Metabolomic and morphologic surveillance reveals the impact of lactic acid-treated barley on in vitro ruminal fermentation

Tian, K. E; Aldian, Dicky; Yayota, Masato

doi:.0.0.0

Article

https://doi.org/10.5713/ab.23.0550 [Accepted] Published online May 7, 2024.

Metabolomic and morphologic surveillance reveals the impact of lactic acid-treated barley on in vitro ruminal fermentation

K. E Tian^1,2,3

, Dicky Aldian¹

, Masato Yayota^1,4,*

¹The United Graduate School of Agricultural Science, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan
²College of Animal Science and Technology, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715/402460, China
³Postdoctoral Workstation of Animal Science, Southwest University, Chongqing, 400715/402460, China
⁴Faculty of Applied Biological Science, Gifu University, Gifu, 501-1193, Japan

Correspondence: Masato Yayota, Tel: +81-58-293-2867, Fax: +81-58-293-2867, Email: yayota.masato.t4@f.gifu-u.ac.jp

Received: 27 December 2023 • Revised: 22 March 2024 • Accepted: 1 May 2024

Abstract

Objective
Lactic acid (LA) treatment of cereals is known to improve ruminant performance. However, changes in cereal nutrient levels and variations in rumen fermentation remain unclear. Method: This study was designed to compare the effects of 5% LA treatment on the trophic and morphological characteristics of barley and to discover the differences in rumen fermentation characteristics and metabolomes between LA-treated and untreated barley.
Results
Compared with those of untreated barley (BA), the dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), ash and water-soluble carbohydrate contents of barley plants treated with 5% LA for 48 h (BALA) decreased, but the resistant starch (RS) and non-fiber carbohydrate contents increased. Moreover, the amount of proteinaceous matrix in BA decreased in response to LA treatment. During in vitro fermentation, BALA had a greater pH but lower dry matter disappearance and ammonia, methane, and short-chain fatty acid levels than BA. The differential metabolites between BA and BALA were clustered into metabolic pathways such as purine metabolism, lysine degradation, and linoleic acid metabolism. Observable differences in ultrastructure between BALA and BA were noted during fermentation.
Conclusion
Lactic treatment altered barley nutrient content, including DM, CP, RS, ash, water-soluble carbohydrates and non-fiber carbohydrates, and affected barley ultrastructure. These variations led to significant and incubation time-dependent changes in the in vitro fermentation characteristics and metabolome.

Keywords: Barley; In vitro Fermentation; Lactic Acid; Metabolome; Morphology