Reduction in the in vitro ruminal methane production with the inclusion of Cucurbita foetidissima

Objective. This research aimed to evaluate the inclusion of Cucurbita foetidissima (BG) leaves as a partial or total substitution of alfalfa hay (AH) in beef cattle diets on in vitro methane output, gas kinetics and volatile fatty acids production. Materials and Methods. Five experimental treatments were formulated with the inclusion of BG as alfalfa hay (AH) substitute at 0, 25, 50, 75 and 100% in experimental treatments denominated CON (control), BG25, BG50, BG75 and BG100, respectively. Results. Lignin and organic matter decreased with BG inclusion (p<0.05). However, NDF, CT and TPC increased with higher levels of BG (p<0.05). Maximum gas production diminished with BG inclusion (p<0.05); whereas, microbial protein production, specific gas production rate and latency period were not affected (p>0.05). Methane production decreased linearly with BG inclusion (p<0.05). Nevertheless, CO2 production showed no changes with inclusion of graded levels of BG in the experimental treatments (p>0.05). Additionally, acetate and butyrate were not affected by BG inclusion (p>0.05); although, propionate increased linearly among treatments (p<0.05). Furthermore, inclusion of 75% of BG reduced 31% in vitro methane production without changes in CO2 production, suggesting an inhibition of endogenous methanogenesis. Conclusions. These results promote the inclusion of BG leaves as a potential and environmentally friendly forage source for beef cattle feeding.