Effects Of Ginger Powder On Digestion And Absorption Of Nutrients And Antioxidant Status Of Beef Cattle

Three experiments were designed to study the effects of ginger powder on ruminal fermentation, digestion and absorption of nutrients and antioxidant status of beef cattle. Four Lu-xi cattle fitted with permanent rumen, duodenum and terminal ileum fistula were used. The beef cattle were randomly allocated into individual pens and assigned to a 4×4 Latin square with the following feeding diets: 1) basal diet (Control), 2) Control diet + 0.5 g/kg ginger powder, 3) Control diet + 1.0 g/kg ginger powder, 4) Control diet + 1.5 g/kg ginger powder.Exp.1 The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of ginger powder on PH, NH3-N, VFA and MCP of beef cattle. The results of this experiment indicated: Throughout the trial period, along with ginger powder to add barely affected the PH of rumen fluid (P>0.05). Added ginger powder reduced the ammonia nitrogen concentration of rumen fluid, the concentration of rumen ammonia nitrogen concentration was decreased and then increased again stable trend, added the ginger in the diet fed got the minimum value in 9th day and then began to rise and remain at stable state. Added 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg ginger increased the VFA concentration of rumen fluid, added 0.5 g/kg ginger reduced the VFA concentration of rumen fluid. 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg ginger reduced the ratio of acetic acid and butyric acid of rumen fluid, increased the proportion of propionate; Added 1.5 g/kg ginger reduced the ratio of acetic acid and butyric acid of rumen fluid, increased the proportion of propionate. Added 0.5 and 1.5 g/kg ginger increased the concentration of MCP of rumen fluid (P>0.05), 1.0 g/kg ginger significantly increased MCP concentration of rumen fluid (P<0.05).Exp.2 The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of ginger powder on digestion and absorption of nutrients and the flow flux of chyme. The results showed that ginger powder reduced the NDF content of ileum and rectum, while 1.0 and 1.5 g/kg ginger significantly decreased(P<0.05)ADF content of rumen and rectum. Added 1.0 g/kg ginger powder to the diet significantly increased the flow flux of DM, NDF, ADF, OM and CP in digestive tract and 1.5 g/kg ginger powder significantly reduced (P<0.05) the flow flux of EE in the rectum and ileum. Other treatments had no effect (P>0.05) on the flow flux of the nutrients. The nutrients digestibility in the digestive tract was significantly decreased (P<0.05) by 1.0 g/kg ginger powder. In conclusion, low doses of ginger powder (0.5 g/kg and 1.0 g/kg) could improve the flow flux of nutrients, reduce the digestion and absorption of nutrients, while high doses of ginger powder (1.5 g/kg) could decrease nutrients flow flux, improve digestion and absorption of nutrients of beef cattle.Exp.3 The objective of the experiment was to study the effects of ginger powder on SOD, GSH-Px, T-AOC and MDA of serum. The results of this experiment indicated: 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg ginger decreased serum T-SOD and GSH-Px activity of beef cattle, reduced the total antioxidant capacity and increased of serum MDA. Add 1.5 g/kg ginger increased serum T-SOD and GSH-Px activity of beef cattle, increased total antioxidant capacity, reduced serum MDA, but the difference was not significant (P>0.05). Analysis from the point in time, the T-SOD, GSH-Px and T-AOC began to decline after adding the ginger, got the minimum value in 7th day and began to increased on day 14. With the ginger added, the serum antioxidant capacity of beef cattle is gradually increased.From the mean serum antioxidant capacity in the entire experimental period of beef cattle, added 0.5 and 1.0 g/kg ginger root reduced the antioxidant capacity of beef cattle, and added 1.5 g/kg ginger increased serum antioxidant capacity of beef cattle, but the differences was not significant (P>0.05).