In situ ruminal digestibility and degradability of Macrocystis pyrifera and Sargassum spp. in bovine livestock

An alternative for the use of macroalgae as forage was explored since the t echnology for its processing is simple and accessible. In this study we det ermined the chemical composition, energy contribution, in situ degradabilit y and ruminal digestibility of Macrocystis pyrifera and Sargassum spp. Both algae are considered fodder with low energy contribution. The disappearanc e of dry matter in the rumen in a time lapse of 96 h yielded an 85% digesti bility estimate for M. pyrifera and 54.83% for Sargassum spp., with an esti mated rate of degradability of 0.03 and 0.05, respectively. Crude protein a nalysis indicated that the 8.40% estimated for M. pyrifera and 5.99% for Sa rgassum spp. are not degraded in the rumen (P < 0.01). In vitro analysis su ggests that these proteins may function as bypass proteins to be digested i n the abomasum. Mineral analysis confirmed a high yield by these macroalgae . The overall analysis supports the use of these species as a complementary meal for ruminants and M. pyrifera as a better choice because of its highe r nutritional value.