Effects of plants containing secondary compounds and plant oils on rumen fermentation and ecology

Abstract

A number of experiments have been conducted to investigate effects of tropical plants containing condensed tannins and/or saponins present in tropical plants and some plant oils on rumen fermentation and ecology in ruminants. Based on both in vitro and in vivo trials, the results revealed important effects on rumen microorganisms and fermentation including methane production. Incorporation and/or supplementation of these plants containing secondary metabolites have potential for improving rumen ecology and subsequently productivity in ruminants.

Effect of Grape Pomace Powder, Mangosteen Peel Powder and Monensin on Nutrient Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, Nitrogen Balance and Microbial Protein Synthesis in Dairy Steers

“…Currently, there is increasing interest in exploiting natural products as feed additives to solve problems in animal nutrition and livestock production (Wanapat et al, 2012). Plants containing secondary metabolites, such as condensed tannins (CT) and saponins, have shown a potential to manipulate rumen fermentation by enhancing the efficiency of energy utilization in feed.…”

The Effect of Yerba Mate (<i>Ilex Paraguariensis</i>) Supplementation on Nutrient Degradability in Dairy Cows: An <i>In sacco</i> and <i>In vitro</i> Study

“…The use of herbs as natural additives in livestock nutrition, as an alternative to other chemical compounds, is becoming a new goal in livestock production ( Makkar et al, 2007 ). While the use of plants containing secondary compounds in ruminant nutrition has been extensively investigated in ruminant production ( Wanapat et al, 2012 ), several studies have focused on green tea byproducts because of their antioxidant and tannin content. For example, grazing on Hedysarum coronarium has been shown to have a positive impact on the productivity of meat and dairy sheep ( Bonanno et al, 2007a ) and goats ( Bonanno et al, 2007b ).…”

Effect of cottonseed oilcake inclusion on ostrich growth performance and meat chemical composition

“…Gossypol content varies between species of cotton plant and also depends on differences in cottonseed processing that change its concentration (Kakani, Gamboa, Calhoun, Haq, & Bailey, 2010;Nagalakshmi, Rao, Panda, & Sastry, 2007;Schroeder, Erasmus, Leeuw, & Meissner, 1995); moreover, animal species react differently to this particular polyphenol. For all these reasons, scientific studies concerning its utilization in animal nutrition, especially monogastrics, have provided controversial results (Fombad & Bryant, 2004;Ikurior & Fetuga, 1988;Nunes, De Araújo, Bezerra, & Soto-Blanco, 2010;Rhule, 1995;Wanapat et al, 2012;Winterholler, Lalman, Hudson, & Goad, 2009). Although Aganga et al (2003) stated that gossypol has also been shown to have toxic effects on ostriches, no studies on the effect of cottonseed oilcake meal (CSOCM) on the production and meat quality of ostrich meat have been conducted.…”