Effect of DL-malic acid supplementation on feed intake, methane emission, and rumen fermentation in beef cattle

The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary concentration of DL-malic acid (MA) on DMI, CH₄ emission, and rumen fermentation in beef cattle. Two Latin square experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, six beef heifers (19 ± 1 mo old) were assigned in a duplicated Latin square to 1...

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Published in:Journal of animal science 2009-03, Vol.87 (3), p.1048-1057
Main Authors: Foley, P.A, Kenny, D.A, Callan, J.J, Boland, T.M, O'Mara, F.P
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Acids
ad libitum feeding
Ammonia
Animal productions
Animal sciences
Animals
beef cattle
Biological and medical sciences
Cattle
Cattle - metabolism
Cattle - parasitology
Cattle - physiology
cattle feeding
Diet
Dietary Supplements
digestibility
Digestion - physiology
Digestive system
dosage
dry matter intake
Eating - physiology
Eukaryota - cytology
feed concentrates
feed intake
feed supplements
Female
Fermentation
Fermentation - physiology
Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology
gas emissions
grass silage
Malates - administration & dosage
Male
malic acid
methane
Methane - analysis
Methane - metabolism
pelleted feeds
Random Allocation
Rumen - parasitology
Rumen - physiology
rumen fermentation
rumen fluids
rumen protozoa
Terrestrial animal productions
Time Factors
Vertebrates
volatile fatty acids
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Summary:The objective of this study was to determine the effect of dietary concentration of DL-malic acid (MA) on DMI, CH₄ emission, and rumen fermentation in beef cattle. Two Latin square experiments were conducted. In Exp. 1, six beef heifers (19 ± 1 mo old) were assigned in a duplicated Latin square to 1 of 3 dietary concentrations of MA on a DMI basis (0%, MA-0; 3.75%, MA-3.75; or 7.5%, MA-7.5) over 3 periods. In Exp. 2, four rumen-fistulated steers (48 ± 1 mo old) were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary concentrations of MA (0%, MA-0; 2.5%, MA-2.5; 5.0%, MA-5.0; or 7.5%, MA-7.5) on a DMI basis, over 4 periods. Both experimental diets consisted of grass silage and pelleted concentrate (containing MA). Silage was fed ad libitum once daily (a.m.), whereas concentrate was fed twice daily (a.m. and p.m.) with the aim of achieving a total DMI of 40:60 silage:concentrate. In both Exp. 1 and 2, experimental periods consisted of 28 d, incorporating a 13-d acclimatization, a 5-d measurement period, and a 10-d washout period. In Exp. 1, enteric CH₄, feed apparent digestibility, and feed intake were measured over the 5-d measurement period. In Exp. 2, rumen fluid was collected on d 16 to 18, immediately before (a.m.) feeding and 2, 4, 6, and 8 h thereafter. Rumen pH was determined and samples were taken for protozoa count, VFA, and ammonia analysis. Enteric CH₄ emissions were estimated by using the sulfur hexafluoride tracer technique and feed apparent digestibility was estimated by using chromic oxide as an external marker for fecal output. In Exp. 1, increasing dietary MA led to a linear decrease in total DMI (P < 0.001) and total daily CH₄ emissions (P < 0.001). Compared with the control diet, the greatest concentration of MA decreased total daily CH₄ emissions by 16%, which corresponded to a 9% reduction per unit of DMI. Similarly, in Exp. 2, inclusion of MA reduced DMI in a linear (P = 0.002) and quadratic (P < 0.001) fashion. Increasing dietary MA led to a linear decrease in molar proportion of acetic (P = 0.004) and butyric acids (P < 0.001) and an increase in propionic acid (P < 0.001). Ruminal pH tended to increase (P = 0.10) with increasing dietary MA. Dietary inclusion of MA led to a linear (P = 0.01) decrease in protozoa numbers. Increasing supplementation with MA decreased CH₄ emissions, but DMI was also decreased, which could have potentially negative effects on animal performance.
ISSN:0021-8812
1525-3163
DOI:10.2527/jas.2008-1026