Effect of Methanolic Extract of Pomegranate Peel on <i>in vitro</i> Rumen Fermentation Kinetics of Oil Seed Meals

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the effects of supplementing different levels (0, 0.5 and 1% of buffered rumen fluid) of methanolic extract of pomegranate peel, on rumen fermentation kinetics of four oil seed meals (soybean meal, cotton seed meal, rapeseed meal and sunflower seed meal), using <em>in vitro</em> gas production technique. The samples were incubated in syringes containing rumen liquor taken from three fistulated Iranian Ghezel rams for 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 24 and 36 h. Results showed that, addition of methanolic extract of pomegranate peel led to significant increase in gas production volume in all incubation times and all of oil seed meals as well. Amount of gas production, also increased by increasing dose of the extract. Also, amounts of <em>a</em> (the gas production from the immediately soluble fraction), <em>b</em> (the gas production from the insoluble fraction) and <em>a + b</em> (the potential gas production) in all of tested oil seed meals increased by increasing pomegranate peel extract doses. Adding pomegranate peel extract resulted in increase volatile fatty acids (VFA) production. Production of VFA increased significantly by the level of the extract supplementation. In conclusion, it is suggested that, adding methanolic extract of pomegranate peel can be lead to higher ruminal fermentation and VFA production in ruminants.