# Effects of Palm Oil Deodorizer Distillate on the Ruminal Environment of Sheep

## TL;DR

This study examines how palm oil deodorizer distillate affects sheep digestion, finding it can be a cost-effective supplement if used carefully.

## Contribution

The study evaluates the effects of varying levels of palm oil deodorizer distillate on sheep ruminal environment and digestibility.

## Key findings

- POD up to 25 g/kg dry matter slightly affects ruminal fermentation but remains viable.
- Higher POD levels hinder fibrous material breakdown and dry matter digestibility.
- Microbial diversity remains largely unchanged despite POD supplementation.

## Abstract

Numerous palm oil byproducts are already employed as livestock energetic feed supplements, and the inclusion of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) presents a potential addition to cost-effective feed alternatives. However, the presence of high-fatty-acid diets could alter the ruminal environment, potentially influencing the digestive efficiency. This study aimed to assess the impact of POD on the digestive system of sheep. Twenty sheep were fed different diets containing varying amounts of palm oil deodorizer, and their rumen fluid was analyzed for the microbial composition and digestive efficiency. The microbial community in the rumen was primarily composed of Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, with minor changes occurring when the POD was added to the diet. Up to 25 g of POD per kilogram of dry matter negatively affected the ruminal fermentation or apparent digestibility, but not to a high degree, indicating that POD is a viable and cost-effective supplement for sheep diets. However, higher POD levels hindered the breakdown of fibrous material in the rumen and overall dry matter digestibility. These findings suggest that while POD can be a beneficial and economical option for sheep nutrition, carefully considering its dosage is crucial for maintaining optimal digestive function and nutrient utilization, offering valuable insights for sustainable and efficient livestock feeding practices.

This study aimed to assess the impact of palm oil deodorizer distillate (POD) on the ruminal environment, including (i) microbial community, (ii) ruminal degradability, and (iii) apparent digestibility in sheep. The data used were derived from twenty rumen-cannulated sheep fed five isoproteic and isofiber diets based on elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum. cv. Roxo) silage supplemented with 0, 25, 50, 75, or 100 g kg−1 POD on a dry matter (DM) basis. Rumen fluid samples were collected three hours after feeding directly from the ventral sac of the rumen via a cannula and then subjected to DNA extraction, which was subsequently used for 16S rDNA amplification, followed by sequencing and diversity analysis. In this study, the microbial diversity was dominated by Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes, followed by Euryarchaetoa, Actinobacteria, and Tenericutes, in the ruminal environment, and was slightly modified when supplemented with the POD up to 100 g/kg (10%), leading to only a slight decrease in the diversity index. The ruminal degradability, ruminal fermentation parameters, and apparent digestibility were slightly compromised by the inclusion of up to 25 g of POD per kg of DM, and larger inclusions interfered with the ruminal degradability of fibrous fractions and the apparent digestibility of dry matter. This lipid supplement showed good results for feeding sheep and is an inexpensive and abundant alternative in the regional market.