In situ degradability of soyabean meal treated with Acacia saligna and Atriplex halimus extracts in sheep

Abstract

The effects of Acacia saligna (AC) and Atriplex halimus (AT) extracts were evaluated on ruminal soyabean meal (SBM) degradability using the nylon bag technique. Samples of SBM were treated with 0, 4, or 8 g of AC or AT extracts per 100 g SBM. Bags were incubated in two cannulated sheep for 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24, and 48 h. The chemical constituents (CCs) of extracts was determined using GC-MS. Rate and potential degradability of dry matter (DM) were decreased (P=0.015) to a greater extent than N degradability (P=0.145) with AC and AT doses. DM and N degradation were decreased (P<0.05) by 15% and 29%; 24% and 47% with AC, and 21% and 29%; 23% and 37% with AT at 4% and 8% for DM and N, respectively. The data suggest the possibility of using these extracts as feed additives to reduce ruminal degradability of SBM in ruminant diets.