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Veterinary Sciences
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Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism
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Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism

A special issue of Veterinary Sciences (ISSN 2306-7381). This special issue belongs to the section "Nutritional and Metabolic Diseases in Veterinary Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 27 August 2026 | Viewed by 3087

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Tao Wang

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Animal Science and Technology, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Interests: feed fermentation; animal health; nutrient utilization; environment and food safety; sustainable animal production
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Zhe Sun

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
College of Life Science, Jilin Agricultural University, Changchun 130118, China
Interests: feed fermentation; animal health; yeast cultures; metabolome; sustainable animal production
Dr. Zhiwei Kong

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Guangxi Key Laboratory of Animal Breeding, Disease Control and Prevention, Department of Animal Sciences, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
Interests: feed fermentation; biotechnology; ruminant nutrition; microbiome; animal health

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Feed fermentation is a promising method for preserving animal feed that has a high moisture content. It primarily utilizes lactic acid bacteria, yeasts, and fungi to ferment animal feed under anaerobic conditions, thereby reducing the loss of feed nutrients and improving palatability. A large number of metabolites can be produced during the process, and these products may impact animal health and production.

Fermented feeds, such as silage, fermented Total Mixed Rations (TMR), and fermented liquid feed, exhibit increased digestibility and bioavailability of nutrients. Certain anti-nutritional factors, including tannins, saponins, and phytates in feed, can be effectively degraded through fermentation. Additionally, fermentation often enriches feeds with beneficial metabolites, such as vitamins, bioactive substances, organic acids, and enzymes, which are advantageous to the health of livestock.

Feed fermentation offers a promising approach to sustainable animal production. However, there are still numerous research gaps in understanding the long-term effects of fermented feeds on animal health and metabolism. Further studies are needed to address the challenges of quality control and cost-effectiveness, determine the optimal inclusion levels of fermented feeds in various animal diets, and evaluate the impact of fermented feeds on the environment and food safety.

Prof. Dr. Tao Wang
Dr. Zhe Sun
Dr. Zhiwei Kong
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Veterinary Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2100 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • feed fermentation
  • animal nutrition
  • animal health
  • gut health
  • sustainable agriculture
  • silage
  • fermented feeds
  • probiotics
  • lactic acid bacteria (LAB)
  • yeast / yeast cultures
  • solid-state fermentation
  • gut microbiota / microbiome
  • feed digestibility
  • nutrient availability
  • organic acids
  • pathogen inhibition
  • immune modulation
  • anti-oxidation
  • anti-inflammatory
  • feed conversion ratio (FCR)
  • phytate degradation
  • long-term effects
  • animal performance
  • quality control
  • cost-effectiveness
  • optimal inclusion levels
  • environment and food safety

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 627 KB  
Article
Efficacy of Early Feeding with Probiotic-Fermented Feed in Promoting Growth Performance, Immunity, Antioxidant Activity, Gene Expression, and Gut Integrity in Ostrich Chicks (Struthio camelus)
by Haifa Ali Alqhtani, Hadeel A. Almamoory, Huda A. Alqahtani, Ahmed M. Elbaz, Ahmed Sabry Arafa, Eman Kamel M. Khalfallah, Fatmah A. Safhi, Ahmed Ateya, Ayman Abd El-Aziz, Rowa K. Zarah, Ahmed H. Ghonaim, AbdelRahman Y. Abdelhady and Mohamed Marzok
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 168; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020168 - 8 Feb 2026
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 786
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of early feeding with probiotic-fermented feed on growth performance, intestinal microbiota structure, immune responses, and gene expression. Two hundred and forty-one-day-old African ostrich chicks were randomly divided into three groups (eight replicates/group). The [...] Read more.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of early feeding with probiotic-fermented feed on growth performance, intestinal microbiota structure, immune responses, and gene expression. Two hundred and forty-one-day-old African ostrich chicks were randomly divided into three groups (eight replicates/group). The control group was fed a basal diet (CON), whereas the PELF3 and PELF6 groups were fed the probiotic-fermented feed for the first 3 or 6 days post-hatching, respectively, after which, all chicks were fed the basal diet for 56 days. The results showed that adding PELF3 or PELF6 significantly enhanced body weight gain and the feed conversion ratio. Chicks fed PELF had higher superoxide dismutase (SOD, p < 0.05), immunoglobulin A (IgA), and IL-10 levels and lower IL-6 and malondialdehyde (MDA, p < 0.05) levels than those fed CON. Plasma cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine, uric acid, and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels decreased; however, high-density lipoprotein (HDL, p < 0.05) levels increased in the PELF groups. The addition of PELF reduced the pathogenic counts in the intestines of chicks (p < 0.05). Moreover, increased expression of IGF-1 and MUC-2 genes was observed in the PELF3 and PELF6 groups, whereas the expression of SLC15A1 increased in the PELF6 group. In conclusion, growth performance, immunity, gene expression, oxidative stability, and gut microbiota can all be significantly enhanced by early feeding with PELF. This study demonstrated an effective technique for applying early feeding of PELF in ostrich chicks. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism)
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18 pages, 2589 KB  
Article
Effects of Adding Sodium Diacetate and Aspergillus oryzae to TMR Diets on Lactating Camel Production Performance, Milk Quality, and Fecal Microbiota
by Ziting Wang, Jingjing Wu, Dehang Song, Qiyuan Deng, Ali Har, Zhijun Zhang and Wenxin Zheng
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 156; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020156 - 5 Feb 2026
Viewed by 380
Abstract
Camel milk is highly valued for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, extensive management systems often lead to inconsistent milk quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium diacetate (SDA) and Aspergillus oryzae (AO) as dietary additives on the milk composition [...] Read more.
Camel milk is highly valued for its nutritional and therapeutic properties. However, extensive management systems often lead to inconsistent milk quality. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of sodium diacetate (SDA) and Aspergillus oryzae (AO) as dietary additives on the milk composition and fecal microbiota of lactating Bactrian camels. Thirty camels of similar parity were randomly assigned to three groups: a control group (TMR), an SDA group (1000 mg/kg DM), and an AO group (40 g/d). The trial lasted 45 days, including a 15-day acclimation period. Routine milk components were analyzed every 10 days, while fatty acids and fecal microbiota were assessed on day 30. Results showed that SDA supplementation significantly increased the concentrations of Vitamin E, Vitamin C, and unsaturated fatty acids (UFA) in milk without affecting milk yield or routine components. Microbiota analysis indicated that SDA treatment significantly increased the abundance of the fungal genus Melanocarpus, although no broad shifts in microbial community structure were observed across groups. In conclusion, dietary SDA (1000 mg/kg) effectively enhances bioactive substances in camel milk while maintaining stable milk quality. These findings suggest that SDA is a viable “green” additive for improving the functional value of camel milk in intensive production systems. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism)
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16 pages, 271 KB  
Article
Ensiling Time and Mixed Microbe Fermented Liquid Modulate In Vitro Digestibility and Rumen Fermentation of Fermented Total Mixed Rations
by Sineenart Polyorach, Wichai Suphalucksana, Ampon Klompanya, Chalermpon Yuangklang, Metha Wanapat, Seangla Cheas, Anusorn Cherdthong, Sungchhang Kang, Pongsatorn Gunun, Nirawan Gunun, Suban Foiklang, Phongthorn Kongmun, Nattaya Montri and Kanokrat Srikijkasemwat
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(1), 6; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13010006 - 20 Dec 2025
Viewed by 767
Abstract
This study investigated how varying the ensiling period and the level of mixed microbes fermented liquid (MMFL) influences the chemical composition, in vitro degradability, rumen fermentation profile, and microbial ecology of fermented total mixed rations (FTMR). A completely randomized 4 × 4 factorial [...] Read more.
This study investigated how varying the ensiling period and the level of mixed microbes fermented liquid (MMFL) influences the chemical composition, in vitro degradability, rumen fermentation profile, and microbial ecology of fermented total mixed rations (FTMR). A completely randomized 4 × 4 factorial design was used, incorporating four fermentation durations (0, 7, 14, and 21 days) and four MMFL inclusion rates (0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5% of DM). Both factors exerted significant effects on FTMR quality (p < 0.05). The combination of a 14-day fermentation period with 0.5% MMFL consistently produced the most desirable outcomes. Under these conditions, crude protein concentration rose from 12.0% to 14.3% of DM, while neutral-detergent fiber declined from 54.2% to 49.1%. Improvements were also observed in in vitro digestibility, with DM and OM increasing by 9–12% relative to the untreated control (p < 0.05). Fermentation end-products were enhanced, as total volatile fatty acids increased by 15% (92.4 vs. 80.1 mmol/L), and the molar proportion of propionate increased from 24.5 to 29.2 mol/100 mol, thereby lowering the acetate-to-propionate ratio (2.4 vs. 3.0; p < 0.05). Estimated methane production declined by 18% (p < 0.01). Microbial counts reflected a shift toward a more efficient fermentative community, with bacterial and fungal populations increasing by 21% and 18%, and protozoa decreasing by 25% (p < 0.05). Overall, moderate MMFL supplementation during a 14-day ensiling phase enhanced nutrient conservation and fermentation efficiency, suggesting practical value for improving FTMR utilization in ruminant systems. Further in vivo and economic evaluations remain necessary. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism)

Review

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17 pages, 1023 KB  
Review
Potential Complementary Modulation of Rumen Fermentation and Lipid Metabolism in Sheep: A Hypothesis Framework for Fermented Chinese Chive Juice and Black Soldier Fly-Derived Fatty Acids
by Kaimin Niu, Lei Wang, Yujie Lu, Zhihong Zhang, Ping Sheng and Zongpei Zhao
Vet. Sci. 2026, 13(2), 173; https://doi.org/10.3390/vetsci13020173 - 9 Feb 2026
Viewed by 402
Abstract
Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum), an edible and medicinal herb, has attracted attention for its distinctive flavor and bioactive potential. Evidence indicates that fermentation can enhance its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and fermented preparations have been explored as feed additives to reduce [...] Read more.
Chinese chive (Allium tuberosum), an edible and medicinal herb, has attracted attention for its distinctive flavor and bioactive potential. Evidence indicates that fermentation can enhance its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities, and fermented preparations have been explored as feed additives to reduce reliance on antibiotics in poultry. By contrast, evidence in ruminants—particularly sheep—remains limited, and the metabolic consequences of Chinese chive-derived compounds are not yet well defined. In parallel, fatty acids from black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens) larvae, with lauric acid as a prominent component, have been reported to influence rumen fermentation and aspects of lipid metabolism, suggesting a possible route to improve product traits. This review synthesizes the literature on Chinese chive and BSFL fatty acids, critically appraises how their constituents may relate to sheep nutritional metabolism, and advances a hypothesis that fermented Chinese chive juice (FCCJ) could complement black soldier fly larvae-derived fatty acids (BSFL-FA) in regulating rumen fermentation, lipid metabolism, and product quality in sheep. While the literature supports plausible complementarity, direct evidence for synergy in ruminants is still scarce and should be tested through controlled in vitro screening and well-designed in vivo sheep studies. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Feed Fermentation and Animal Health: Nutrition and Metabolism)
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