A Proposed Batch In vitro Apparatus for Conducting Rumen Fermentation Experiment

This research proposes a batch in vitro rumen apparatus modified from Daisy incubator and procedures of measuring feed digestion by using nylon bag to replace the traditional centrifuging and filtration methods, for the purpose of studying ruminal fermentation. The apparatus consists of 8 sets of airtight reaction vessels which rotated at a speed of 1 r/min and located inside a thermostatic cabin. Optimum procedures was proved to be that the volume of incubation fluid was 400 mL; fineness and size of test feed were 0.125-0.25 mm and 0.4 g, respectively; amount of bags in one vessel was 6; fermentation diet in a single incubation was 4-5 g. Comparing experiments showed that fermentation speed attained with the apparatus was about 15-20% greater than that attained with flask-shaking machine method (revolutionary speed is 100 r/min) and more accurate results could be obtained with the new apparatus. In conclusion, this apparatus could provide an efficient mixing action, and the procedure could allow sensitive detection of differences in ruminal fermentation in a time-saving way.