Investigation of Potential Nutritive Values of Some Tree Leaves and Its Extracts by Using In Vitro Gas Production

This study was performed to assess the nutritional value of specific tree species (laurus nobilis, albizia julibrissin, glycyrrhiza glabra, salix alba, robinia pseudoacacia, liquidambar orientalis, juniperus communis, quercus coccifera, cedrus libani, arbutus andrachne) growing in different regions of Kahramanmaras, besides the gas production of the leaves and their extracts at various dose levels (0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL). The ADF and NDF contents were differed between 16.20% - 32.47% and 28%-49.66%, respectively. Liquidambar orientalis leaves had the highest values for both characteristics, whereas Salix alba leaves had the lowest values. The CP value, varied between 7.94% and 25.94%. Liquidambar orientalis leaves had the highest concentration of condensed tannins, 16.19%, and Albizia julibrissin leaves had the lowest concentration, 2.12%. ME and OMD values ranged from 6.72 to 10.24 MJ kg(-1) and 43.68 to 65.72%, respectively. The GP content of the samples varied between 22.25-40.03 mL 200(-1) mg(DM). According to the study's various dose, GP and CH4 production significantly increased when compared to the control group. The GP of leaf extracts for the control group was 44.89 mL, and doses at, 0.6, 1.2, and 1.8 mL were found; 51.05-105.96 mL, 52.71-106.26 mL, and 47.33-106.85 mL correspondingly. Methane production (%) concentration for the control group were 16.54%, and at 0.6, 1.2 and 1.8 mL doses were observed 16.64%-34.40%, 22.44%-34.80% and 18.41%-31.46% respectively. Significant relationships between CH4 production, ADF, and NDF have been found.