Introducing the Section “Animal and Feed Fermentation”

Microbial fermentation is a fundamental biological process that shapes the transformation of nutrients, energy flow, and ecosystem functioning across a wide range of biological systems. While fermentation has long been studied in industrial biotechnology and food production, its role in animal digestive systems and feed preparation remains equally critical for global food systems, sustainable agriculture, and environmental management. To highlight this important and rapidly evolving field, the journal Fermentation introduces the new section “Animal and Feed Fermentation.”

Fermentation processes occurring in animal digestive systems represent one of the most efficient biological strategies for converting complex organic substrates into usable nutrients. In ruminants, microbial fermentation in the rumen enables the conversion of plant structural carbohydrates into volatile fatty acids that provide a major source of metabolic energy for the host. Similar fermentation processes occur in hindgut fermenters such as horses, rabbits, and many wildlife species, where microbial communities in the caecum and large intestine play essential roles in nutrient transformation and digestive efficiency. These microbial ecosystems are highly complex and dynamic, involving interactions between microbial populations, host physiology, and dietary composition.

Beyond digestive systems, fermentation also plays a key role in the production, preservation, and utilization of animal feed. Technologies such as silage production rely on microbial fermentation to stabilize plant biomass, improve feed quality, and reduce nutrient losses. In recent years, fermentation-based technologies have also expanded to include fermented feed ingredients, microbial inoculants, and innovative feed additives designed to enhance animal health and productivity. These approaches demonstrate how fermentation processes can contribute to more efficient and resilient animal production systems.

The scientific understanding of fermentation in animal and feed systems has advanced significantly in recent decades. Modern analytical tools, including metagenomics, metabolomics, and systems biology approaches, now allow researchers to explore microbial communities and metabolic pathways in unprecedented detail. These technologies provide new insights into microbial ecology, substrate utilization, and host–microbe interactions that influence nutrient metabolism, animal performance, and environmental outcomes.

At the same time, global challenges related to sustainability, climate change, and food security are increasing the importance of fermentation research in animal systems. For example, microbial fermentation processes in ruminant digestive systems are closely linked to methane emissions, a major contributor to agricultural greenhouse gas production. Understanding and managing fermentation pathways offers promising opportunities to mitigate methane emissions while maintaining or improving animal productivity. Similarly, fermentation technologies used in feed production can enhance nutrient efficiency, support circular bioeconomy strategies, and contribute to more sustainable livestock and aquaculture systems.

Thus, the new section of Fermentation, “Animal and Feed Fermentation”, aims to provide a dedicated platform for research addressing microbial fermentation processes in these contexts. The section welcomes both fundamental and applied studies on fermentation occurring within animal digestive systems—including the rumen, caecum, and large intestine—as well as research on microbial ecology, metabolic pathways, and host–microbe interactions influencing animal nutrition and health.

In addition, the section covers fermentation-based technologies used in feed preparation and preservation, including silage fermentation, fermented feed ingredients, and microbial feed additives. Research on fermentation processes relevant to a wide range of animal systems is encouraged, including livestock species, aquaculture organisms, insects used for food and feed production, and wildlife species that rely on microbial fermentation for nutrient acquisition.

The section also aims to foster interdisciplinary research connecting animal science, microbiology, biotechnology, and environmental science. Topics such as nutrient cycling, fermentation-driven innovations in animal production systems, and strategies to improve feed efficiency and reduce environmental impacts are of particular interest. Studies on human digestive fermentation may also be considered when they provide mechanistic insights relevant to microbial metabolism or comparative fermentation processes.

By bringing together research on fermentation in both animal digestive systems and feed technologies, this section highlights the central role of microbial fermentation in animal nutrition and production. It also reflects the increasing integration of microbiology, biotechnology, and agricultural sciences in addressing contemporary challenges related to sustainable food production.

We invite researchers from across these disciplines to contribute their work to this new section and to help advance our understanding of microbial fermentation processes that support efficient, sustainable, and resilient animal production systems.