17 T. Norrapoke M. Wanapat S. Wanapat S. Foiklang Journal of Animal and Plant Sciences JAPS 20142014/04/01 24 2 435-444 1018-7081 NA <p>Four, rumen-fistulated swamp buffalo bulls were randomly assigned to receive dietary treatments according to a 4x4 Latin square design. Four treatments were as follows; un-supplementation (control); supplementation with&nbsp;<em>Centella asiatica</em>&nbsp;powder (CAP) at 25 g/kg; supplementation with Mangosteen peel power (MPP) at 25 g/kg; CAP at 25 g/kg and MPP at 25 g/kg (CAMP) of total dry matter intake (DMI). Animals were fed with concentrate at 30 g/kg BW. Rice straw, water and mineral salt block were offered ad libitum. The experiment was conducted for 4 periods, and each period lasted for 21 days, while the last 7 days was for sample collection. The results revealed that the proportion of ruminal acetic acid was decreased whereas propionic acid increased (P&lt;0.05) by supplementation as compared to control group. Similarly, methane emission was lesser (P&lt;0.05) in the CAP and CAMP as compared to control group. While, ruminal protozoal population was dramatically decreased (P&lt;0.05) with the CAP and MPP supplementation; whilst, the CAMP treatment had a higher (P&lt;0.05) fungal zoospore population when compared to the control group. Moreover, community of DNA was extracted from 0.5 g of rumen fluid and digesta by the repeated bead beating plus column (RBB+C) method, Real-time PCR amplification and detection were performed in a Chromo 4&trade; system (Bio-Rad, USA), the use of real-time PCR technique provided the data that the population of protozoa was reduced (p&lt;0.05) by CAMP supplementation; whereas instead, the population of&nbsp;<em>F. succinogenes</em>&nbsp;were increased (p&lt;0.05) by the CAP and CAMP supplementation. Dietary supplementation had no effect on total bacterial population, and&nbsp;<em>R. flavefaciens</em>,&nbsp;<em>R. albus</em>. &nbsp;In conclusion, CAP or MPP supplementation improved rumen fermentation by positively affecting the ruminal microbial population in swamp buffaloes fed on rice straw.</p> Centella asiatica powder, mangosteen peel powder, rumen fermentation, methane production, real-time PCR, swamp buffaloes, rice straw Pakistan Agricultural Scientists Forum https://thejaps.org.pk/AbstractView.aspx?mid=2014-JAPS-62