Effect of Diatomaceous Earth (DE) to Ameliorate Adverse Effects of Aflatoxin B1 on In Vitro Rumen Fermentation of a Buffalo Diet

Abstract

The present investigation was undertaken to study the effect of diatomaceous earth (DE) in ameliorating adverse effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on rumen fermentation in vitro. Five treatment groups, viz. T1: control (Basal feed); T2: T1+300 ppb AFB1; T3: T2+0.33% DE; T4: T2+0.50% DE and T5: T2+1.0% DE 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 control group (T1) was higher (P<0.05) than those of other treatment groups i.e. T2 to T5. The TDDM, TDOM, GP, MBP and PF values in aflatoxin contaminated group (T2) was lower (P<0.05) than those of other treatment groups. The values of these parameters improved with increasing concentration of DE. The total volatile fatty acids (TVFAs), 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 TVFA, A, P and B values improved with increasing level of DE, however, these values were lower (P<0.05) than control. The A:P ratio among various treatment groups (T1 to T5) did not vary significantly. It was concluded that aflatoxin contamination of feed (wheat straw) 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 and total volatile fatty acids concentration. Inclusion of diatomaceous earth to the aflatoxin contaminated feed partially ameliorated the adverse effects of aflatoxin on in vitro rumen fermentation parameters.