Animal Science and Food Technology

Rumen methane production, microbial population, and blood metabolites in sheep fed jengkol (Archidendron jiringa) peel as a substitute for native grass

Nur Hidayah, Komang Gede Wiryawan, Sri Suharti
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Abstract

Agro-industrial and agricultural by-products can be converted into high-quality feed by ruminants. Jengkol (Archidendron jiringa) peel is an agricultural by-product characterised by a high crude fibre content. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether jengkol peel could be used as a substitute for native grass as a fibre source for ruminants. The variables investigated were rumen methane prediction, microbial population, and blood metabolites in sheep. The experiment used 15 male sheep with body weights ranging from 15 to 27 kg in a randomised complete block design with three treatments (0.0%, 15.0%, and 22.5% jengkol peel substitution) and five replications. Substituting native grass with up to 22.5% jengkol peel did not adversely affect (p > 0.05) the total bacterial population, nor did it alter (p > 0.05) methane prediction, but it reduced (p < 0.05) the protozoal population by 13.95% compared with the control, likely due to the saponin content of the peel. Moreover, substitution up to 22.5% did not negatively influence (p > 0.05) key blood metabolites such as glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, and high-density lipoproteins (HDL). It was concluded that jengkol peel can be substituted for native grass at levels up to 22.5% without detrimental effects on blood health or rumen bacterial populations, while reducing protozoal numbers

Keywords

in vivo study; jengkol by-product; native grass; rumen ecosystem; ruminants

Suggested citation
Hidayah, N., Wiryawan, K.G., & Suharti, S. (2025). Rumen methane production, microbial population, and blood metabolites in sheep fed jengkol (Archidendron jiringa) peel as a substitute for native grass. Animal Science and Food Technology, 16(4), 47-58. https://doi.org/10.31548/animal.4.2025.47
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