulin incubated with an equine faecal inoculum. Livestock Science, 215, pp. 7-15. (doi: 10.1016/j.livsci.2017.05.002)

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Abstract

The aim of this work was to assess the impact of substituting starch (S) or inulin (I) with high-temperature dried alfalfa (HTDA) as substrates for in vitro fermentation with an equine faecal inoculum. A series of experiments were conducted to assess the fermentation kinetics of HTDA (chopped [CA] or ground [GA]) and either S or I mixed in the following ratios; 100:0, 80:20, 60:40, 40:60 and 20:80S/I: CA/GA, respectively. For each experiment, a further set of bottles containing identical ratios of S/I: CA/GA were also prepared, with the exception that the alfalfa received a simulated foregut digestion treatment (SFD) as prior to incubation. Total gas production increased (P<0.05) as the ratio of S/I to alfalfa increased. Total gas production was lower in bottles containing SFD-treated alfalfa (P<0.001). Dry matter loss decreased proportionately with increasing level of alfalfa substitution of S/I (P<0.001). Values for pH were lower in bottles containing S or I, with pH values in bottles containing S alone falling to almost 6 and those with I dropping to pH 5 and under. However, the substitution of S or I with 40% alfalfa produced pH values above 6.7, which is within physiological levels encountered in the large intestine of the horse. Consequently, there appears to be considerable potential to buffer the deleterious effects of high-starch/fructan diets with the substitution of these substrates with high-temperature dried alfalfa.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Hastie, Professor Peter and Garber, Dr Anna and Murray, Professor Jo-Anne
Authors: Garber, A., Hastie, P.M., Handel, I., and Murray, J.M.D.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine
Journal Name:Livestock Science
Publisher:Elsevier
ISSN:1871-1413
ISSN (Online):1878-0490
Published Online:06 May 2017
Copyright Holders:Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V.
First Published:First published in Livestock Science 215: 7-15
Publisher Policy:Reproduced in accordance with the copyright policy of the publisher

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