Evaluation of feed supplementation using legume leaf meal and spent substrate fermented by Eupenicillium javanicum as a potential feed for ruminants: an in vitro study

Abstract

Legume forage contains anti-nutrients that mitigate enteric methane production by reducing microbial activity in the rumen. Therefore, this study aimed to observe the inclusion of 49.6% legumes in concentrate, with or without Eupennicillum javanicum fermented spent substrate supplementation on in vitro feed fermentation and methane emission. The experimental diet consisted of a legume containing (L) or non-legume (NL) concentrate with (+S) or without (−S) spent substrate at 10% dry matter concentrate. This study used a complete randomised design in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement with five replicates per treatment. The ratio of concentrate to forage was 1:3, with the legume component containing a mixture of Indigofera sp. and Gliricidia sp. at a ratio of 3:1. The results showed that Indigofera sp. and Gliricidia sp. could substitute 49.6% of the concentrate without affecting feed digestibility. Furthermore, the addition of Indigofera sp., Gliricidia sp., and spent substrate effectively reduced methane production in ruminants.