Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
VETERINARY MEDICINE AND SCIENCE, cilt.10, sa.2, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)
Background: In ruminants, fibrous feedstuffs must be included in the ration to ensure normal rumen physiology and to prevent the occurrence of rumen-related metabolic diseases. In addition to being a source of fibrous feedstuffs, they contain energy depending on the level of digestion and protein, minerals, fatty acids, minerals, and secondary compounds. Objectives: This study aimed to determine the nutrient matter, fatty acid, mineral and in vitro rumen fermentation values of the pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) plant. Methods: The pennyroyal plant samples were collected at different phenological stages (vegetative, full flowering, and seed bulking) from the natural meadow. The samples were analysed for core nutrients, condensed tannins, minerals, fatty acids, and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters. Results: The calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) contents and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters (total gas production and methane production, organic matter digestion (OMd), and the ammonia-nitrogen) decreased with increasing phenological stage (p < 0.05). The percentages of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, omega-3, omega-6 and polyunsaturated fatty (PUFA) acids of the pennyroyal plant linearly increased with the phenological stages (p < 0.05). However, butyric acid (BA) concentration in the in vitro ruminal fermentation fluid in the full flowering stage was lower than that of other stages (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Pennyroyal plant is a functional plant in terms of high values of ether extract (EE), alpha-linolenic acid, linoleic acid, n-ary sumation Sigma omega-3 fatty acids, Ca, Fe and Zn contents. For this plant to be used as animal feed, the stage when it has the highest values for Ca, Mg, S and Zn minerals and in vitro OMd were vegetative and full flowering. The stage with good potential as animal feed for n-ary sumation Sigma omega-3 and n-ary sumation Sigma omega-6 fatty acids and core nutrients (CP and EE) is the seed bulking stage.