Opuntia spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production

Pastorelli, G.; Serra, Valentina; Vannuccini, Camilla; Attard, Everaldo

doi:10.3390/ani12131597

Cited by 15 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 72 publications

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“…To overcome this problem, farmers burn off the spines previously or opt for spineless varieties, but these are not always available. Spiny cactus is usually cut and shredded before being given to the animals, which can be a high-effort task for farmers [ 50 ]. Another disadvantage is the short shelf life that fresh Opuntia has due to its high moisture content and fermentable carbohydrates.…”

Section: Supplementing Cattle With Opuntiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting to Climate Change with Opuntia

Jorge

Costa

Oliveira

2023

Plants

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Adapting our food production chain and increasing the flora and fauna’s livelihood in climate change-affected areas using Opuntia is not only theoretical but already exists in practice in many places. This cactus grows in unsuitable soil for most species as it is adapted to arid and semi-arid soils and hot weather. In these regions, Opuntia protects from erosion and contributes to soil health. The usage of this plant as fodder is also discussed, with immense potential in substituting a part of livestock’s diet and even increasing the quality of the animal’s by-products and decreasing water consumption. This would result in a feed that is low-cost and has a lower environmental impact. It is to be noted that Opuntia has a high potential as an invasive species, with caution always being recommended when dealing with this specie. The high content of specific compounds, such as proline, indicaxanthin, and betanin, found in Opuntia ficus-indica, influence the plant’s adaptation to unfavourable conditions. This collective evidence depicts Opuntia as a crop that can battle climate change and ensure food security.

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Section: Supplementing Cattle With Opuntiamentioning

confidence: 99%

Adapting to Climate Change with Opuntia

Jorge

Costa

Oliveira

2023

Plants

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“…This study aims to investigate the in vitro digestion of the pennyroyal plant, the changes in core nutrient and fatty acid compositions at different phenological stages and to use of the pennyroyal plant as an alternative roughage source in ruminant nutrition. Today, when the effect of drought is evident, alternative forage crops that are compatible with arid climatic conditions, suitable for harvesting, remain green throughout the year, and even contain functional compounds should be investigated (Kara et al, 2022 ; Pastorelli et al., 2022 ; Pirasteh‐Anosheh et al., 2021 ). The study hypothesizes that the in vitro digestion and nutrient level of the pennyroyal plant as a forage varies according to the phenological period.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

In vitro ruminal fermentation, core nutrient, fatty acids and mineral matter of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) herbage at different phenological stages

Kara,

Yilmaz,

Güçlü

et al. 2024

Veterinary Medicine & Sci

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BackgroundIn ruminants, fibrous feedstuffs must be included in the ration to ensure normal rumen physiology and to prevent the occurrence of rumen‐related metabolic diseases. In addition to being a source of fibrous feedstuffs, they contain energy depending on the level of digestion and protein, minerals, fatty acids, minerals, and secondary compounds.ObjectivesThis study aimed to determine the nutrient matter, fatty acid, mineral and in vitro rumen fermentation values of the pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) plant.MethodsThe pennyroyal plant samples were collected at different phenological stages (vegetative, full flowering, and seed bulking) from the natural meadow. The samples were analysed for core nutrients, condensed tannins, minerals, fatty acids, and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters.ResultsThe calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) contents and in vitro ruminal fermentation parameters (total gas production and methane production, organic matter digestion (OMd), and the ammonia‐nitrogen) decreased with increasing phenological stage (p < 0.05). The percentages of linoleic, α‐linolenic, ω‐3, ω‐6 and polyunsaturated fatty (PUFA) acids of the pennyroyal plant linearly increased with the phenological stages (p < 0.05). However, butyric acid (BA) concentration in the in vitro ruminal fermentation fluid in the full flowering stage was lower than that of other stages (p < 0.05).ConclusionsPennyroyal plant is a functional plant in terms of high values of ether extract (EE), α‐linolenic acid, linoleic acid, ∑ω‐3 fatty acids, Ca, Fe and Zn contents. For this plant to be used as animal feed, the stage when it has the highest values for Ca, Mg, S and Zn minerals and in vitro OMd were vegetative and full flowering. The stage with good potential as animal feed for ∑ω‐3 and ∑ω‐6 fatty acids and core nutrients (CP and EE) is the seed bulking stage.

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“…Moreover, the LLL is a highly available legume species commonly used as forage for ruminant feeding in North and South America, Asia, Australia, Africa, and the Pacific Ocean Island [ 7 ]. Additionally, PP has recently been introduced into diets and supplements to maintain ruminant body condition during dry periods [ 8 ]. Although numerous studies on the effects of plants with a high tannin content, such as LLL, on rumen fermentation have found reductions in enteric methane production, the mechanisms of how the tannin content of these plants reduces methane production in vitro are still unclear.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets

Araiza Ponce,

Gurrola Reyes,

Martínez Estrada

et al. 2023

Animals

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In this study, four experimental treatments were evaluated: (T1) alfalfa hay + concentrate, (50:50%, DM); (T2) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); (T3) alfalfa hay + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:20:50%, DM); and (T4) alfalfa hay + Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear + concentrate, (30:10:10:50%, DM). NH3-N concentrations in T2 and T4 decreased when replaced with alfalfa hay in 20 and 10%, respectively. Treatments did not affect the concentration of total volatile fatty acids (TVFA) between T3 and T4 (p > 0.05), while the concentrations among T1 and T2 were different (p < 0.05). T2 showed a reduction of 25.5% in the methane production when compared to T1 (p < 0.05). The lowest concentrations of protozoa were observed in T2 and T4, which contained Leucaena leucocephala (T2) and Leucaena leucocephala + prickly pear (T4) (p < 0.05). The highest concentration of total methanogens was recorded in T1 and was different in T2, T3, and T4 (p < 0.05). Leucaena leucocephala, at an inclusion percentage of 20%, decreased the methane when compared to T1, whereas prickly pear increased methane production in relation to T1.

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Opuntia spp. as Alternative Fodder for Sustainable Livestock Production

Cited by 15 publications

References 72 publications

Adapting to Climate Change with Opuntia

Adapting to Climate Change with Opuntia

In vitro ruminal fermentation, core nutrient, fatty acids and mineral matter of pennyroyal (Mentha pulegium L.) herbage at different phenological stages

Fermentation Patterns, Methane Production and Microbial Population under In Vitro Conditions from Two Unconventional Feed Resources Incorporated in Ruminant Diets

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