Condensed tannins from Leucaena leucocephala hybrid and its potential in the manipulation of methanogenesis

Sustainable ruminant livestock production could have a large impact on the world’s ecosystem. Globally, ruminant livestock produces about 80 million tonnes of methane annually and this account for about 28% of anthropogenic methane emission. Methane is a product of anaerobic fermentation in the rumen and its production represents a pathway for the disposal of metabolic hydrogen. Methanogens play a major role in the production of methane in ruminants. The current study was conducted to examine the effects of condensed tannins of Leucaena leucocephala hybrid-Rendang (LLR) on methane production and the degradability of dry matter and nitrogen. The population of methanogens was also estimated to further understand the effect of condensed tannins from LLR on the manipulation of methanogenesis. The study was carried out using in vitro gas production test. Condensed tannins from L. leucocephala hybrid-Rendang were extracted and 0 (control), 10, 20 and 30 mg of condensed tannins were incubated with 500 mg of guinea grass for 24h. Total gas production, methane production, dry matter and nitrogen degradability were determined and the number of methanogens was estimated. The results revealed that condensed tannins at the level of 20 mg of 4% of dry matter had the potential to reduce methane production and population of methanogens in ruminants without adverse effects on the degradability of dry matter and nitrogen.

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