Effects of Graded Levels of Mimosa (Acacia mearnsii) Tannin Purified with Organic Solvents on Gas, Methane, and In Vitro Organic Matter Digestibility of Eragrostis curvula Hay

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Enteric methane emission serves as one of the major contributors to global warming, and is responsible for the loss of an appreciable amount of dietary energy. Utilization of Mimosa tannin in reducing methane yield in ruminants is well documented. However, its supplementation in large amounts affects rumen fermentation and digestibility, attributed to the presence of a high number of hydrolysable tannins and other non-tannin substances, which poison rumen microorganisms. Purification might remove the toxic compounds, thereby decreasing the methane without affecting the digestibility of the diet. In this study, mimosa tannin was purified with organic solvents (ethyl acetate and pentanol) using the Soxhlet extraction method, and the influence of different concentrations (10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg DM) of the purified tannins on gas, methane, and in vitro organic matter digestibility of Eragrostis curvula hay were evaluated in comparison with the same levels of unpurified tannin. The addition of lower levels of ethyl acetate and pentanol purified mimosa tannin extracts reduced in vitro gas and methane production without adverse effects on dry matter digestibility. ABSTRACT: The higher contribution of methane (CH(4)) to global anthropogenic potential is a cause of concern to livestock producers. Mimosa tannin gained recent acceptance as an additive for enteric CH(4) mitigation. However, rumen fermentation and digestibility are compromised when large quantities of tannins are supplemented due to the presence of hydrolysable tannin and other non-tannin molecules in mimosa extract, which are toxic to animals. Purification could eliminate the toxins, and thus, reduce the CH(4) yield without negative effects on rumen microbial activities and organic matter degradation. The Soxhlet extraction method was used to purify the tannin using organic solvents (ethyl acetate and pentanol). The unpurified, ethyl acetate purified, and pentanol purified tannins at the dosages of 10, 20, 30, and 40 g/kg DM of substrate (Eragrostis curvula hay) were evaluated for gas, CH(4), and in vitro organic matter digestibility (IVOMD) in comparison with substrate alone. Gas kinetics were tested using a simple exponential model with lag. The results showed that compared with control, gas, CH(4), IVOMD, CH(4)/gas, CH(4)/IVOMD, gas/IVOMD, asymptotic gas volume (v), and rate of gas production (k) decreased (p < 0.01) linearly with the increase in the inclusion levels of all tannin extracts. Also, ethyl acetate purified and pentanol purified tannin extracts reduced gas and CH(4) at lower dosage (30 g/kg DM) compared to unpurified tannin extract at a higher level (40 g/kg). Pentanol purified tannin was more effective at lower dosage (20 g/kg DM) in terms of CH(4)/gas and CH(4)/IVOMD. It was concluded that the purification of mimosa tannin with ethyl acetate and pentanol reduced potential gas production and CH(4) without much reduction in substrate digestibility when up to 30 g/kg DM of feed was used. Lower inclusion levels of ethyl acetate and pentanol purified extracts could give a similar result with a higher dosage of unpurified tannin.