LAUSR

BACKGROUND Phytonutrient pellet, a new rumen enhancer was formulated from various tropical fruit peels containing phytonutrients (condensed tannins and saponins), MARABAC. To substantiate MARABAC (M) supplementation effect, it was supplemented with low and high levels of concentrate supplementation in a 4 × 4 Latin square design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement using beef cattle. Based on this investigation, the interesting findings were highlighted and reported herein. RESULTS The high level of concentrate supplementation (HCS) reduced the rumen pH remarkably, but was buffered and lifted up by the M supplementation. Rumen pH was reduced to 5.74 at 8 h, post-feeding upon receiving HCS and was buffered back to 6.19 with the M supplementation. The M supplementation exhibited additional-pronounced (P < 0.01) effect on improving nutrients digestibility and efficiency of microbial nitrogen supply (EMNS), mitigating of rumen methane production and reducing protozoal population. The rumen and fermentation end-products especially propionate production were enhanced (P < 0.05), whilst the rumen methane production was subsequently mitigated (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION The MARABAC is a new promising dietary rumen enhancer for future replacement of chemicals and antibiotics used to enhance the rumen fermentation. Nevertheless, more in vivo feeding trials should be further conducted to elucidate the insight impacts. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.