The effects of a lignocellulolytic extract of fomes sp. EUM1 on the intake, digestibility, feed efficiency and growth of lambs

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of a lignocellulolytic extract (LE), extracted from the thermotolerant basidiomycete Fomes sp. EUM1, on the intake, digestibility, feed efficiency, growth and productive performance of lambs. The xylanase and cellulase enzyme activities of the LE were 169 IU g^-1 and 50 IU g^-1, respectively. Eighteen Suffolk crossed lambs (20±0.5 kg body weight) were used for the experiment (58 days). A completely randomized experimental design was used with the following treatments: 0, 60 and 120 mL of LE sprayed per kg of forage 24 h before feeding. Average daily gain and digestibility were improved (P<0.05) with LE supplementation (60 and/or 120 mL). The proportion of butyric acid was reduced with the use of 60 mL of LE (P<0.05). The cellulase activity in the rumen fluid increased linearly (P<0.05) with increasing LE doses. The LE from Fomes sp. EUM1 improved the cellulolytic activity in the rumen fluid, thereby increasing the digestibility and body weight gain in lambs.