Potential use of insect protein and phytonutrient based tropical plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle.

Objective: This experiment evaluated the use of the insect protein and phytonutrient based tropical plant supplementation on rumen fermentation characteristics and microbial protein synthesis in Thai native beef cattle. Enhancing protein utilization and promoting rumen fermentation could be achieved by combining high-protein crickets and phytonutrients from mangosteen peel and lemongrass powder to pellet (CMLP).

Methods: Four native male Thai beef cattle were randomly assigned treatments using a 4×4 Latin square design to receive four dietary treatments. The treatments were as follows: control (no supplementation), CMLP supplement at 50 g/h/d, CMLP supplement at 100 g/h/d and CMLP supplement at 150 g/h/d, respectively.

Results: Results revealed that the supplementation of CMLP in beef cattle did not influence on rice straw intake, concentrate intake and total feed intake, which also enhanced the digestibility of crude protein (CP), acid detergent fibre (ADF) and neutral detergent fibre (NDF) (p<0.05). Additionally, volatile fatty acid production of propionate and bacterial population were increased (p<0.05), protozoal populations and production of methane decreased (p<0.05) with a higher level of CMLP supplementation. Furthermore, efficiency of microbial nitrogen synthesis (EMNS) significantly increased by increasing the level of CMLP supplementation, particularly at 150 g.

Conclusion: Our results suggested that CMLP supplementation, particularly at 150 g/h/d, enhanced nutrient digestibility, increased the propionic acid proportion, and promoted microbial protein synthesis while reducing protozoal populations and methane production. CMLP showed promise as an effective dietary protein supplement that improved rumen fermentation and performance of Thai native beef cattle.