Effect of increasing levels of seven tree species extracts added to a high concentrate diet on in vitro rumen gas output

A comprehensive account on ethnobotany, phytochemistry and pharmacological insights of genus Celtis

The plants of Celtis L. genus have been traditionally used to cure aches, sore throats, fevers, cancer, sexually transmitted diseases, sexual weakness, diarrhea, stomach problems, amenorrhea, menstrual disorders, kidney stones, and pain. The review aims to give a comprehensive account of the current state of ethnopharmacology, phytochemistry, and biological activities of the Celtis genus, as well as to describe the potential area of future avenues. Information on the Celtis genus was obtained from internet sources such as Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and so on by using appropriate keywords, including ethnobotanical, pharmacological, pharmaceutical, bioactivity, phytochemistry, and botanical features of the Celtis genus. This review identified 14 species in the genus Celtis that have a phytopharmacological investigation, including C.africana Burm. f., C. australis L., C. occidentalis L., C. sinensis Pers., C. philippensis Blanco., C. tetrandra Roxb., C. tessmannii Rendle., C. jessoensis Koidz., C. adolfi-friderici Engl., C. iguanaea (Jacq.) Sarg., C. laevigata Wild., C. pallida Torr., C. zenkeri Engl., and C. tournefortii Lam. This genus contains many classified phytoconstituents, such as terpenoids, organic acids, flavonoids, and volatile compounds. Their extracts and pure substances have been shown to have the same anticancer, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, hepatoprotective, cardioprotective, urease-inhibiting, and antidiarrheal properties as their traditional uses. In terms of current information on ethnopharmacology, phytochemicals, and pharmacological uses, the data acquired in this review could be beneficial and needed for future research. Some phytoconstituents (for instance, kaempferol, myricetin, quercetin, and eugenol) and extracts (for example, leaves, seeds, and ripe fruits extracts of C. australis) showed tremendous results in preliminary testing with promising antimicrobial, anticancer, and urease inhibitory effects. Further research and clinical investigations are needed to develop them as lead compounds and neutraceuticals, which may provide an advance over traditional medicinal systems.

Fennel seeds dietary inclusion as a sustainable approach to reduce methane production and improve nutrient utilization and ruminal fermentation

Ruminants are considered a major producer of methane (CH4 ). Therefore, the present study aimed to determine the ability of dry fennel seeds to affect in vitro gas production and fermentation. Fennel seeds were included at 0% (Control), 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% DM of a diet containing per kg DM: 500 g concentrate feed mixture, 400 g berseem hay, and 100 g of rice straw. The incubations lasted 48 h. Fennel seeds increased (P < 0.001) the asymptotic gas production and decreased its rate, while decreasing the production and proportion of CH4 (P < 0.05) and increased its rate. Moreover, fennel seed increased DM and neutral detergent fiber (P < 0.01) degradability, and increased total production of short-chain fatty acids, acetate, and propionate (P < 0.05). Compared to the control, fennel seeds increased (P < 0.01) metabolizable energy, partitioning factor, and microbial crude protein production. Overall, fennel seeds can be included up to 2% DM in ruminant diets as an environmentally friendly product in animal farming due to its ability to improve feed utilization, ruminal fermentation and while reducing CH4 production.

Phytogenic feed additives mixture enhances the lactational performance, feed utilization and ruminal fermentation of Friesian cows

The assay aimed to evaluate the effect of feeding a recently developed phytogenic feed additives mixture in diets of lactating Friesian cows (n = 30; 514 ± 10.1 kg body weight) for 3 months. Cows were stratified into three groups of 10 cows each and fed a control diet alone or the control diet supplemented with the additives mixture at 3 g (PHY3) or 6 g (PHY6)/cow daily. Menthol, levomenthol, β-linaloolm, anethole, hexadecanoic acid and p-menthane were the principle compounds identified in the additives mixture. The PHY3 increased (p < 0.01) intake and nutrient digestibility. PHY3 and PHY6 increased (p < 0.01) ruminal pH, total volatile fatty acids, propionate and acetate. PHY3 and PHY6 improved serum total protein and antioxidant capacity and decreased the concentrations of serum urea-N, triglycerides, total lipids, cholesterol and malondialdehyde (p < 0.05). PHY3 increased milk production and milk content of total solids, protein, lactose and fat. Both PHY3 and PHY6 did not affect mineral concentrations in blood or milk. It is concluded that the inclusion of 3 g/cow/d of feed additives mixture in the lactating Friesian cows diet enhanced milk production and feed utilization, with negative effects observed with increasing the dose of additives mixture to 6 g/cow daily.

Effect of replacement of antibiotics with thyme and celery seed mixture on the feed intake and digestion, ruminal fermentation, blood chemistry, and milk lactation of lactating Barki ewes

The study investigated the effect of in-feed administration of dried thyme leaf and celery seed mixture (at 1 : 1 w/w) compared with salinomycin ionophore on milk production and milk nutritive value of Barki ewes.

Effects of Moringa oleifera leaf extract on ruminal methane and carbon dioxide production and fermentation kinetics in a steer model

Ruminal fermentation produces greenhouse gases involved in global warming. Therefore, the effect of nutrient combinations on methane, carbon dioxide, and biogas production as well as ruminal fermentation kinetics was evaluated in in vitro studies. In total mixed rations, dietary corn grain was partially replaced by two levels of soybean hulls (a highly reusable residue), and a Moringa oleifera extract (a natural extract) at three concentration levels was added. Higher levels of both soybean hulls and M. oleifera extract delayed the initiation of methane production and resulted in a lower methane and carbon dioxide production. Thus, total biogas production was also lower. Replacement of corn grain by soybean hulls tended to lower methane production rates and asymptotic carbon dioxide production, and a delay in biogas and methane formation was observed. Asymptotic biogas and carbon dioxide production, however, were increased. The presence of M. oleifera extract tended to delay methane formation and to decrease methane production rate as well as asymptotic methane production. Higher M. oleifera extract levels decreased asymptotic biogas production with the control and the highest soybean hull levels. In the presence of M. oleifera extract, asymptotic carbon dioxide production was shown to be quadratically increased with the control and lowest soybean hull levels, but quadratically decreased with the highest soybean hull level. With the exception of fermentation pH, the interaction of substrate type and M. oleifera extract level was shown to have an effect on all fermentation parameters. Most fermentation parameters were shown to be higher when replacing corn grain by soybean hulls, including fermentation pH. Thus, the conclusion could be drawn that corn grain replacement by soybean hulls (an agricultural residue) in the presence of M. oleifera extract (a sparing leaf product) could ameliorate greenhouse gas emissions and improve digestion.