PROPERTIES AND EFFECTS OF CA-SAPONIFIED F ATTY-ACIDS OF PALM OIL IN THE DIGESTIVE-TRACT OF THE RUMINANT

Experiments in vitro applying the Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC) and experiments in vivo with adult wethers and fistulated sheep were conducted to evaluate the effects of Ca-saponified palmoil fatty acid fat supplementations on digestive and physiological parameters in rumi nant metabolism. There were only negligible effects of total volatile fatty acid concentration, digestibility of dietary fibrous components (ADF, NDF), retention time of rumen fluid and small feed particles dur ing fat supplementation periods. Numbers of protozoa, ammonia concentr ations, cellulolytic activity and the acetate/propionate ratio were ho wever reduced by increasing fat supplementations. The ether-extractabi lity of fatty acids was higher after incubation for several hours and in favour of more unsaturated fatty acids. The extractability of in si tu (Nylonbag Technique) applicated Casaponified fatty acids was lower for adapted sheep than for sheep fed a standardized basal ration witho ut fat supplementation.