›› 2013, Vol. 40 ›› Issue (1): 103-107.

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Effects of Gross Saponins from Tribulus terrestris on Ruminal Fermentation Characteristics in vitro

FENG Zhi-hua1, GAO Yan-xia1, GONG Jian-gang2, LI Jian-guo1   

  1. 1. College of Animal Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071000, China;
    2. College of Food Science and Technology, Agricultural University of Hebei, Baoding 071000, China
  • Received:2012-08-06 Online:2013-01-20 Published:2013-01-14

Abstract: The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of gross saponin from Tribulus terrestris(GSTT) on ruminal fermentation characteristics in vitro using dual-flow continuous culture system.It was concluded that adding with 0,0.15,0.30 and 0.60 g/L of GSTT had no effect on ruminal pH and the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA)(P>0.05). Molar proportion of acetate,acetate to propionate ratio as well as NH3-N concentration significantly decreased(P<0.05),molar proportion of propionate significantly increased(P<0.05) with the concentration of GSTT adding.Theses results indicated that GSTT had a potential to be used as a rumen modulator to change the fermentation patterns and improve the utilization efficiency of energy and protein. Overall,it was suitable for supplementing 0.30 g/L GSTT.

Key words: Tribulus terrestris; saponins; dual-flow continuous culture; fermentation characteristics

CLC Number: