Erciyes Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, cilt.17, sa.3, ss.283-289, 2020 (Hakemli Dergi)
The aim of the present in vitro study was to investigate the effects of laurel volatile oil, (Laurusnobilis L.)
on ruminal gas production, methane emission, organic acids and protozoa counts of Alfalfa herbage. The components
of laurel volatile oil were analysed. The effects of the addition of laurel volatile oil, at levels of 0, 50, 100 and 200 mg/L
(L0, L50, L100 and L200), to the rumen fluid on in vitroruminal digestion were determined using byin vitro gas production technique. The addition of 50 mg/L of laurel volatile oil decreased total gas and methane production (ml), organic
matter digestion (OMD), and metabolic energy (ME) values. On the other hand, the addition of this oil at levels of 100
mg/L and 200 mg/L was observed not to alter the in vitro total gas, methane (ml), ME and OMD values (P<0.05). While
ruminal ammonia nitrogen levels decreased in Groups L50 and L100, no alteration was detected in Group L200
(P<0.05). Ruminal protozoa counts did not affected by the addition of laurel volatile oil within a range of 50-200 mg/L
(P>0.05). The amounts of the total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) and butyric acid (BA) in the in vitro fermentation fluid of
alfalfa herbage were low in all groups. It was determined that laurel volatile oil (LaurusnobilisL.) caused dosedependent alterations in the in vitro digestion parameters.As a result, it has been determined that the active substances in Laurusnobilis L. essential oil may have regulation power on ruminal fermentation. It is thought that more research
is needed to reveal the effects of Laurusnobilis L. volatile in terms of both ecological and digestive system physiology
by using different feed types and essential oil combinations