Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets
Abstract Background In times of high feed costs and severe feed competition, it is crucial to explore alternative feedstuffs. Identifying alternative feed sources is essential for developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to address challenges in livestock production and economic constrain...
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BMC
2025-03-01
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| Series: | BMC Veterinary Research |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04684-1 |
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| author | Narirat Unnawong Anusorn Cherdthong Sompong Chankaew Teppratan Rakvong Chaichana Suriyapha Chanon Suntara Pin Chanjula Pongsatorn Gunun Nirawan Gunun Sineenart Polyorach |
| author_facet | Narirat Unnawong Anusorn Cherdthong Sompong Chankaew Teppratan Rakvong Chaichana Suriyapha Chanon Suntara Pin Chanjula Pongsatorn Gunun Nirawan Gunun Sineenart Polyorach |
| author_sort | Narirat Unnawong |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Background In times of high feed costs and severe feed competition, it is crucial to explore alternative feedstuffs. Identifying alternative feed sources is essential for developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to address challenges in livestock production and economic constraints. This study evaluates the effects of replacing corn with different levels of winged bean tuber (WBT) in concentrate mixtures on feed intake, feed utilization, and rumen fermentation in Thai native beef cattle. Animals were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with WBT replacing corn in the concentrate mixture at levels of 0, 33, 67, and 100%. Results Replacing corn with WBT (0–100%) in the concentrate diet did not affect (p > 0.05) dry matter, organic matter, or crude protein intake. However, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% replacement levels. Although nutrient digestibility remained unchanged, ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, and protozoal population increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% WBT replacement levels. However, WBT replacement did not significantly affect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. As the level of WBT increased in the concentrate diet, the concentration of propionic acid (C3) increased, but the amount of acetic acid (C2) and the ratio of C2 to C3 decreased linearly (p < 0.05) without shifting the acetic concentration. Additionally, replacing corn with WBT in the concentrate diet had no effect on nitrogen balance. Conclusion The WBT can be used as an alternative for corn grain up to 100% in ruminant diets without changing feed digestibility, the BUN, and nitrogen balance. It can also improve the fermentation characteristics in the rumen. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-db4e9439a0a044f28c53bd7eea5088cc |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1746-6148 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | BMC |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMC Veterinary Research |
| spelling | doaj-art-db4e9439a0a044f28c53bd7eea5088cc2025-08-20T02:08:09ZengBMCBMC Veterinary Research1746-61482025-03-0121111010.1186/s12917-025-04684-1Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle dietsNarirat Unnawong0Anusorn Cherdthong1Sompong Chankaew2Teppratan Rakvong3Chaichana Suriyapha4Chanon Suntara5Pin Chanjula6Pongsatorn Gunun7Nirawan Gunun8Sineenart Polyorach9Tropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityTropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityDepartment of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityTropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityTropical Feed Resources Research and Development Center (TROFREC), Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Khon Kaen UniversityAnimal Production Innovation and Management Division, Faculty of Natural Resources, Prince of Songkla UniversityDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Natural Resources, Rajamangala University of Technology IsanDepartment of Animal Science, Faculty of Technology, Udon Thani Rajabhat UniversityDepartment of Animal Production Technology and Fisheries, Faculty of Agricultural Technology, King Mongkut’s Institute of Technology LadkrabangAbstract Background In times of high feed costs and severe feed competition, it is crucial to explore alternative feedstuffs. Identifying alternative feed sources is essential for developing cost-effective and sustainable solutions to address challenges in livestock production and economic constraints. This study evaluates the effects of replacing corn with different levels of winged bean tuber (WBT) in concentrate mixtures on feed intake, feed utilization, and rumen fermentation in Thai native beef cattle. Animals were randomly assigned to a 4 × 4 Latin square design, with WBT replacing corn in the concentrate mixture at levels of 0, 33, 67, and 100%. Results Replacing corn with WBT (0–100%) in the concentrate diet did not affect (p > 0.05) dry matter, organic matter, or crude protein intake. However, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% replacement levels. Although nutrient digestibility remained unchanged, ruminal pH, ammonia-nitrogen concentration, and protozoal population increased linearly (p < 0.05) at 67% and 100% WBT replacement levels. However, WBT replacement did not significantly affect blood urea nitrogen (BUN) concentrations. As the level of WBT increased in the concentrate diet, the concentration of propionic acid (C3) increased, but the amount of acetic acid (C2) and the ratio of C2 to C3 decreased linearly (p < 0.05) without shifting the acetic concentration. Additionally, replacing corn with WBT in the concentrate diet had no effect on nitrogen balance. Conclusion The WBT can be used as an alternative for corn grain up to 100% in ruminant diets without changing feed digestibility, the BUN, and nitrogen balance. It can also improve the fermentation characteristics in the rumen.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04684-1Alternative feedBeef cattleEnergy sourceRumen fermentationTuberous plant |
| spellingShingle | Narirat Unnawong Anusorn Cherdthong Sompong Chankaew Teppratan Rakvong Chaichana Suriyapha Chanon Suntara Pin Chanjula Pongsatorn Gunun Nirawan Gunun Sineenart Polyorach Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets BMC Veterinary Research Alternative feed Beef cattle Energy source Rumen fermentation Tuberous plant |
| title | Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets |
| title_full | Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets |
| title_fullStr | Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets |
| title_full_unstemmed | Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets |
| title_short | Winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in Thai native beef cattle diets |
| title_sort | winged bean tuber as a novel alternative to corn meal in concentrate mixture in thai native beef cattle diets |
| topic | Alternative feed Beef cattle Energy source Rumen fermentation Tuberous plant |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s12917-025-04684-1 |
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