Evaluation of choline of different sources for its in vitro fermentation kinetics
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DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56093/ijans.v96i8.180639Keywords:
in vitro gas production, Fermentation kinetics, Rumen-protected choline (RPC), RuminantAbstract
Unprotected dietary choline is rapidly degraded in the rumen, which reduces its availability for absorption and utilization in the lower digestive tract. Therefore, to evaluate the rumen protection efficiency of different choline sources and their effects on in vitro gas production kinetics, choline degradation, and rumen fermentation characteristics.
A two-phase in vitro experiment was carried out at the Animal Nutrition Division, ICAR-NDRI, Karnal. In Phase I, choline chloride (unprotected choline) and three rumen-protected choline (RPC) products (K-RPC, J-RPC, and S-RPC) were incubated separately (200 mg) with rumen inoculum to determine their degradation characteristics, while rumen inoculum alone served as the control. Since choline chloride showed almost complete ruminal degradation, it was not included in the next phase. In Phase II, a total mixed ration (40% berseem, 20% wheat straw, and 40% concentrate) supplemented with 10% of each RPC source was incubated with rumen inoculum. A TMR treatment only served as the control. Incubations were performed under anaerobic conditions at 39°C with three replicates in two experimental runs. Gas production was recorded up to 72 h, and fermentation parameters such as pH, ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), and volatile fatty acids (VFA) were analyzed.
Among the treatments, J-RPC showed the highest cumulative gas production and fermentation kinetics, indicating greater microbial fermentability. In contrast, K-RPC recorded the lowest values, suggesting stronger rumen protection. Choline disappearance exceeded 90% in the control and choline chloride treatments, confirming extensive ruminal degradation of unprotected choline. RPC products showed significantly lower degradation, with K-RPC providing the greatest protection, followed by J-RPC and S-RPC. Fermentation results further indicated higher VFA production with J-RPC and S-RPC, whereas K-RPC maintained lower VFA and NH₃-N concentrations. Overall, K-RPC exhibited the highest rumen protection and bypass potential, while J-RPC and S-RPC provided moderate protection with improved ruminal fermentation.
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