A study to investigate the anti-methanogenic properties of black tea waste in dairy cows in order to achieve a cleaner environment

In this study, the authors substituted alfalfa hay with factory black tea waste (FBTW) in dairy cattle total mixed ration (TMR) and subsequently tested its effects on in-vitro carbon dioxide and methane production, metabolizable energy (ME), organic matter digestibility (OMD), net energy lactation (NEL), microbial protein production (MP) and Daisy incubator digestibility parame-ters. Experimental diets included 0% (TW0), 25% (TW1), 50% (TW2) and 75% (TW3) FBTW sub-stituted alfalfa hay in dairy cattle TMR rations. Substitution of alfalfa hay with FBTW in TMR linearly decreased in-vitro GP, methane, ME, NEL and OMD values (P<0.05), and linearly in-creased true dry matter digestibility (TDMD), partition factor (PF) and microbial protein pro-duction efficiency (MPSE) values (p<0.05). Organic matter (IVOMD), in-vitro true dry matter (IVTDMD), and NDF digestibility (IVNDFD) values, determined in the Daisy II incubator, were decreased by substituting FBTW for alfalfa hay in TMR (p<0.05). Substitution of alfalfa hay by FBTW up to 50% in TMR as an alternative roughage source in ruminant animal nutrition can be beneficial yet in-vivo studies are required for a solid conclusion.