PENGARUH REDUKSI GAS METAN MENGGUNAKAN MEDIUM CHAIN FATTY ACIDS TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN KUALITAS DAGING DOMBA

Research was conducted to measure the effect of methane reduction in the rumen on production of sheep. The research consisted of three consecutive studies. The first was effect of medium chain fatty acids (MCFA) inclusion in the diet on methane production in the rumen. The second was inclusion of MCFA derived from coconut meal in the diet on in vivo digestibility of feed, and the third was inclusion of MCFA on carcass production and quality of meat. Results indicated that inclusion of MCFA up to 1.5% in the diet decreased methane production 25.30% and protozoa count 29.84% and increased rumen production of propionate 22.56% and microbial protein 31.42%. Dry matter digestibility (DMD), OMD and CPD increased when MCFA was included in the diet of sheep. N retention, as well as, body weight also gained. MCFA inclusion increased carcass weight as well as oleic, linoleic and linolenic content, but decreased cholesterol and stearic in the meat. It was concluded that inclusion of 1.0% to 1.5% MCFA in the diet decreased methane production in the rumen of sheep and improved production and quality of meat