In vitro rumen fermentation of tropical browse seeds in relation to their content of secondary metabolites

Abstract

Seeds of four tropical multipurpose trees (Albizia saman, Albizia lebbeck, Albizia rhizonse, Leucaena leucocephala), two shrubs (Tephrosia candida, Tephrosia bracteolata) and two pulse legumes (Lablab purpureus, Canavalia ensiformis) were supplemented (125 mg) to straw (375 mg) in batch in vitro incubations using rumen content as inoculum. All seeds have been suggested to be useful protein supplements. Moreover, Albizia lebbeck and Albizia rhizonse, containing saponins, showed the ability to reduce rumen methane production, probably due to reduced protozoal numbers as suggested by lower butyrate productions. There was a suggestion of reduced protein degradability in the shrub seeds, containing condensed tannins.