Assessment of the Digestibility of Probiotic Treated Rice Straw Using In Vitro Gas ProductionTechnique

Abstract

A study was conducted to find out the effect of probiotic treated rice straw on chemical composition,total digestible nutrients, the fractional rate of degradation characteristics and in vitro gas production. Seven commercial probiotics (P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, P6 and P7) were used to treat rice straw. Probiotic treatment improved CP content. The response to urea treatment on CP content almost doubled the CP content of untreated straw.
Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus sp. also increased the CP content. However, the ADF content in the rice straw was similar to control but significantly (P<0.05) higher in urea, Trichoderma sp. and Aspergillus sp.treated groups The in vitro gas production increased upto 48 h in all treatments. Most of the probiotic treated rice straw showed similar total digestible nutrient level and rate of degradation. Mineral concentration did not vary among treated groups. Non fibrous carbohydrates concentration was almost half in the probiotic treated rice straw suggesting a greater release of non fibre carbohydrates for microbial utilization. Moreover, the relative feed value was higher in treated straws compared to control. In conclusion, the probiotic treated rice straw improved nutritional quality and provided better fermentation pattern regarding rate of degradation and total in vitro gas production.