Search

To know the effect of forage tree seeds in ruminant feeding, it is necessary to know the effect of forage seeds with tannins on the fermentative activity of ruminal microorganisms, for this in vitro fermentation was evaluated, through the production technique of seed gas of Acacia angustissima, Enterolobium cyclocarpum and Guazuma ulmifolia. The variables were: maximum volume (Vm, mL / g), rate (S, h-1) and lag phase (L; h) of gas production, and in vitro digestibility of the dry matter at 24 hours (DIVMS): these were correlated with the tannin content of the evaluated tree species. The content of tannins was higher for the A. angustissima seed (P <0,05) and the lowest concentration was found in G. ulmifolia seed. The Vm, S and L were similar for E. cyclocarpum and G. ulmifolia (P> 0,05), but lower (P <0,05) for the A. angustissima seed. The highest DIVMS was present in the seeds of E. cyclocarpum, followed by G. ulmifolia and lower for A. angustissima (P <0,05). In the correlation analysis it was observed that the tannin content showed a significant and negative correlation with the DIVMS values (Y = -0,2799x + 63,678 R² = 0,89) and the Vm (Y = -1,4816x + 277,56, R2 = 0,81). It is concluded that E. cyclocarpum and G. ulmifolia seeds are fermented more favorably in the rumen, showing better potential and higher fermentation fractions of the sugars and reserve carbohydrates, improving the in vitro digestibility, suggesting its use in the feeding of ruminants, while the amount of tannins of A. angustissima affected the kinetics of ruminal fermentation and in vitro digestibility, however, additional research is needed to evaluate the inclusion of seeds as ingredients in diets as well as in-situ assessments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]