The Economic Effect of a Daily Supplementation of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.,) on Rumen Fermentation and Lactating Goats Performance

• Main Authors: Ayman A. Hassan, Mohamed H.Yacout, Mohamed S. Khalel, Turek Rahoveanu Adrian, Mocuta Dorina, Turek Rahoveanu Magdalena
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Dunarea de Jos University of Galati 2016-07-01
• Series: Risk in Contemporary Economy
• Online Access: http://www.rce.feaa.ugal.ro/images/stories/RCE2016/HassanYacoutTurekMocutaTurek.pdf

The present study was performed to investigate the effect of a daily supplementation of carob pods (Ceratonia siliqua L.,) on rumen fermentation and milk production of goats. Thirty two lactating does (weight ranged from 33�35 kg), aged 2-4 years old and from 2nd to 3th lactation season were randomly allocated into four similar groups (8 animals each). The animals were fed with isocaloric and isonitrogenous diets. Carob pods was daily supplemented at the rate of 0, 25, 50 or 100g /h/d. The lactating trial was extended for 75 days where goats were fed individually and fresh water was available at all time. Rumen fermentation parameters were monitored on three fistulated adult does. Results indicated that volatile fatty acids concentration, rumen volume, microbial protein synthesis and total bacteria counts were highest (P<0.05) with C50 group compared with other groups. While, ammonia-N concentration and protozoa count were lower (P<0.05) with C100 group compared with other groups. Milk production, protein and fat percentage were better (P<0.05) for C50 and C25 groups than those of C100 group. Supplementation of Carob pods at 50 g caused a marked (P<0.05) increase in the enzymatic antioxidant activity (SOD, CAT, GPx, and GSH) but had a significant decrease (P<0.05) in TBARS compared to control group. Thus, it could be concluded that daily supplement of 50 g carob pods could be reasonable amount for goats performance without any adverse effect.