EFFECTS OF ORAL ADMINISTRATION OF FICUS THONINGII (STRANGLER FIG) STEM BARK EXTRACT ON RUMEN FERMENTATION PARAMETERS AND MICROBIAL COUNT OF WEST AFRICAN DWARF GOATS

Abstract

The study was aimed at investigating the effects of Ficus thoningii stem bark extract (FSBE) on rumen fermentation parameters and microbial count of West African dwarf goats in a 84-day feeding trial. Fifteen West African dwarf goats were divided into three treatment groups and administered FSBE at three doses of 0, 10 and 20ml/head/day for each of the three treatments respectively. Phytochemical composition of FSBE was determined. Rumen fluid of the goats was collected at the end of the study and the pH, total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), ammonia-nitrogen and microbial population were also determined. Results show that FSBE at 10 % concentration contains tannin, phenol, flavonoids, phytate, oxalate and saponin. The administration of FSBE did not significantly (p>0.05) affect pH, TVFA, and bacteria count. Ammonia-nitrogen decreased as the dosage of FSBE administered to the goats increased. The lowest (p<0.05) ammonia-nitrogen (40.72 and 45.33 mg/dL) concentration was obtained in goats administered 10 and 20ml dosage of FSBE respectively. FSBE increased (p<0.05) fungi count but reduced protozoa count at 10 and 20 ml doses. It was therefore concluded that FSBE can be used up to 20 mL dosage to manipulate rumen fermentation for reduced ammonia-nitrogen and protozoa population.