Adding Ginger Powder or Oil and its Effect on Nutritional Evaluation of Rams Rations

The current experiment was carried out in Maryout Research Station, Desert Research Center (DRC) to evaluate the effects of additives ginger powder or oil on, feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen and water utilization, ruminal and blood parameters of Barki sheep. Four Barki rams of each group with an average live weight (36.37±0.99 kg) were individually kept and fed in metabolic cages to determine nutrient digestibility and nutritive value of the experimental rations. Feed offered was calculated to cover requirements according to recommended by Kearl (1982) Roughage concentrate ratio was 40:60. The treatments included: (G1) without any additives (Control), The (G2) and (G3) groups were additives (with 3 and 6 gm ginger powder (GP)/head/day), respectively. Ginger powder was mixed daily by concentrate mixture to offer for daily basis. The (G4) group was orally administered by (2 ml ginger oil (GO) / head/ day). The data indicated that Values of dry roughage, concentrate intake and total DMI (g/ kg BW) were insignificant between groups. Organic matter and Crude protein digestibility were high significantly (P≤0.05) for G4 than those recorded for ram in G2, G1 and G3 groups. While values insignificantly differences in DM, CF and NDF digestibility between all groups .However, animals fed G4 had high insignificantly digestibility coefficients of DM, and CF than other groups. Data of nutritive values indicated that G4 recorded high significantly (P≤0.05) TDN, DCP vs. those other group. Rams in G4 group had high significantly (P≤0.05) value of TDN% and DCP% than other groups. Nitrogen intake (g/ kg BW) was insignificantly affected by treated with ginger forms. As for digested nitrogen (g/ kg BW) the data was insignificant among experimental groups, it seems that G4 had the highest values of digested nitrogen, while it was significantly differed with digested nitrogen as a percentage of intake. Nitrogen balance as ((g/ kg BW) or % of digested) showed that were insignificant between experimental groups; it seems that G4 had the highest while G2 had the lowest values of nitrogen balance. Water balance was slightly difference significantly (P≤0.05) among treatments; G1had the highest values of water balance as (ml/Kg BW) followed by G2, G3 while the lowest total water balance was for G4.Data of pH value was within the normal range, Either ruminal pH levels or TVFA,s (meq/100 ml) concentration were not significantly affected by the experimental additives . Ammonia nitrogen was affected by ginger both powder or oil additives and significantly decreased in groups fed ginger both powder or oil compared with the control group, while G4 take the lowest values than for G2 and G3 which fed with ginger powder additives. With regard to Protozoa number insignificantly decreased in groups fed ginger both powder or oil compared with the control group, while G4 take the lowest values than for G2 and G3 which fed with ginger powder additives. Results of blood biochemical showed that insignificant differences among groups for total proteins and albumin , Total proteins increased in G3 take the highest values than other groups while G4 take the lowest value , G4 showed the highest value of albumin while the lowest value recorded by (G1). While G3 had high (P≤0.05) globulin value than other groups. Animals fed ginger either powder or oil additives had high IgG than control group. Total lipids and triglyceride values showed significant (P≤0.05) increase in animals G4 .Also (G2 and G4) had high Cholesterol than control group. Serum urea concentration decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in G4, while G3 high than other groups. (G1) recorded significant (P≤0.05) decrees for creatinine while G4 recorded high value of creatinine than other groups. ALT and AST activity showed that there were significant (P≤0.05) decreases for G1 While ALP and GGT decrease insignificant for G1 for other groups. In conclusion, International Journal of Environment, Agriculture and Biotechnology, 5(3) May-Jun, 2020 | Available: https://ijeab.com/ ISSN: 2456-1878 https://dx.doi.org/10.22161/ijeab.53.30 774 ginger both powder or oil additives to ration of Barki rams had beneficial effects on digestibility coefficients, Nitrogen and water balance, Ruminal fermentation and some blood biochemical parameters Keywords— Barki sheep, ginger powder, ginger oil, feed intake, digestibility, rumen liquor and blood


INTRODUCTION
In Egypt, small ruminant and camel constitute the most valuable activities in the northern coastal zone due to their resistance to dry conditions. Livestock, particularly sheep, are of considerable economic importance and it plays an important role for the livelihood of rural household, the contribution of livestock to household income ranges from 50.34 % to 74.3%. Sheep contribute up to 74.56 % of the net cash income derived from livestock production in the rain fed region The use of natural additives has reported as an essential principle of healthy nutrition. The ban on antibiotics use in animal nutrition as feed additives due to its residual effect found in milk and meat products and the increased awareness of the consumers about the health hazards occurs due to the use of antibiotics in animal nutrition triggered searching for natural and safe feed additives Khamisabadi et al. (2016). Ginger (Zingiber officinale) belongs to Zingiberaceae family; the part of the plant used is rhizome. Ginger is classified by the Food and Drug Administration as a safe food additive, which is regularly used for the treatment of asthma, diabetes, nausea, and pain in tropical countries. Elghandour et al (2018).
The plant produces an orchid like flower with petals that are greenish yellow streaked with purple color Polasa and Nirmala (2003).Ginger is a good source of essential micronutrients such as potassium, magnesium, copper, manganese and silicon, Potassium and manganese help to build resistance to disease and protect the lining of heart, blood vessels and urinary passages. Silicon promotes healthy skin, hair, teeth, and nails and helps to assimilate calcium. Small amount of vitamins A, E and some amounts of Bvitamins and Vitamin C are also found in ginger rhizome Adel and Prakash (2010).
The present study was carried out to evaluate the effects of additives ginger powder or oil as feed on, feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen and water utilization, ruminal fermentation and blood parameters of Barki sheep.

Animals and Treatments
Experimental location: The current experiment was carried out in Maryout Research Station, Desert Research Center (DRC), Ministry of Agriculture and Land Reclamation, Egypt. This station located 35 km south of Alexandria governorate, Egypt.

Animals and treatments:
Digestibility trails: Four Barki rams of each group with an average live weight (36.37±0.99 kg) were individually kept and fed in metabolic cages to determine nutrient digestibility and nutritive value of the experimental rations. Also, nitrogen balance and water utilization were determined digestibility coefficients and feeding value. The digestibility trial was extended for 21 days as a preliminary period followed by 7 days as a collection period. All rams were fed on the same diets groups.
Feed intake and residuals were daily weighed and recorded during the collection periods, Total daily faces output was collected and 10% sample was taken and kept for later analysis. Faces and feeds were first dried at 65º C for 48 hours and final dried were determined after drying in a forced air oven at 105º C for 3 hours. Dried samples were mixed and ground to pass through a 1.0 mm mesh screen for chemical composition. Total daily urinary excreted from each rams was collected in jar containing 100 ml of 10% H2SO4 and 10% sample was taken and kept for later analysis. Samples of rumen liquid were taken 4 hrs after feeding to estimate rumen pH, ammonia nitrogen, volatile fatty acids concentrations and protozoa count.

Animals and rations:
All experimental rams were feed offered was calculated to cover the maintenance requirements according to recommended by Kearl (1982).
Roughage concentrate ratio was 40:60. Animal groups received one of four dietary treatments, 1 st group (G1) without any additives (Control). The 2 nd (G2) and 3 rd (G3) groups were additives (with 3 and 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day), respectively. Ginger powder was mixed daily by concentrate mixture to offer for daily basis. The 4 st (G4) group was orally administered by (2 ml ginger oil (GO) / head/ day). Clean fresh water was offered twice daily.
Sampling and analysis of rumen liquor: at the end of the digestibility trail, rumen liquor samples were collected from animals during the digestibility trail by using a stomach tube at four hours post feeding. The rumen samples were filtered through two layers of cheese-cloth and pH values were recorded immediately by digital pH-meter. Rumen samples were stored frozen (-18°C) for later analysis. Samples of protozoa count were preserved and counted as described by the method of Dehority (1984).

Feed intake and digestibility
Feed intake: Data of feed intake, digestibility and nutritive value by Barki rams are presented in Table (2). The data indicated that the initial body weight was almost the same. Values of dry roughage intake, concentrate intake and total DMI (g/ kg BW) were insignificant among the experimental groups. Because All Barki rams were fed restricted feeding on the same diets groups to cover their requirements of rams according to Kearl (1982) Means with different litters with each row are significantly different (P≤0.05).(G1) concentrate feed mixture plus alfalfa hay without any additives (control) ; (G2) control ration adding with 3 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G3) control ration adding with 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G4) control ration adding with ginger oil (GO) 2 ml/head/days oral.

Digestibility coefficients:
Data of digestibility indicated that the organic matter (OM) and crude protein (CP) digestibility were high significantly (P≤0.05) for G4 than those recorded for G2, G1 and G3 groups. These results were in accordance with Soroor and Moeini (2015) who found that Ginger supplementation increased the IVOMD which is likely due to improvement of methane production. Digestibility of DM, CF and NDF were not affected (P> 0.05) by the experimental diets. However, animals fed G4 had high insignificantly digestibility coefficients of DM and CF than other groups. Beneficial

Nitrogen utilization
Nitrogen intake, excretion, and balance are presented in Table (3). Nitrogen intake (g/ kg BW) was insignificantly affected by treated with ginger forms, because nutrient requirements were given (restricted feeding) as a results of body weight to cover maintenance requirements of rams according to kearl (1982) Feacal nitrogen excretion as (g/ kg BW or % of intake) was significantly (P≤0.05)) affected by treatments, it seems that the value obtained from G3 with 6 gm (GP) increased (P≤0.05) feacal nitrogen excretion more than other treatments, while; G4 (adding with ginger oil) had the lowest values of feacal nitrogen excretion. The values were (0.123, 0.113, 0.110 and 0.093 g/ kg BW) for G3, G2, G1 and G4; respectively. This result may be duo to G3 was lowest value of digestibility CP while G4 was high digestibility of CP according table (2).
As for digested nitrogen (g/ kg BW) the data were insignificant among experimental groups, it seems that G4 adding with ginger oil had the highest values (0.49 g/ kg BW) of digested nitrogen, while it was significantly differed with digested nitrogen as a percentage of intake. It was interested to show that G4 had high significant (P≤0.05) value of digested nitrogen as a percentage of intake than other treatments, thus may be duo to G4 had the lowest values of feacal nitrogen excretion. While it was less than G3 (with 6 gm GP) in the values of digested nitrogen as % of intake, thus duo to G3 had the highest values of feacal nitrogen excretion. Being value were 84.05, 81.03, 80.52 and78.90 % of intake for G4, G1, G2 and G3; respectively. Urine nitrogen excretion (g/ kg BW or % of intake) the data showed that were insignificant between experimental groups, it seems that G2 with 3 gm (GP) had the highest values of urine nitrogen excretion while G3 and G4 had the lowest and similar values of urine nitrogen excretion, while control group ( G1) had high value followed by G2. As for Total nitrogen execration as (g/ kg BW or % of intake) was significantly (P≤0.05) affected by treatments, it seems that the value obtained from G3 increased significant (P≤0.05) total nitrogen execration more than other treatments, while; G4 (adding with ginger oil) had the lowest values of total nitrogen execration. The values were (0.143, 0.140, 0.133 and 0.113 g/ kg BW) for G3, G2, G1and G4; respectively. As for total nitrogen excretion as percentage of intake, the values were 24.53, 24.14, 22.93 and 19.38 % of intake for G3, G2, G1 and G4; respectively. Generally, it was noticeable that treated with ginger powder forms in G3 and G2 increased total nitrogen excretion value compared to G1 and G4.
Nitrogen balance as (g/ kg BW or % of digested) was insignificant among the experimental groups, it seems that G4 (adding with ginger oil) had the highest values of nitrogen balance while G2 had the lowest values. As for nitrogen balance as percentage of digested nitrogen, the values were 95.65, 95.11, 95.10 and 94.22 % of digested for G3, G1, G4 and G2; respectively. It was interested to show that G4 had high significant (P≤0.05) value of nitrogen balance as a percentage of intake than other treatments, thus may be duo to G4 had the lowest values of feacal nitrogen excretion. While it was less than G3 in the values of nitrogen balance as a percentage of intake , being value were 79.93, 77.07, 75.86 and 75.47 for G4, G1, G2 and G3; respectively. This improvement in G4 (adding with ginger oil) was a result of less nitrogen excretion especially as fecal and urinary nitrogen which emphasized by improving the nitrogen balance. This result is in harmony with improved CP digestibility, DCP%, and lower total N excretion , may be the direct result of protein protection against degradation in the rumen  Means with different litters with each row are significantly different (P≤0.05). (G1) concentrate feed mixture plus alfalfa hay without any additives(control) ; (G2) control ration adding with 3 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day; (G3) control ration adding with 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G4) control ration adding with ginger oil (GO) 2 ml/head/days oral .

Water utilization
The data of water utilization are presented in Tables (4), the data of water intake, water excretion and water balance showed insignificant difference among treatments. Animals fed control ration without any additives (G1) tended to increase free drinking water (ml/Kg BW) more than all treatments (76.51), while, G2 was the second in free drinking water (74.77) and G3 was the third (69.75). While, G4 (adding ginger oil) take the lowest value (62.82). EL-Essawy et al. (2019 a ) found that water intake consumed by animal groups were supply anise oil resulted in a significant reduction, differences in water intake could be attributed to different chemical structures of the studied ethanol oil, their contents from active components which affecting their actions and activities.
As for combined water (ml/Kg BW), there was no significant difference between all treatments, while G4 take the high value (1.73). Also, there was no significant difference among treatments in metabolic water as (ml/Kg BW), the data showed that total water intake (ml/Kg BW) was high in G1 (control group) than other treatments, while the difference among groups were not significant, being value were 86. 30 Means with different litters with each row are significantly different (P≤0.05).(G1) concentrate feed mixture plus alfalfa hay without any additives(control) ; (G2) control ration adding with 3 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G3) control ration adding with 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G4) control ration adding with ginger oil (GO) 2 ml/head/days oral.
The data of urinary water (ml/Kg BW or % of intake) indicated that was no significant difference between all treatments, G3 (adding with 6 gm GP) take the lowest value (34.37). While G4 increased urinary water (% of intake) more than all treatments followed by G2, G1 and G3, being 52.70, 45.36, 43.31 and 43.30; respectively. Feacal water (ml/Kg BW) indicated that was no significant difference between all treatments, while G4 (adding with ginger oil) take the highest value (6.87). Also G4 increased Feacal water (% of intake) more than all treatments followed by G3, G2 and G1, being 9.45, 7.42, 7.05 and 6.97; respectively. Ginger acts as a purgative, Fresh ginger helps to remove constipation while dry ginger powder is a fecal astringent, meaning it dries up the watery portion of the feces and causes constipation Malhotra et. al., (2003) . total excreted water (ml/Kg BW or % of intake) had the same trend, G4 (adding with ginger oil) had the highest value followed by G2, G3 while the lowest total excreted water was for G1 being 62.14, 52.76, 50.71 and 50.30 % of intake.
The data indicated that water balance was slightly difference significantly (P≤0.05) among treatments; G1(without any additives) had the highest values of water balance as (ml/Kg BW ) followed by G2,G3 while the lowest total water balance was for G4 (adding with ginger oil). It seems that group G1 (without any additives) had the highest values of water balance as a percentage of intake while G4 (adding with ginger oil) take the lowest, the values were 49.72, 49.29, 47.23 and 37.86% of intake for G1, G3, G2 and G4; respectively.  30 780

Ruminal fermentation parameters:
The effects of ginger either powder or oil additives on some rumen fermentation parameters are shown in Table ( 5). Data showed that pH value was within the normal range, which reflect that microbial digestion of fiber and protein Total VFA concentration (TVFA,s (meq/100 ml)) was affected by ginger both powder or oil additives and insignificantly decreased in groups fed ginger both powder or oil compared with the control group , while G4 (with ginger oil) and G3(with 6 gm ginger powder) take the lowest values than for G2 and G1, The values were 6.40, 6.17, 5.  Means with different litters with each row are significantly different (P≤0.05).(G1) concentrate feed mixture plus alfalfa hay without any additives(control) ;(G2) control ration adding with 3 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G3) control ration adding with 6 gm ginger powder (GP) /head/day;(G4) control ration adding with ginger oil (GO) 2 ml/head/days oral

Blood biochemical parameters
Data in Table (6) indicated that Total protein and Albumin were insignificantly affected by additives with ginger either powder or oil while globulin, A/G ratio and IgG were significantly (P≤0.05) affected by additives as compared to control group. Total proteins increased in G3 (adding with 6 gm (GP) /head/day) than other groups while G4 (adding with ginger oil 2 ml/h/d) showed the lowest value. The values were 8.12, 7.86, 7.42 and 6.62 for G3, G1, G2 and G4 respectively. May be due to that Ginger stimulates the flow of saliva, bile, and gastric secretions and therefore is traditionally used to stimulate appetite, reduce flatulence, colic, and gastrointestinal spasms, and generally act as a digestive aid Blumenthal et al. (2000). The lowest value of total proteins recorded via G4 (ginger oil addition), which might be attributed to that the essential oils modified the microbial population decreasing Protozoa count (X 10 5 cell ml -1 ) which is mainly responsible for protein degradation .  The values of triglyceride had the same trend of TLs where G4 (adding with ginger oil) had high (P≤0.05) triglyceride concentration than those for other groups. Moreover, control group (G1) also, insignificantly the concentrations of triglyceride of G2 and G3, as showed in Table (7). The reduction observed in triglyceride for both rations supplemented with ginger powder (G3 and G2) may be due to the influences of GP on liver tissues and benefit in metabolism and the negative effect of GO on rumen microflora activity and digestion (Abo Bakr 2019).
Animals fed ginger either powder or oil additives (G2 and G4) had high Cholesterol (mg/dl) than control group. The highest value was recorded in G2 followed by G4 while the lowest value recorded for G3 (with 6 gm GP

Kidney and liver function
Serum urea concentration decreased significantly (P≤0.05) in G4 (with ginger oil) and insignificant differences between G2 and G1 while G3 high than other groups Table (  The obtained results of ALT and AST activity in blood serum showed that there were significant (P≤0.05) decreases for G1 compared to other treated groups Table (8). while, ALP and GGT decrease insignificant for G1 for other groups. At all levels of ginger feeding (0.5, 1 and 5%) stimulation of glutathione-s-transferases (GST), activity was seen in liver and lungs whereas in intestine and kidney, a significant increase was observed at 1 and 5% level of ginger feeding

IV. CONCLUSION
In conclusion, ginger both powder or oil additives to ration of Barki rams had beneficial effects on digestibility coefficients, Nitrogen and water balance, Ruminal fermentation and some blood biochemical parameters, ginger had positive effects on blood parameters, improve the immunity of animals, Further research is needed to study effects of the mechanism of action ginger additives on digestibility, rumen and blood parameters.