PSII-B-18 Açai Seed as Fiber Source on Intake, Digestibility and Ruminal Parameters in Zebu Beef Cattle fed a High Concentrate Diet

Abstract This study was designed to evaluate the effects of açaí seed (AS) as a fiber source on intake, digestibility, and ruminal fermentation parameters beef cattle fed high concentrate diet. Five rumen-fistulated Zebu bulls were used in 5x5 Latin-square design. Treatments consisted five diets with different inclusion rates AS: 0, 5, 10, 15, 20% diet dry matter (DM). The total mixed ration contained 75% 25% roughage. Mombasa grass silage AS roughage sources. portion cracked corn (61.8%), soybean meal (8%) vitamin/mineral premix (5.2% DM). Each experimental period lasted 25 d last 11 for data collection. Total fecal collections performed over three days. Titanium dioxide estimate omasal outflow. Statistical significance declared at P < 0.05, tendency 0.05 > 0.10. A linear increase observed DM (P= 0.07), organic (P 0.05), crude protein (CP, neutral detergent (NDF) intake rate AS. Intake greatest receiving containing decrease (P< 0.05) NDF digestibility detected DM, CP metabolic energy similar across treatments 0.10). Ruminal intestinal nutrient between Rumen concentrations acetic acid increased short-chain fatty acids = 0.07) butyrate 0.08) tended linearly Açaí confined alters rumen but has no impact tract digestibility.