Interactive Effects of the Feeding of Leucaena Leaves and Curcumin on Macronutrient Digestion and Nitrogen Balance in Beef Cattle
2011
Abstract: Problem statement: The feeding of curcumin to beef cattle has been shown to increase
nitrogen retention and decrease the apparent digestibility of acid detergent fiber in beef cattle. It was
suggested that there could be interactions between the effects of curcumin and the composition of the
ration. Approach: In this study with beef cattle, concentrates without or with curcumin and low or
high level of leucaena leaves were fed to assess the possible interactive effects. Apparent
macronutrient digestibility and nitrogen balance were measured. Results: When the ration was
curcumin free, an increase in the intake of leucaena leaf meal raised the group mean of apparent
digestibility of dry matter, organic matter, crude fat, neutral and acid detergent fiber, but the opposite
effect was seen for the curcumin-containing rations. Nitrogen retention was raised by extra intake of
leucaena leaf meal, but only when the ration did not contain curcumin. The feeding of curcumin intake
elevated nitrogen retention, the effect being greater for the ration with low content of leucaena.
Conclusion: This study confirms that curcumin feeding has a stimulatory effect on nitrogen retention
in beef cattle. The composition of the ration may determine the magnitude of the inhibitory effect of
curcumin on the digestibility of acid detergent fiber.
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