In-vitro effect of Artemisia absinthium (Titween) on digestibility and rumen parameters of small ruminants

The current study was carried out to evaluate the effect of Artemisia absinthium on in-vitro digestibility and rumen parameters of small ruminants. Initially chemical analysis of Artemisia Absinium was carried out along with other feed ingredients. The complete feed for small ruminants was fortified with Artemisia absinthium @ 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5%, and was subjected to in-vitro analysis to determine their DM, OM, and NDF digestibility. The levels were also evaluated for various rumen parameters like pH, Total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), Total nitrogen, nitrogen fractions (NH₃-N, TCA-ppt. N, NPN). Significant (P<0.05) increase in in-vitro digestibility was reported at the 4% fortification level of Artemisia absinthium. The studies on rumen parameters revealed that the differences in rumen pH and NPN values were statistically non-significant (P>0.05) among different fortification levels. However significant (P<0.05) differences were observed in TVFA, total nitrogen and TCA ppt. nitrogen was significantly higher in 4% fortification level. Ammonia nitrogen was found significantly (P<0.05) lower in 3 and 4% fortification levels.