Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of activated carbon(AC) and oak charcoal as additives for high concentrate diets on in vitro and in vivo nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics. In experiment one, AC a...
Two experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of activated carbon(AC) and oak charcoal as additives for high concentrate diets on in vitro and in vivo nutrient digestibility and ruminal fermentation characteristics. In experiment one, AC and oak charcoal were added at the levels of 0, 0.5, and 1.0 % to experimental diet (roughage/concentrate ratio ; 2/8) in in vitro trial, with five replicates per treatment.
Nine 1.5-yr-old Korean native goats were employed in experiment two, additives were added at the levels of 1.0% of activated carbon, 1.0% of charcoal to experimental diet (roughage/concentrate ratio ; 2/8), with three replicates per treatment.
Results obtained from experiment one, and two were summarized as follows.
Experiment one, Ruminal degradation of dry matter, crude protein, crude fat, NDF, and ADF in AC diets tended to increase than in non-AC diet. But charcoal did not affect dry matter and nutrient disappearance. The AC and charcoal did not affect the ruminal pH. Ammonia-N tended to increase by adding AC(P<0.05). But charcoal did not affect the ammonia-N. Total VFA tended to decrease by adding AC(P<0.05). Although it was not significant, propionate concentration tended to increase in AC diets. but molar percentage of acetate, butyrate and, valerate and were not affected by adding AC. Acetate/propionate ratio tended to decrease in AC diets. Ruminal gas production tended to be increased in the AC and charcoal diets(P 〈0.05).
Experiment two, ruminal degradation of dry matter, and crude protein in AC and charcoal diets tended to increase compared to reference diet. However, no tendency in ruminal degradation of crude fat was observed. Ruminal degradation of NDF in AC diets tended to be increased than in non-AC diet. Although it was not significant, ADF tended to be increased in AC and charcoal diets. AC and charcoal did not affect the ruminal pH and Ammonia-N. Concentration of total VFA and butyrate tended to be decreased by adding AC and charcoal(P<0.05). Although it was not significant, acetate/propionate rayio tended to decrease in AC and charcoal diets.
Although there appeared some beneficial effects in adding AC and charcoal to ruminant diets in this study, more works could be needed with AC before we can make clear conclusion on the use of AC and charcoal in the ruminant diets.