Effect of the combination of Pennisetum sinese and sprouting corn bran on rumen fermentation characteristics

In order to understand the combined effect of Pennisetum sinese and sprouting corn bran, combinations of P. sinese and sprouting corn bran were mixed in the proportions of 100∶0, 75∶25, 50∶50, 25∶75, and 0∶100, respectively, and rumen fermentation in vitro was adopted to evaluate combination effects by analyzing total volatile fatty acids concentration, organic matter degradation rate, neutral detergent degradation rate, and acid detergent degradation rate after 24 h and 48 h. At 48 h, the degradation rate of organic matter increased significantly with increasing sprouting corn bran ratio (P<0.01). With the 0∶100 combination, the neutral detergent degradation rate was the highest and showed a significant difference (P<0.05). At 48 h, the degradation rate of acid detergent fibers in the combination group was significant higher than that in the single feed group (P<0.05). At 24 h, as the proportion of sprouting corn bran increased, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid concentrations tended to increase. At 48 h, with the combination of 25∶75, acetic acid, propionic acid, and butyric acid concentrations were the highest. Organic materials, neutral detergent fibers, and crude fibers were combined at a ratio of 75∶25 and 50∶50 to have a positive combined effect at 24 h and 48 h. The 25∶75 combination exhibited a negative combined effect. The combined effect of propionic acid and butyric acid with the 50∶50 combination was highest at 24 h and 48 h. The best combined effect of acetic acid at 24 h was seen with 75∶25 combination. In summary, combinations of P. sinese and sprouting corn bran in the range of (75∶25)~(50∶50) produced the best results.