Effect on rumen micro-organism population and fermentation:

 When fed @ 5% of diet in Holstein steers, clove decreased while peppermint and lemon grass increases ruminal ammonia concentration. No significant differences in Volatile Fatty Acid concentration are noticed on feeding these feed additives, except decrease in propionate concentration in steers fed with clove. Increased methanogenesis is noticed when Holarrhenaanti dysentericum and Solanum nigrum are used in buffalo rumen liquor while reverse trend is noticed in cattle inoculum. Withania somnifera, Woodfordia fruticosa and Boerhovia diffusa are more effective for reducing methanogenesis.Ruchamax which is a herbal preparation optimizes rumen micro flora activity and improves digestion and feed utilization in ruminants. Supplementation of polyherbal immunomodulator (immu-21) to Black Bengal goats has resulted in significantly higher birth weight of kids, increased blood protein and colostrum immunoglobulin concentration.When herbal formulations like Galog, Livol were used there was gross over activity of cellulolytic micro flora and increased VFA in dairy cows. The protozoal concentration and rumen liquor motility increases which render energy supply for milk production. Molar proportion of glucogenic VFA increases along with enhanced ammonia metabolism into microbial protein. Decreased bacterial and protozoal population are recorded on lemon grass meal, peppermint and garlic powder supplementation with no effect on fungal zoospores.In all herb supplemented groups decreased total viable and proteolytic bacteria are noticed with similar amylolytic and cellulolytic bacteria indicating that lemongrass sole or in combination with garlic and peppermint can be used as feed additive to improve rumen fermentation efficiency.