Chemical composition, fractionation of carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds, ruminal degradation kinetics, and in vitro gas production of cactus pear genotypes

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the chemical composition, fractionation of carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds, degradation parameters, and in vitro ruminal fermentation of cactus pear genotypes. The experiment was conducted in a completely randomized design with 4 cactus pear genotypes and 4 replicates. The evaluated cactus pear genotypes were: Miúda (Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck), IPA Sertânia (Nopalea cochenillifera), Gigante (Opuntia ficus indica Mill), and Orelha de Elefante Mexicana (Opuntia stricta Haw), all in natura. Samples were randomly collected at different points in the experimental area. Whole plants were collected 24 months after field crop establishment. N. cochenillifera Salm Dyck presented the highest dry matter, acid detergent insoluble protein, non-fibrous carbohydrate, total digestible nutrients, digestible energy, total carbohydrates, and fractions A + B1 (P<0.05), while presenting lower neutral detergent fiber corrected for ash and protein, acid detergent fiber, and cellulose in relation to the other genotypes studied (P<0.05). The in vitro true digestibility of neutral detergent fiber was high for the genotypes N. cochenillifera Salm Dyck and N. cochenillifera Dyck, which also presented high in vitro total gas production (P<0.05). The cactus pear genotypes show adequate chemical characteristics to be composed part of diets offered to ruminants. However, supplementation is necessary to increase the dry matter and fiber contents. The Nopalea cochenillifera Salm Dyck genotype presented the highest proportions of total digestible nutrients, non-fibrous carbohydrates, non-protein nitrogen, unavailable nitrogen fraction total, and high gas production in relation to the other analyzed genotypes 24 months after field crop establishment.