The effect of total and individual alfalfa saponins on rumen methane production. (14th January 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kozłowska, Martyna; Cieślak, Adam; Jóźwik, Artur; El‐Sherbiny, Mohamed; Stochmal, Anna; Oleszek, Wiesław; Kowalczyk, Mariusz; Filipiak, Weronika; Szumacher‐Strabel, Małgorzata
• Is Part Of: Journal of the science of food and agriculture. Volume 100:Number 5(2020)
• Page Start: 1922
• Page End: 1930
• Publication Date: 2020-01-14
• Subjects: alfalfa -- saponin -- Hohenheim -- in vitro -- rumen -- methane; Food -- Periodicals; Agriculture -- Periodicals; 664
• DOI: 10.1002/jsfa.10204
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-5142

Abstract

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Ten varieties of alfalfa ( Medicago sativa L.) were evaluated for saponin content. Two of the most promising varieties were chosen so that their effect on rumen fermentation and methane production could be studied. Initially, four Hohenheim gas tests (HGT) were performed to test the effect of increased levels of total saponin extracted from the two alfalfa cultivars (Kometa and Verko) – either as fresh material or ensiled – on the total bacteria, total protozoa, methane emission, and selected methanogenic population. Afterwards, seven particular saponins were extracted from fresh alfalfa of the Kometa variety and tested in 24 h batch fermentation culture experiments. RESULTS: The ensiled forms of both the Verko and Kometa alfalfa varieties seem to be good sources of saponin, capable of reducing methane production ( P < 0.05) without negatively affecting the basic fermentation parameters. Of the two evaluated varieties, Kometa was the most effective, and the saponins extracted from its roots 3‐Glc, 28‐Glc Ma, medicagenic saponin, and 3‐Glu Ma showed the most evident effect ( P = 0.0001). The most promising aerial alfalfa saponin in mitigating methane production was soysaponin I K salt ( P = 0.0001). Three mixtures of saponins were tested and all were found to mitigate methane production; however, one mixture (MIX 1) did so only to a very small extent. CONCLUSION: Saponins have been observed to have differing effects depending on their source; however, the mode of action of saponins depends on their direct or probable indirect effect on the microorganisms involved in methane production. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry