책임운영기관 농촌진흥청 국립축산과학원 (로고)

The objective of this study was to the effect of four medicinal plants (Rheum palmatum, Pharbitidis semen, Reynoutria japonica, Tribulus semen) supplementation on methane reduction and ruminal fermentation in in vitro batch culture method. Each medicinal plant was supplemented 5% on a substrate basis in the bottle, then filled with buffered rumen fluid. Incubation was conducted for 24 hours in a shaking incubator (39℃, 120 rpm). The ruminal pH values were not significantly different between the control and treatment groups. However, the digestibility of the feed was significantly higher in the group supplemented with medicinal plants than control group. Methane production (mL/g of digested dry matter) and total gas production (mL) was significantly lower in the treatment group compared to the control group in Tribulus semen group. Total volatile fatty acids concentration were significantly higher in all treatment groups than control group, and acetate concentration was significantly higher in all treatment groups than control group except for Rheum palmatum group. Propionate concentration was significantly higher in all treatment groups than control group, while butyrate concentration was significantly higher in Rheum palmatum group than control group. Ammonia nitrogen concentration was significantly higher in all treatment groups than control group. In conclusion, the addition of medicinal plants did not negatively impact rumen fermentation, and the results indicate that Tribulus semen has potential as a feed additive for reducing methane emissions.