Effect of Adding Flaxseed Essential Oil in Alfalfa Ensiling Process on Ruminal Fermentation Kinetics

The experiment's purpose was to evaluate the effect of adding different levels of essential flaxseed oils (FEO) on the chemical composition and in vitro degradability of alfalfa silage. Treatments were alfalfa silage with no additive (control) or treated with 60 or 120 ml/kg DM of essential flaxseed oils (FEO60, FEO120, respectively). Whole plant alfalfa was ensiled for 60 d in triplicate laboratory-scale tubes. Dry matter (DM) content was more significant for FEO120 than control. Compared with the control, neutral detergent fiber (NDF) concentration was decreased in FEO120. Adding essential oils to the silage significantly decreased silage pH compared with untreated silage (P < .0001). Interestingly increased (DM and OM digestibility) for all the silages containing essential oil compared with untreated silage. The addition of flaxseed essential oil to alfalfa silage increased the rate of disappearance of organic matter (OM) and dry matter (DM) in all treatments compared to the control treatment. The degradability potential of alfalfa silage has increased in treatments containing FEO (120 mg/kg DM). In general, the obtained data show that the FEO had a positive effect on the quality of alfalfa silage and its nutritional characteristics.

Automated summary

The purpose of this experiment was to evaluate the impact of adding different levels of essential flaxseed oils (FEO) on the chemical composition and in vitro degradability of alfalfa silage. The results showed that adding FEO significantly reduced silage pH and increased the rate of disappearance of dry matter and organic matter. Overall, FEO had a positive effect on the quality and nutritional characteristics of alfalfa silage.