Influence of microencapsulation of banana flower powder pellet and protein level in concentrate on ruminal fermentation and microbial diversity by in vitro study techniques.

Integrating bioactive compounds (BCs) with rumen-protected proteins offers a sustainable approach to enhancing rumen protein degradation, absorption, and productivity in ruminants. This study evaluated the effects of varying percentages of microencapsulation of banana flower powder pellet (mBAFLOP) on gas production kinetics, nutrient degradability, rumen fermentation characteristics, microbial populations, and methane production through in vitro techniques. A completely randomized design (CRD) was utilized, with treatments consisting of crude protein (CP) levels at 10%, 12%, 14%, and 16% in concentrate diets, supplemented with 3% mBAFLOP based on total dry matter (DM). Results indicated that ruminal pH and dry matter degradability were not negatively impacted at 12–24 h (h) post-incubation. Supplementation with mBAFLOP led to a linear increase (p < 0.01) in ruminal ammonia-nitrogen (NH3-N) concentrations at both incubation times, alongside enhanced total volatile fatty acids (VFA), particularly C2 and C3 (quadratic effect, p < 0.05). The highest concentration of cellulolytic bacteria, Fibrobacter succinogenes, was observed at 12 h (quadratic effect; p < 0.05). Additionally, Ruminococcus albus and Megasphaera elsdenii populations were influenced by mBAFLOP and CP levels (linear effects; p < 0.05). Importantly, methane production remained unchanged. Therefore, mBAFLOP supplementation, particularly at 16% CP, enhances rumen fermentation, especially in C3 production and NH3-N concentration in ruminants.