Effect of Condensed Tannins Supplementation from Tanniferous Tree Leaves on Methane Production and Efficiency of Microbial Biomass Production In vitro

Effect of graded levels (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0% of DM) of condensed tannins (CT) from tanniferous tree leaves of A. heterophyllus, E. jambolana, F. infectoria; F. glomerata and P. guajava supplementation on gas production, methane production, substrate degradation and efficiency of microbial biomass production was studied on wheat straw based substrate using in vitro gas production test. Gas volume in 24 hours (ml/200 mg) was reduced (26.59–22.74) significantly (P< 0.05) as the CT level increased from 1.0–3.0%. Methane produced in 24 hours (ml/g DM) was also reduced (22.90–18.34) significantly (P<0.05) with CT supplementation from 1.0–3.0% levels. Average CH₄ (ml/g DM) produced in 24 hours was significantly higher in E. jambolana (22.45) followed by comparable CH₄ production among F. infectoria, P. guajava and F. glomerata (20.65, 20.61 and 20.58) and lowest methane production in A. heterophyllus (18.36) leaves. The percent reduction in methane production was highest (P<0.05) in P. guajava (17.21) followed by F. infectoria, A. heterophyllus and E. jambolana (14.25, 8.98 and 6.64) and least CH₄ reduction was evident in F. glomerata (3.36). Supplementation of CT at 1.0% level did not exert any adverse (P<0.05) effect on (46.96) truly degradable organic matter in rumen (TDOMR, %) irrespective of sources, however, CT levels from 1.5–3.0% significantly (P<0.05) reduced (43.50–40.18) the TDOMR (%). Efficiency of microbial biomass production (EMP) and partitioning factor (PF) were significantly (P<0.05) higher in A. heterophyllus (39.85 and 3.66). From present study it can be concluded that supplementation of condensed tannins from tanniferous tree leaves at 1 to 3% levels considerably reduces the gas production and methane production in in vitro gas production test.