Effect of Mannan Oligosaccharides (MOS) to Ameliorate Adverse Effects of Aflatoxin on In Vitro Rumen Fermentation of a Buffalo Diet

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of mannan oligosaccharides (MOS) in ameliorating adverse effects of aflatoxin on rumen fermentation in vitro. Five treatment groups, viz. T1: control (Basal feed); T2: T1+300 ppb Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1); T3: T2+0.05 MOS; T4: T2+0.1% MOS and T5: T2+0.2% MOS were prepared and incubated in vitro. The results revealed that truly degradable dry matter (TDDM), truly degradable organic matter (TDOM), gas production (GP), microbial biomass production (MBP) and partitioning factor (PF) values in aflatoxin contaminated group (T2) was lower (P<0.05) than those of other treatment groups. The TDDM, TDOM, GP, MBP and PF values in control group (T1) was higher than those of other treatment groups i.e. T2 to T4 and equal to T5 barring TDDM. The values of these parameters improved with increasing concentration of MOS. The TDOM, MBP and PF value of group T5 was statistically similar to that of control (T1). The total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), acetate (A), propionate (P) and butyrate (B) values in control group (T1) was higher (P<0.05) than those of other treatment groups i.e. T2 to T5. The TVFA, A, P and B value in aflatoxin contaminated T2 group was lower (P<0.05) than those of other treatment groups. The A:P ratio of T2 was higher (P<0.05) than T1. The A:P value of T1 was statistically similar to those of T3, T4 and T5. It was concluded that aflatoxin contamination of feed at 300 ppb level significantly affected the in vitro rumen fermentation in terms of reduced truly degradable dry matter, truly degradable organic matter, gas production, microbial biomass production, partitioning factor, total volatile fatty acids concentration and increased A:P ratio. Inclusion of mannan oligosaccharides to the aflatoxin contaminated feed partially ameliorated the adverse effects of aflatoxin on in vitro rumen fermentation parameters.