Potential use of seaweed as a dietary supplement to mitigate enteric methane emission in ruminants.

Seaweeds or marine algae exhibit diverse morphologies, sizes, colors, and chemical compositions, encompassing various species, including red, green, and brown seaweeds. Several seaweeds have received increased research attention and application in animal feeding investigations, particularly in ruminant livestock, due to their higher yield and convenient harvestability at present. Recent endeavors encompassing both in vitro and in vivo experiments have indicated that many seaweeds, particularly red seaweed (Asparagopsis taxiformis and Asparagopsis armata), contain plant secondary compounds, such as halogenated compounds and phlorotannins, with the potential to reduce enteric ruminal methane (CH4) emissions by up to 99 % when integrated into ruminant diets. This review provides an encompassing exploration of the existing body of knowledge concerning seaweeds and their impact on rumen fermentation, the toxicity of ruminal microbes, the health of animals, animal performance, and enteric ruminal CH4 emissions in both in vitro and in vivo settings among ruminants. By attaining a deeper comprehension of the implications of seaweed supplementation on rumen fermentation, animal productivity, and ruminal CH4 emissions, we could lay the groundwork for devising innovative strategies. These strategies aim to simultaneously achieve environmental benefits, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, enhance animal efficiency, and develop aquaculture and seaweed production systems, ensuring a high-quality and consistent supply chain. Nevertheless, future research is essential to elucidate the extent of the effect and gain insight into the mode of action.

Supplementation of Alternanthera sissoo pellets on feed digestion, rumen fermentation, and protozoal population in Thai native beef cattle.

The objective of this experiment was to study the effects of Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) pellet (BSP) supplementation on rumen fermentation, protozoal population, and methane (CH4) estimation in beef cattle. Four male Thai native beef cattle, 3 years old, with an average bodyweight of 180 ± 5 kg, were randomly arranged in a 4 × 4 Latin square design. The cattle were supplemented (on-top) with four levels of BSP (2, 4, 6, and 8% dry matter intake (DMI), respectively). The roughage component, derived from rice straw, was fed at 40 % of DMI, while the concentrate diet was fed at 60 % of DMI. The result of the experiment demonstrated that BSP supplementation had no effect on the DMI, nutrient intake, or nutrient digestibility (p > 0.05). Rumen pH and ammonia-nitrogen concentration were not significant, while the average protozoal population linearly decreased (p = 0.002) with BSP supplementation. Mean blood urea-nitrogen concentration was linearly increased (p = 0.004) when increasing the level of BSP. Brazilian spinach pellet had no significant effect on total volatile fatty acids (TVFA), VFA profiles, and CH4 estimation (p > 0.05). Nitrogen balance was no different from the supplementation of BSP. The study indicates that Brazilian spinach pellet supplementation showed no noticeable effects on feed intake, rumen parameters, and nitrogen utilization; however, at 6-8% of DMI, there was a decrease in protozoal population, with no corresponding reduction in CH4 estimation.

The application of omics technologies for understanding tropical plants-based bioactive compounds in ruminants: a review.

Finding out how diet impacts health and metabolism while concentrating on the functional qualities and bioactive components of food is the crucial scientific objective of nutritional research. The complex relationship between metabolism and nutrition could be investigated with cutting-edge "omics" and bioinformatics techniques. This review paper provides an overview of the use of omics technologies in nutritional research, with a particular emphasis on the new applications of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes in functional and biological activity research on ruminant livestock and products in the tropical regions. A wealth of knowledge has been uncovered regarding the regulation and use of numerous physiological and pathological processes by gene, mRNA, protein, and metabolite expressions under various physiological situations and guidelines. In particular, the components of meat and milk were assessed using omics research utilizing the various methods of transcriptomics, proteomics, metabolomics, and genomes. The goal of this review is to use omics technologies-which have been steadily gaining popularity as technological tools-to develop new nutritional, genetic, and leadership strategies to improve animal products and their quality control. We also present an overview of the new applications of omics technologies in cattle production and employ nutriomics and foodomics technologies to investigate the microbes in the rumen ecology. Thus, the application of state-of-the-art omics technology may aid in our understanding of how species and/or breeds adapt, and the sustainability of tropical animal production, in the long run, is becoming increasingly important as a means of mitigating the consequences of climate change.

Combination effects of phytonutrient pellet and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) powder on rumen fermentation efficiency and nutrient degradability using in vitro technique.

Phytonutrients (PTN) namely saponins (SP) and condensed tannins (CT) have been demonstrated to assess the effect of rumen fermentation and methane mitigation. Phytonutrient pellet containing mangosteen, rambutan, and banana flower (MARABAC) and lemongrass including PTN, hence these plant-phytonutrients supplementation could be an alternative plant with a positive effect on rumen fermentation. The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effect of supplementation of MARABAC and lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) powder on in vitro fermentation modulation and the ability to mitigate methane production. The treatments were arranged according to a 3 × 3 Factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design. The two experimental factors consisted of MARABAC pellet levels (0%, 1%, and 2% of the total substrate) and lemongrass supplementation levels (0%, 1%, and 2% of the total substrate). The results of this study revealed that supplementation with MARABAC pellet and lemongrass powder significantly improved gas production kinetics (P < 0.01) and rumen fermentation end-products especially the propionate production (P < 0.01). While rumen methane production was subsequently reduced by both factors. Additionally, the in vitro dry matter degradability (IVDMD) and organic matter degradability (IVOMD) were greatly improved (P < 0.05) by the respective treatments. MARABAC pellet and lemongrass powder combination showed effective methane mitigation by enhancing rumen fermentation end-products especially the propionate concentration and both the IVDMD and IVOMD, while mitigated methane production. The combined level of both sources at 2% MARABAC pellet and 2% lemongrass powder of total substrates offered the best results. Therefore, MARABAC pellet and lemongrass powder supplementation could be used as an alternative source of phytonutrient in dietary ruminant.

Effect of Brazilian spinach (Alternanthera sissoo) pellet supplementation and dietary ratios on rumen characteristics, microorganisms, methane production, milk yield, and milk composition in dairy cows.

The aim of the previous research was to evaluate the effects of Brazilian spinach pellet (BSP) supplementation and dietary ratios on rumen characteristics, methane estimation, and milk production in dairy cows. Four crossbred Thai dairy cattle, with Holstein Friesian (HF) cows with a body weight of 442 ± 50 kg were assessed in a 2 × 2 factorial in a 4 × 4 Latin square design to obtain diets; factor A was the roughage (R) to concentrate (C) ratio at 40:60 and 30:70, and factor B was level of BSP supplantation at 2% and 6% of dry matter (basis) intake (DMI). R:C ratio and supplementation of BSP had no interaction effect on DMI and nutrient digestibility. On DM, organic matter (OM), crude protein (CP), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) intake, the R:C ratio increased (p < 0.05). The digestibility of OM improved (p < 0.05) when cows were fed a R:C ratio of 30:70. On pH, ammonia-nitrogen, protozoal population, and blood urea-nitrogen, there were no interactions between the R:C ratio and BSP supplementation. Increasing the BSP supplementation to 6% (p < 0.01) decreased the protozoal population. The R:C ratio of 30:70 increased total volatile fatty acid (VFA) and propionate (C3) concentrations while decreasing the acetate (C2) to C3 ratio and methane (CH4 ) estimation (p < 0.01). The average concentration of total VFA has increased by 114.46 mmol/L for 6% of BSP supplementation. Increased BSP supplementation increased the C3 concentration while decreasing the C2:C3 ratio and CH4 emissions (p < 0.05). The R:C ratio and BSP supplementation had no interaction effect on milk yield, 3.5% fat-corrected milk (FCM), or milk composition. The R:C ratio of 30:70 increased milk yield (p < 0.05) to the highest level of 12.18 kg/day. In conclusion, the diet containing a R:C ratio of 30:70 increased feed intake, milk yield, BUN, total VFA, and C3 concentration, and decreased the C2:C3 ratio and CH4 emission. BSP supplementation at 6% could increase TVFA and C3 concentrations while decreasing the protozoal population and CH4 estimation.

Cnidoscolus aconitifolius leaf pellet can manipulate rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability.

OBJECTIVE: Chaya (Cnidoscolus aconitifolius) leaf has been found to be an important source of protein, vitamins, minerals, as well as phytonutrients. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of Chaya leaf pellet (CHYP) with various level of crude protein (CP) in the concentrate on rumen fermentation characteristics and nutrient degradability in in vitro gas production technique. METHODS: In an in vitro rumen fermentation study the dietary treatments were arranged according to a 3×5 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design, consisting of Factor A: three levels of CP of concentrate mixtures (14%, 16%, and 18% CP, respectively) and Factor B: five levels of CHYP supplementation (at 0%, 2%, 4%, 6%, and 8% of dry matter substrates). RESULTS: The gas production kinetics, fraction (a) and fraction (b) were lower (p<0.05) with an increasing CHYP addition. Additionally, the fraction (a+b) was found to yield a significant interaction (p<0.05) while the fraction (c) was not impacted by CHYP addition. However, in vitro DM degradability was enhanced and interactive (p<0.05), using 16% CP of concentrate with 6% and 8% CHYP, when compared with 18% CP in the non-addition. Additionally, the treatment with higher CP of the concentrate was higher in NH3-N concentration (p<0.001) and by CHYP supplementation group (p<0.05). Nevertheless, protozoal counts in the rumen were remarkably decreased (p<0.05) with increasing level of CHYP supplementation. Furthermore, rumen C2 concentration was lower (p<0.05) in the treatments with CHYP supplementation, while C3 was significantly increased and interactive (p<0.05) between levels of CP and CHYP supplementation especially at 8% CHYP supplementation. CONCLUSION: Based on this study, the results revealed CHYP as a promising feed supplement to enhance rumen fermentation and to mitigate methane production. However, in vivo feeding experiments should be subsequently conducted to elucidate the effect of CHYP supplementation on rumen fermentation, as well as ruminant production efficiency.

Effect of yeast-fermented de-hulled rice on in vitro gas production, nutrient degradability, and rumen fermentation.

The aim of this experiment was to test the effect of yeast-fermented de-hulled rice (YDR) levels of protein-rich feed with different kinds of roughages on in vitro gas production, nutrient degradability, and rumen fermentation. The treatments were randomly assigned according to a 2 × 4 factorial arrangement in a completely randomized design (CRD). The two experimental factors were comprised of two roughages (R) (untreated rice straw (RS) and sweet grass hay (SGH)) and four ratios of roughage to yeast-fermented de-hulled rice (R:YDR) (100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75). Thus, there were 8 treatment combinations. The results revealed that the interaction between R and R:YDR ratios influenced on the gas production rate constant for the insoluble fraction ratio (c) (P < 0.01). The in vitro dry mater degradability (IVDMD) was improved by SGH and R:YDR ratios (P < 0.05). Supplementation of YDR with both of roughage sources (RS and SGH) increased propionate (C3) (P < 0.05) and total VFA production (P < 0.01); both factors showed interactive effects on rumen methane production (P < 0.01). Moreover, bacterial population was significantly increased by the SGH:YDR ratios (P < 0.05). Therefore, it could be summarized that supplementing YDR, an enriched protein source with SGH:YDR ratio at 50-75:50-25 ratio significantly enhanced nutrient degradability and in vitro rumen fermentation efficiency.

Replacing soybean meal with yeast-fermented cassava pulp (YFCP) on feed intake, nutrient digestibilities, rumen microorganism, fermentation, and N-balance in Thai native beef cattle.

The principle of the study was to assess the influence of yeast-fermented cassava pulp (YFCP) as a protein supplement on feed intake, nutrient digestibilities, rumen microbial protein synthesis, fermentation end-products, and N-balance in Thai native beef cattle. The experiment was conducted following the 4 × 4 Latin square design using 4 levels of YFCP supplementation (0, 100, 200, and 300 g/head/day) in 3-year-old Thai native beef cattle crossbreds. The response of YFCP supplementation level using rice straw as a roughage source revealed promising results. The rumen ecology parameters including cellulolytic, amylolytic, and proteolytic bacterial population were significantly increased while the protozoal population were reduced, as affected by increasing level of YFCP supplementation (P < 0.05). In parallel with these results, totals VFA, propionate (C3) production in the rumen, and the ratio of C2:C3 were remarkably increased (P < 0.01), while rumen methane production by prediction from VFA was decreased (P < 0.01), as YFCP supplementation increased. Regarding, the nutrient digestibilities, those of OM and CP were remarkably enhanced (P < 0.01), hence increased DM intake. Furthermore, the use of YFCP at high level resulted in the highest N-balance and N retention absorption (P < 0.01). The results indicated that YFCP can be nutritionally enhanced by yeast fermentation, thus is promising to be used as a protein source in ruminant feeding.