Effect of feeding Artocarpus heterophyllus, Terminalia bellerica and Carica papaya plant leaves on rumen microbial enzymes and growth performances in Assam hill goat

In this study, three medicinal plants viz. Artocarpus heterophyllus (Jackfruit), Terminalia bellerica (Bhumura) and Carica papaya (Papaya) were investigated for their effect on the rumen enzyme profiles and growth performances in Assam hill goat. A total of eighteen (18) Assam Hill (local) goats of 3–4 months of age were procured and reared in the Experimental Animal Shed, Department of Veterinary Physiology, College of Veterinary Science, Assam Agricultural University, Khanapara, Guwahati, Assam, India. The animals were divided into three groups viz. control receiving substrate ration, T₁ with plant leaves @ 5% level and T₂ groups @ 10% level of total mixed ration (TMR). The duration of the experiment was 90 days (from March, 2016 to May, 2016). The fibre degrading microbial enzymes viz. carboxymethyl cellulase, endoxylanase, ß-glucosidase were estimated in rumen liquor of the animals during the study period and rumen liquor analysis revealed that out of the three rumen fibrolytic enzymes, Carboxymethyl cellulase showed better (P<0.05) enzyme activity in T₂ group (2.83 ± 0.01 μmol glucose/ml/h). The average body weight (kg per animal) recorded in the present experiment showed significant trend (P<0.01) from 0 to 90 days of experiment where higher value (9.62 ± 0.43 kg/animal) was obtained in T₂ group. From this study, it can be concluded that these three medicinal plants viz., A. heterophyllus, C. papaya, T. bellerica do not have any harmful effect on normal functioning of the rumen. Thus, the plant leaves can be incorporated in the diet up to 10% of the total mixed ration.

HIGHLIGHTS

The medicinal plants viz., A. heterophyllus, T. bellerica and C. papaya, are important for normal functioning of the rumen of animals.

These leaves can be incorporated in the diet of animals up to 10% of the total mixed ration.