# Effects of Centella asiatica Extracts on Rumen In Vitro Fermentation Characteristics and Digestibility

## TL;DR

This study examines how Centella asiatica extract affects rumen fermentation and digestibility in ruminants using in vitro experiments.

## Contribution

The study identifies the optimal dosage of Centella asiatica extract for enhancing rumen fermentation without negatively affecting digestibility.

## Key findings

- CAE increased total gas, methane, and volatile fatty acid production in rumen fermentation.
- CAE supplementation did not affect in vitro dry matter, crude protein, or fiber degradability.
- 3.05% CAE was identified as the optimal dosage for enhancing fermentation without adverse effects.

## Abstract

Centella asiatica has the potential to be utilized as a feed additive for ruminants because of its antiprotozoal, antibacterial, and antioxidant effects. However, studies evaluating C. asiatica as a feed additive are limited. Two experiments aimed to determine its optimal dosage and measure rumen degradability. The objective of the first experiment was to identify the effects of CAE on gas production and determine the optimal dosage of CAE as feed supplements. The CAE increased the total gas, methane, and total volatile fatty acid production. Here, 3.05% supplementation of CAE was chosen as the optimal dosage. The objective of the second experiment was to evaluate the effects of CAE on the rumen’s in vitro degradability. The in vitro dry matter, crude protein, and neutral detergent fiber degradability were not influenced by CAE supplementation. In conclusion, CAE has the potential to be utilized as a rumen fermentation-facilitating feed additive for ruminants.

Two in vitro experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of Centella asiatica extract (CAE) supplementation on the rumen’s in vitro fermentation characteristics. In the first experiment, CAE with five concentrations (C: 0%; T1: 3.05%; T2: 6.1%; T3: 12.2%; and T4: 24.4% CAE in diet) was supplemented in the rumen fluid and incubated for 6, 24, and 48 h to determine the optimal dosage. The total gas and methane production increased in all incubation times, and the total volatile fatty acids increased at 6 and 48 h. Ammonia nitrogen, branched chain volatile fatty acids, acetate, and butyrate were increased by CAE supplementation. T1 was chosen as the optimal dosage based on the total volatile fatty acids, branched chain volatile fatty acids, and ammonia nitrogen production. The CAE with the identified optimal dosage (T1) was incubated to identify its effect on the rumen’s in vitro degradability in the second experiment. The CAE supplementation did not influence the in vitro dry matter, crude protein, or neutral detergent fiber degradability. In conclusion, CAE has no CH4 abatement or digestion promotion effects. However, CAE could be utilized as a feed additive to increase the rumen’s total volatile fatty acid production without an adverse effect on the in vitro dry matter, crude protein, or neutral detergent fiber degradability.