Effect of Essential Plant Oil Used as an Additive to Alter Silage Fermentation in Ruminant by In Vitro

Abstract

The subject of this research was to evaluate the effect of adding different levels<br><br>(0, 2ml) essential oils of thyme (Thymus) and Mentha piperita (Carvacrol) on alfalfa<br><br>silage degradability by in vitro gas production and in vitro gas production kinetics. In<br><br>vitro gas production values were determined by using rumen liquor from three lactation<br><br>Holstein cows in times of 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours. The results of this paper<br><br>report that, the effects of essential oils of thyme (Thymus) and Mentha piperita (Carvacrol)<br><br>were significant. In vitro gas production was decreased by essential oils of thyme (Thymus)<br><br>and Mentha piperita (Carvacrol). These essential oils and their different doses or<br><br>combinations in alfalfa silage could be used to improve the performance of ruminants.<br><br>Moreover, essential oils may act at different levels in energy and protein metabolic<br><br>pathways, therefore their careful selection and combination may be a useful tool to<br><br>effectively manipulate rumen fermentation.