Evaluation of the effects of plant extracts on cattle rumen mi-crobiome

Abstract

The prohibition of antibiotic drugs in animal husbandry to stimulate animal productivity has provoked an active study of alternative substances, including plant extracts. No less interesting for a detailed study of the extracts of plants Eucalyptus viminalis and Scutellaria baicalensis, as information about their effect on ruminant microbiome is extremely scarce. According to the results of phytochemical analysis, 14 small molecules were found in the extract of Scutellaria baicalensis. and 13 in the composition of the extract of the leaves of Eucalyptus viminalis. Analysis of metagenomic sequencing when plant extracts are included in the feed indicates a significant change in the rumen microbiome. The absence of Proteobacteria and Fibrobacteres phyla in the experimental groups, a decrease in the content of Bacteroidetes by 12.0–17.0% and an increase in Firmicutes (p<0.05) and Saccharibacteria (p<0.05) were noted. An increase in the class Clostridia (p<0.05), due to the family Ruminococcaceae (p<0.05) and the genus Ruminococaceace, was found. In the Bacteroidia class in all groups, the family Prevotellaceae, the genus Prevotella, prevailed in most of the groups. Additional inclusion in the diet of plant extracts of Eucalyptus viminalis and Scutellaria baicalensis have a significant impact on the rumen microbiome of the cattle, the taxonomic identification of microorganisms indicates the prevalence of phyloma Firmicutes, Clostridia class and the Ruminococcaceae family, which are responsible for the separation of imperfect migration. Further evaluation of plant matter is needed in the direction of the overall effect on fermentation of feed in the rumen.

Long-term administration of a commercial supplement enriched with bioactive compounds does not affect feed intake, health status, and growth performances in beef cattle

“…Although S. baicalensis has been suggested to modify rumen microbiome increasing Firmicutes phylum, Clostridia class, and the Ruminococcaceae family in an in vivo experiment (Yausheva et al, 2019), in our study we did not see an effect on diet digestibility which might be related to the low doses of bioactive compounds, minerals, and vitamins in the tested product. In fact, there is an absence of differences in the estimated total tract apparent digestibility of nutrients of the animals.…”

“…In ruminants, some evidence indicates that S. baicalensis could interact with the rumen ecology, altering rumen microbiome, i.e. increasing the prevalence of the phylum Firmicutes, Clostridia class, and Ruminococcaceae family (Yausheva et al, 2019), which suggests a possible effect on diet digestibility. Recent literature reports that flavonoids, as powerful antimicrobials, can increase ruminal volatile fatty acids production, while reducing ammonia and methane production (Kalantar, 2018); however, in vitro results were not always consistent (Balcells et al, 2012).…”

The Use of Chinese Skullcap (Scutellaria baicalensis) and Its Extracts for Sustainable Animal Production

“…S. baicalensis extracts can alter the microbial flora in the rumen of ruminants, thereby promoting the fermentation of forage in the rumen [ 119 ]. S. baicalensis has evident antipyretic effects and has been incorporated into many medicinal herb preparations [ 120 ], and thus has great potential for reducing the impact of heat stress in intensive and large-scale ruminants farming.…”