Developing a Feeding Module with a Blend of Garlic Oil and Cinnamon Bark for Enhancing Antioxidant Status and Immunity of Murrah Buffalo (<i>Bubalus bubalis</i>) with an Improvement in Feed Efficiency and Reduced Methane Emissions

Abstract

The experiment was designed to evaluate the consequence of a blend of garlic oil and cinnamon bark powder administration on growth performance, nutrient digestibility, immunity, antioxidant status and methane emission in Murrah buffalo (Bubalus bubalis). Sixteen buffalo calves were divided into two groups in a completely randomised design. The first group (CONT) was fed a basal diet of wheat straw, green oats and concentrate mixture, whereas the second group (GOCB) received feeds as per the CONT along with a blend of garlic oil and cinnamon bark powder (0.5 mL + 1.0 g/head/day) by mixing it with the concentrate mixture for a period of 170 days. The growth rate and feed efficiency in GOCB group buffalo calves were improved (20%) with better (p p p p < 0.01). Thus, feed formulated with a blend of garlic oil-cinnamon bark powder demonstrates improvements in the health and production performances of buffalo calves.

Keywords

• garlic oil
• cinnamon bark
• feeding module
• immune response
• antioxidant status
• growth