Search Results (10)

This investigation presents a rigorous comparative evaluation of methanolic and hexanoic extracts from Takhrai (Cymbopogon citratus) leaves against commercial antioxidants for mitigating oxidative stress in heat-stressed ruminants. Phytochemical profiling revealed significantly higher concentrations of bioactive compounds in methanolic extracts, particularly ascorbic acid (2.12 ± 0.08 mg/g), sinapic acid (0.71 ± 0.03 mg/g), and apigenin (0.38 ± 0.02 mg/g). Methanolic extracts demonstrated exceptional antioxidant activities (DPPH IC₅₀ = 36.62 ± 0.65 μg/mL), superior erythrocyte protection (hemoglobin oxidation IC₅₀ = 12.06 ± 0.29 μg/mL), and robust Nrf2 pathway activation (HO-1 induction = 3.42 ± 0.17-fold). Metabolomic analyses revealed preservation of glutathione metabolism and attenuation of lipid peroxidation product accumulation. Immunomodulatory assessment demonstrated significant reduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α reduced by 54.3 ± 4.8%) and enhancement of anti-inflammatory mediators following LPS challenge. While storage stability presented limitations at ambient conditions (52.4 ± 3.7% activity retention after 6 months), refrigeration substantially improved preservation (92.3 ± 2.8%). Comprehensive effectiveness ranking across twelve parameters positioned methanolic extracts (mean score 1.7) comparable to vitamin E (1.6) and superior to other interventions. Collectively, these findings establish methanolic Takhrai extracts as promising sustainable alternatives to commercial antioxidants, with particular relevance for ruminant production in tropical regions Full article

This meta-analysis systematically evaluates the efficacy of dietary interventions for mitigating enteric methane production in ruminants through the application of advanced statistical methodologies. A comprehensive dataset comprising 119 peer-reviewed publications (2000–2024) was analyzed using robust variance estimation, multilevel modeling, and network meta-analysis to quantify intervention efficacy and identify moderating factors while properly accounting for within-study dependencies. The results demonstrate a clear efficacy hierarchy of macroalgae (51.0% reduction [95% CI: 37.0–63.0%]), 3-nitrooxypropanol (3-NOP; 30.6% [95% CI: 22.0–45.0%]), nitrate (16.0% [95% CI: 6.0–26.0%]), oils (14.7% [95% CI: 5.0–24.0%]), and phytochemicals (13.5% [95% CI: 4.0–22.0%]). The meta-regression analyses identified significant dose–response relationships for macroalgae (coefficient = −0.212, p < 0.001), 3-NOP (coefficient = −0.002, p < 0.001), nitrate (coefficient = −0.045, p = 0.004), and oils (coefficient = −0.031, p = 0.008), with animal type significantly moderating efficacy across interventions. The temporal trend analysis revealed significant efficacy improvements for macroalgae, nitrate, and phytochemicals (p < 0.05). The examination of intervention combinations identified synergistic effects for tannin + nitrate (ratio = 1.25) and 3-NOP + macroalgae (ratio = 1.12) combinations. The integration of efficacy data with implementation factors demonstrated substantial variation in practical viability, with 3-NOP, oils, and nitrate demonstrating the most favorable implementation profiles despite macroalgae’s superior efficacy. This comprehensive synthesis provides a quantitative foundation for developing targeted methane mitigation strategies across diverse ruminant production systems. Full article

Purple Napier grass is a semi-dwarf, purple-leaved Napier grass. The purple color is anthocyanins. Anthocyanin is classified as a group of flavonoids. It has antioxidant properties. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of plant spacing and harvesting age on the forage yield, morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and anthocyanin composition of purple Napier grass. An experiment was conducted to determine the effect of plant spacing and harvesting age on the forage yield, morphological characteristics, chemical composition, and anthocyanin composition of purple Napier grass when grown on a sandy soil. The cultivars were Napier Pakchong 1 (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum cv. Pakchong 1) and purple Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum “Prince”), with plant spacings of 50 × 50, 50 × 75, and 75 × 75 cm, and the harvesting ages were 45, 60, and 75 days. The experiment was a 2 × 3 × 3 factorial layout in a randomized complete block design with four replications, for a total of 72 plots, each 5 × 5 m. The purple Napier grass had a higher number of tillers per plant than the Napier Pakchong 1 grass. The LSR value (leaf/stem ratio) was influenced by the interaction of cultivar × plant spacing × harvesting age. The purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days had the highest LSR value. The crude protein of the purple Napier grass, the grass planted at 75 × 75 cm, and the grass for 45 days were significantly higher than the other treatments. The purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days had the highest (p < 0.05) anthocyanin content. It was concluded that purple Napier grass planted at 75 × 75 cm for 45 days would contain the proper number of tillers per plant, LSR value, chemical composition for ruminants, and the highest anthocyanin composition. Full article

Due to its advantageous antioxidant phytochemical components, Psidium guajava L. has become an indispensable plant in pharmaceutical formulations, playing a crucial role in safeguarding human health. On ruminant animals, however, there has been limited investigation. The purpose of this investigation was to assess the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of Farang (P. guajava L.) leaf extracts for ruminant health. Methanolic and hexanoic extracts from various agricultural areas were prepared over a five-month period. By means of HPLC-DAD, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), essential oil (eugenol), tannin (gallic acid), cinnamic acids (caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid, and ferulic acid), and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol) were detected and quantified. Solvent type, but not cultivation site or sampling time, explained the observed variation in phytochemical profile. Phytochemicals were found in lower concentrations in hexanoic extracts than in methanolic extracts. Catechin and sinapic acid were discovered to be the two most abundant phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of Farang leaf, followed by other phenolic compounds, essential oils, and water-soluble vitamins. Compared with the methanolic extract, the hexanoic extract of Farang leaves was less effective at scavenging oxidation in terms of 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), nitric oxide, and superoxide, and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. Hexanoic extract was found to be less protective against oxidative damage in ruminant erythrocytes than methanolic extract in terms of inhibiting hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis. According to the findings of this study, the leaves of Farang (P. guajava L.) are a potential source of phytochemical compounds with wellness properties for ruminant production. Full article

Sauropus androgynus has become an essential plant in pharmaceutical formulations due to its beneficial antioxidant phytochemical components, participating in the antioxidant defense system and playing an important role in protecting human health. However, no research has been conducted on ruminant animals. This study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical profiles and biological potential of S. androgynus leaf extracts for ruminant health. Methanolic and hexanoic extracts from each commercially and noncommercially cultivated site were prepared over the course of five consecutive months. By means of HPLC-DAD, vitamins (ascorbic acid), essential oils (eugenol), tannins (gallic acid), cinnamic acids (caffeic acid, syringic acid, p-coumaric acid, sinapic acid and ferulic acid), and flavonoids (catechin, rutin, myricetin, quercetin, apigenin, and kaempferol) were detected. Variations in phytochemical composition were depending on solvent type but not on cultivation site or sample period. Methanolic extracts contained more phytochemicals than hexanoic extracts. Ascorbic acid and rutin were discovered to be the two most abundant phytochemicals in the methanolic extract of S. androgynus leaf, followed by essential oils, cinnamic acids, and tannins. In comparison to hexanoic extract, methanolic extract of S. androgynus demonstrated to be more efficient against oxidation scavenging: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (IC₅₀ = 13.14 ± 0.055 (mg/mL)), nitric oxide (IC₅₀ = 55.02 ± 1.338 (mg/mL)) and superoxide (IC₅₀ = 25.31 ± 0.886 (mg/mL)), as well as α-glucosidase inhibitory activity (IC₅₀ = 9.83 ± 0.032 (mg/mL)). Similarly, methanolic was found to be more protective than hexanoic against oxidative damage in ruminant erythrocytes, with IC₅₀ values (mg/mL) for hemoglobin oxidation, lipid peroxidation, and hemolysis of 11.96 ± 0.011, 13.54 ± 0.012, and 5.940 ± 0.005, respectively. These findings suggested that the leaves of S. androgynus are a prospective source of phytochemical substances with health-promoting qualities for ruminant production. Full article

The rapidly growing population has increased demand for protein quantities and, following a shortage of plant-based feed protein sources and the prohibition of animal-based feed protein, has forced the search for new sources of protein. Therefore, humans have turned their attention to edible insects. Black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) (Hermetia illucens L.) are rich in nutrients such as fat, protein and high-quality amino acids and minerals, making them a good source of protein. Furthermore, BSFL are easily reared and propagated on any nutrient substrate such as plant residues, animal manure and waste, food scraps, agricultural byproducts, or straw. Although BSFL cannot completely replace soybean meal in poultry diets, supplementation of less than 20% has no negative impact on chicken growth performance, biochemical indicators and meat quality. In pig studies, although BSFL supplementation did not have any negative effect on growth performance and meat quality, the feed conversion ratio (FCR) was reduced. There is obviously less research on the feeding of BSFL in pigs than in poultry, particularly in relation to weaning piglets and fattening pigs; further research is needed on the supplementation level of sows. Moreover, it has not been found that BSFL are used in ruminants, and the next phase of research could therefore study them. The use of BSFL in animal feed presents some challenges in terms of cost, availability and legal and consumer acceptance. However, this should be considered in the context of the current shortage of protein feed and the nutritional value of BSFL, which has important research significance in animal production. Full article

Anthocyanin-rich black cane (aBC) is a grass rich in lignin and carbohydrates, with an abundance of anthocyanins. Silages of aBC produced with molasses (MS) and/or ferrous sulphate (FS) mixtures may have beneficial effects on silage quality and animal performance in ruminants. However, the addition of MS and FS to ensiled grass is relatively unexplored. Therefore, this study systematically evaluated the effect of their administration at different doses to select an effective treatment to modulate the ensiling characteristics of aBC. In the first trial, fresh or pre-ensiled materials (PBC) were compared with ensiled PBC treated with: 0% MS 0% FS, 4% MS, 8% MS, 0.015% FS, 0.030% FS, 4% MS + 0.015% FS, 4% MS + 0.030% FS, 8% MS + 0.015% FS, and 8% MS + 0.030% FS on a fresh matter basis. The quality of ensiling characteristics was determined in laboratory-scale silos after 42 d of preservation. Based on these results, the second trial was further conducted in rumen cultures to ensure that the selected treatment would not impair rumen fermentation. For this, ruminal biogases, rumen fermentation profiles, and microbial communities were evaluated. Ensiled PBC with the incremental addition of MS and FS resulted in the observations for anthocyanin contents and the ensiling characteristics of the aBC silages. The combination of MS (4%) and FS (0.030%) incorporated into silages had the highest silage production effect among the experimental treatments. This combination demonstrated the sustainable mitigation of the ruminal biogases of methane and carbon dioxide without impairment of total gas production. Concurrently, this combination improved total volatile fatty acid concentrations, modulated cellulolytic bacteria, and suppressed methanogenic bacteria in rumen fluids. The results presented here indicated that addition of a mixture of 4% MS and 0.030% FS to aBC resulted in an optimal balance of ensiling characteristics and is suitable for use in ruminants. Full article

There is a growing demand to enhance pharmaceutical and food safety using synergistic compounds from Piper sarmentosum Roxb., such as polyphenols and water-soluble vitamins. However, information on standardized analytical methods to identify and quantify these compounds of interest is limited. A reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography with diode-array detection (HPLC-DAD)-based method was developed to simultaneously detect and quantify the amounts of tannin, flavonoid, cinnamic acid, essential oil, and vitamins extracted from P. sarmentosum leaves using methanol, chloroform, and hexane. Commercially and non-commercially-cultivated P. sarmentosum leaves were subjected to seven different drying treatments (shade; sun; air oven at 40 °C, 60 °C, 80 °C, and 100 °C; and freeze-drying) for three consecutive months. Most compounds were detected most efficiently at a detection wavelength of 272 nm. The developed method displayed good detection limits (LOD, 0.026–0.789 µg/mL; LOQ, 0.078–2.392 µg/mL), linearity (R² > 0.999), precision (%RSD, <1.00), and excellent accuracy (96–102%). All P. sarmentosum leaf extracts were simultaneously tested and analytically compared without time-consuming fractionation. Methanolic plant extracts showed better peak area and retention time splits compared to chloroformic and hexanoic extracts. Differences in synergistic compound composition were dependent on the type of drying treatment but not on cultivation site and time of sampling. Flavonoid was identified as the dominant phytochemical component in P. sarmentosum leaves, followed by the essential oil, cinnamic acid, ascorbic acid, and tannin. Overall, we present a simple and reproducible chromatographic method that can be applied to identify different plant compounds. Full article

In some geographical areas and in certain breeding situations, the interpretation of increased gain in the bovine is difficult to investigate. Due to their inherent genetic variations, their energy and protein needs vary as a function of inherent genetic differences, making these requirements difficult to accurately assess in bull species, e.g., Thai swamp buffalo. The study aimed at investigating and predicting protein requirement systems, by the provision of an abundant energy intake of 2.2 Mcal/kg DM for the maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes using a comparative prolonged feeding trial for 90 days. Sixteen bull Thai swamp buffaloes at the initial (Age: 18–24 months; BW: 233 ± 25.0 kg) were assigned into four treatment groups, four buffaloes each, fed 5.4, 6.6, 8.5, and 10.5% DM crude protein (CP). CP intake, BW, and physiological fluid were determined. The net CP requirements for maintenance and growth of Thai swamp buffaloes were 5.41 g CP/kg W^0.75 and 0.46 g CP/g average daily gain (ADG), respectively. Our results indicated that CP requirement increases when the BW increases. An increased dietary CP resulted in increased amounts of blood urine nitrogen (N), N absorption, total volatile fatty acid, urinary purine derivative, and the microbial N. Notably, the net CP requirement for growth of Thai swamp buffalo was higher than it reported in NRC, but the maintenance was lower. Full article

The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of the fungal treatment (Pleurotus ostreatus) of urea-treated rice stubble on growth performance in slow-growing goats. Eighteen crossbred Thai-native x Anglo-Nubian male goats (average body weight: 20.4 ± 2.0 kg) were randomly assigned to three experimental total mixed rations containing 35% rice stubble (RS) that were either untreated (URS), urea treated (UTRS), or treated with urea and fungi (UFTRS). URS and UTRS were cultivated and harvested from an aseptically fungal spawn, incubated at 25–30 °C for 25 days. Indicators of growth performance were monitored, and feces were collected quantitatively to assess nutrient digestibility, during a 12-week feeding trial. All goats remained healthy throughout the experiment. The goats fed UFTRS had a lower feed conversion ratio (kg feed/kg growth) compared to goats fed URS or UTRS. Compared to URS, dietary UFTRS increased the nutrient digestibility of slow-growing goats, such as organic matter (OM) (+8.5%), crude protein (CP) (+5.5%), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) (+39.2%), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) (+27.4%). Likewise, dietary UFTRS tended to increase rumen ammonia concentrations, but rumen pH and volatile fatty acids were not affected by UFTRS. In conclusion, the present study indicates that the fungal treatment of RS is an effective tool to improve the growth performance of slow-growing goats. Full article