Adding Ginger Powder or Oil and its Effect on Nutritional Evaluation of Rams Rations

Abstract

The current experiment was carried out in Maryout Research Station, Desert Research Center (DRC) to evaluate the effects of additives ginger powder or oil on, feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen and water utilization, ruminal and blood parameters of Barki sheep. Four Barki rams of each group with an average live weight (36.37±0.99 kg) were individually kept and fed in metabolic cages to determine nutrient digestibility and nutritive value of the experimental rations. Feed offered was calculated to cover requirements according to recommended by Kearl (1982) Roughage concentrate ratio was 40:60. The treatments included: (G1) without any additives (Control), The (G2) and (G3) groups were additives (with 3 and 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day), respectively. Ginger powder was mixed daily by concentrate mixture to offer for daily basis. The (G4) group was orally administered by (2 ml ginger oil (GO) / head/ day). The data indicated that Values of dry roughage, concentrate intake and total DMI (g/ kg BW) were insignificant between groups. Organic matter and Crude protein digestibility were high significantly (P≤0.05) for G4 than those recorded for ram in G2, G1 and G3 groups. While values insignificantly differences in DM, CF and NDF digestibility between all groups .However, animals fed G4 had high insignificantly digestibility coefficients of DM, and CF than other groups. Data of nutritive values indicated that G4 recorded high significantly (P≤0.05) TDN, DCP vs. those other group. Rams in G4 group had high significantly (P≤0.05) value of TDN% and DCP% than other groups. Nitrogen intake (g/ kg BW) was insignificantly affected by treated with ginger forms. As for digested nitrogen (g/ kg BW) the data was insignificant among experimental groups, it seems that G4 had the highest values of digested nitrogen, while it was significantly differed with digested nitrogen as a percentage of intake. Nitrogen balance as ((g/ kg BW) or % of digested) showed that were insignificant between experimental groups; it seems that G4 had the highest while G2 had the lowest values of nitrogen balance. Water balance was slightly difference significantly (P≤0.05) among treatments; G1had the highest values of water balance as (ml/Kg BW) followed by G2, G3 while the lowest total water balance was for G4.Data of pH value was within the normal range, Either ruminal pH levels or TVFA,s (meq/100 ml) concentration were not significantly affected by the experimental additives . Ammonia nitrogen was affected by ginger both powder or oil additives and significantly decreased in groups fed ginger both powder or oil compared with the control group, while G4 take the lowest values than for G2 and G3 which fed with ginger powder additives. With regard to Protozoa number insignificantly decreased in groups fed ginger both powder or oil compared with the control group, while G4 take the lowest values than for G2 and G3 which fed with ginger powder additives. Results of blood biochemical showed that insignificant differences among groups for total proteins and albumin , Total proteins increased in G3 take the highest values than other groups while G4 take the lowest value , G4 showed the highest value of albumin while the lowest value recorded by (G1). While G3 had high (P≤0.05) globulin value than other groups. Animals fed ginger either powder or oil additives had highe IgG than control group. Total lipids and triglyceride values showed significant (P≤0.05) increase in animals G4 .Also (G2 and G4) had high Cholesterol than control group. Serum urea concentration decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in G4, while G3 high than other groups. (G1) recorded significant (P≤0.05) decrees for creatinine while G4 recorded high value of creatinine than other groups. ALT and AST activity showed that there were significant (P≤0.05) decreases for G1 While ALP and GGT decrease insignificant for G1 for other groups. In conclusion, ginger both powder or oil additives to ration of Barki rams had beneficial effects on digestibility coefficients, Nitrogen and water balance, Ruminal fermentation and some blood biochemical parameters.