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Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health
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Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health

A special issue of Animals (ISSN 2076-2615). This special issue belongs to the section "Animal Nutrition".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2024 | Viewed by 5198

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Valentina Serra

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences, University of Milan, 26900 Lodi, Italy
Interests: animal nutrition; feed additives; innovative additives; animal health; animal science; phytogenics; botanicals; natural extracts
Dr. Alessandro Guerrini

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, 20133 Milano, Italy
Interests: animal nutrition; animal health; animal performance; phytoextracts; bioactive compounds; feed additives; phytopharmacology; phytotoxicology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

As a result of the decision to ban antibiotics in animal feed in most developed countries (i.e., Europe and the United States), research on alternative natural feed additives has significantly increased. Phytogenic feed additives are a wide range of plant-derived products (e.g., herbs, spices, essential/aromatic oils, oleoresins) which exhibit a wide range of activities, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticoccidial, and anthelmintic properties thanks to the presence of bioactive compounds mainly belonging to the classes of isoprene derivatives and flavonoids.

The dietary supplementation of phytogenic additives has been shown to exert beneficial effects on animals' health (gut, immune system, antioxidant defenses, etc.), growth performance, nutrient retention, and intestinal microflora, leading to reduced susceptibility to diseases.

This Special Issue aims to publish original research papers and review articles related to applying phytogenic feed additives to improve the welfare of livestock, poultry, and fish species. Particular emphasis will be on studies focusing on the antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory activities of phytoextracts on animals' organisms, correlating to the composition of phytoextracts.

Dr. Valentina Serra
Dr. Alessandro Guerrini
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

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. Animals is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly 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 2400 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

  • plant extracts
  • phytogenic feed additive
  • phytoextracts
  • animal health
  • performance
  • livestock
  • aquaculture
  • antioxidant
  • anti-inflammatory

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

11 pages, 565 KiB  
Article
Capsaicin as a Dietary Additive for Dairy Cows: A Meta-Analysis on Performance, Milk Composition, Digestibility, Rumen Fermentation, and Serum Metabolites
by José Felipe Orzuna-Orzuna, Juan Eduardo Godina-Rodríguez, Jonathan Raúl Garay-Martínez and Alejandro Lara-Bueno
Animals 2024, 14(7), 1075; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071075 - 02 Apr 2024
Viewed by 570
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with capsaicin (CAP) on productive performance, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and serum metabolites of dairy cows using a meta-analytical approach. The database included 13 studies, from which the response variables of [...] Read more.
This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with capsaicin (CAP) on productive performance, milk composition, nutrient digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and serum metabolites of dairy cows using a meta-analytical approach. The database included 13 studies, from which the response variables of interest were obtained. Data were analyzed using a random effects model, and results were expressed as weighted mean differences between treatments supplemented with and without CAP. Dietary supplementation with CAP increased (p < 0.05) dry matter intake, milk yield, feed efficiency, milk fat yield, and milk fat content. However, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) milk protein and lactose yield, milk urea nitrogen, or milk somatic cell count. Greater (p < 0.05) apparent digestibility of dry matter and crude protein was observed in response to the dietary inclusion of CAP. Likewise, supplementation with CAP increased (p < 0.05) the rumen concentration of total volatile fatty acids. In contrast, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) ruminal pH or the ruminal concentration of ammonia nitrogen, acetate, propionate, and butyrate. In blood serum, CAP supplementation increased (p < 0.05) the glucose concentration and decreased (p < 0.05) the concentration of non-esterified fatty acids. However, CAP supplementation did not affect (p > 0.05) the serum concentration of urea and beta-hydroxybutyrate. In conclusion, capsaicin can be used as a dietary additive to improve the productive performance, milk composition, and nutrient digestibility in dairy cows and, at the same time, improve the ruminal concentration of total volatile fatty acids and serum levels of glucose and non-esterified fatty acids. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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16 pages, 1255 KiB  
Article
Effect of Moringa oleifera Leaf Extract on the Growth Performance, Hematology, Innate Immunity, and Disease Resistance of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) against Streptococcus agalactiae Biotype 2
by Manoj Tukaram Kamble, Wenresti Gallardo, Krishna Rugmini Salin, Suntree Pumpuang, Balasaheb Ramdas Chavan, Ram Chandra Bhujel, Seema Vijay Medhe, Aikkarach Kettawan, Kim D. Thompson and Nopadon Pirarat
Animals 2024, 14(6), 953; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060953 - 19 Mar 2024
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Abstract
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf (MLE) extract-supplemented diets on the growth, feed utilization, hematology, innate immune response, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia against Streptococcus agalactiae Biotype 2. Four hundred and fifty Nile tilapia (32.61 ± [...] Read more.
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of Moringa oleifera leaf (MLE) extract-supplemented diets on the growth, feed utilization, hematology, innate immune response, and disease resistance of Nile tilapia against Streptococcus agalactiae Biotype 2. Four hundred and fifty Nile tilapia (32.61 ± 0.2 g/fish) were randomly allocated into fifteen tanks (30 fish/tank). Different concentrations of MLE at 0%, 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% were fed to the Nile tilapia for 30 days, and the growth, feed utilization, hematology, and innate immune response of the Nile tilapia were determined. After the feeding trial, the Nile tilapia were challenged with a S. agalactiae Biotype 2 infection, and the relative percentage of survival (RPS) was determined. Results revealed the presence of quercetin, kaempferol, and p-coumaric acid in the MLE extract, exhibiting stronger antimicrobial activity against S. agalactiae Biotype 2. The diets supplemented with the MLE-0.5 group showed a significantly higher growth, feed utilization, hematology, and innate immune response in the Nile tilapia compared to the control and other MLE groups. Additionally, the MLE-0.5 group exhibited a significantly higher RPS of the Nile tilapia against S. agalactiae Biotype 2. Therefore, MLE-0.5 can be employed as an alternative feed supplement in sustainable Nile tilapia farming to protect against S. agalactiae Biotype 2. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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14 pages, 2035 KiB  
Article
Influence of Different Plant Extracts on CYP-Mediated Skatole and Indole Degradation in Pigs
by Philipp Marro, Raffael Wesoly and Volker Stefanski
Animals 2024, 14(6), 888; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14060888 - 13 Mar 2024
Viewed by 544
Abstract
One of the primary substances responsible for the unpleasant odor in boar meat is skatole. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family play a pivotal role in the hepatic clearance of skatole. This study aimed to investigate the impact of oregano essential [...] Read more.
One of the primary substances responsible for the unpleasant odor in boar meat is skatole. Enzymes belonging to the cytochrome P450 (CYP) family play a pivotal role in the hepatic clearance of skatole. This study aimed to investigate the impact of oregano essential oil (OEO), Schisandra chinensis extract (SC), and garlic essential oil (GEO) on hepatic CYP2E1 and CYP2A activity in pigs. In three consecutive trials, cannulated castrated male pigs were provided with a diet containing 0.2–0.3% of one of these plant extracts. Following a 14-day feeding period, the animals were slaughtered, and liver and fat samples were collected. The findings indicate that the activities of CYP2E1 were unaffected by any treatment. However, GEO treatment demonstrated a significant reduction in CYP2A activity (p < 0.05). Pigs treated with GEO also exhibited a notable increase in skatole concentrations in both plasma and adipose tissue. In contrast, animals fed SC displayed elevated skatole concentrations in plasma but not in fat tissue. OEO did not influence skatole concentrations in either blood or fat. Furthermore, the study revealed that a supplementation of 6 g GEO per animal per day induced a significant increase in skatole concentrations in blood plasma within 24 h. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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22 pages, 3114 KiB  
Article
Effects of Dietary Terminalia chebula Extract on Growth Performance, Immune Function, Antioxidant Capacity, and Intestinal Health of Broilers
by Ying Cheng, Shida Liu, Fang Wang, Tao Wang, Lichen Yin, Jiashun Chen and Chenxing Fu
Animals 2024, 14(5), 746; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14050746 - 28 Feb 2024
Viewed by 779
Abstract
Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) has many physiological functions and is potentially helpful in maintaining poultry health, but its specific effect on the growth of broilers is not yet known. This research investigated the effects of dietary Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) supplementation on growth [...] Read more.
Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) has many physiological functions and is potentially helpful in maintaining poultry health, but its specific effect on the growth of broilers is not yet known. This research investigated the effects of dietary Terminalia chebula extract (TCE) supplementation on growth performance, immune function, antioxidant capacity, and intestinal health in yellow-feathered broilers. A total of 288 one-day-old yellow-feathered broilers were divided into four treatment groups (72 broilers/group), each with six replicates of 12 broilers. The broilers were given a basal diet of corn–soybean meal supplemented with 0 (control), 200, 400, and 600 mg/kg TCE for 56 d. The results demonstrated that, compared with the basal diet, the addition of TCE significantly increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the final body weight and overall weight gain and performance and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the feed-to-gain ratio in the overall period. Dietary TCE increased (linear, p < 0.05) the levels of IgM, IL-4, and IL-10 and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IL-6 in the serum. Dietary TCE increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the levels of IL-2 and IL-4, decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IL-1β, and decreased (linear, p < 0.05) the level of IL-6 in the liver. Dietary TCE increased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the level of IgM and IL-10, increased (linear, p < 0.05) the level of IgG, and decreased (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) the levels of IL-1β and IL-6 in the spleen. Supplementation with TCE linearly and quadratically increased (p < 0.05) the catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase, and total antioxidant capacity activities while decreasing (p < 0.05) the malonic dialdehyde concentrations in the serum, liver, and spleen. TCE-containing diets for broilers resulted in a higher (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) villus height, a higher (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) ratio of villus height to crypt depth, and a lower (linear and quadratic, p < 0.05) crypt depth compared with the basal diet. TCE significantly increased (linear, p < 0.05) the acetic and butyric acid concentrations and decreased (quadratic, p < 0.05) the isovaleric acid concentration. Bacteroidaceae and Bacteroides, which regulate the richness and diversity of microorganisms, were more abundant and contained when TCE was added to the diet. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that supplementing broilers with TCE could boost their immune function, antioxidant capacity, and gut health, improving their growth performance; they could also provide a reference for future research on TCE. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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12 pages, 1345 KiB  
Article
Diet Supplementation with Prinsepiae Nux Extract in Broiler Chickens: Its Effect on Growth Performance and Expression of Antioxidant, Pro-Inflammatory, and Heat Shock Protein Genes
by Hong-Loan Tran, Yi-Siao Chen, His-Wen Hung, Bor-Ling Shih, Tsung-Yu Lee, Chia-Hung Yen and Jeng-Bin Lin
Animals 2024, 14(1), 73; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010073 - 24 Dec 2023
Viewed by 785
Abstract
Heat stress significantly undermines the poultry industry by escalating rates of morbidity and mortality and impairing growth performance. Our recent findings indicate that Prinsepiae Nux extract (PNE) effectively stimulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway, a vital element in cellular antioxidant stress responses. This study [...] Read more.
Heat stress significantly undermines the poultry industry by escalating rates of morbidity and mortality and impairing growth performance. Our recent findings indicate that Prinsepiae Nux extract (PNE) effectively stimulates the Nrf2 signaling pathway, a vital element in cellular antioxidant stress responses. This study further explores the prospective benefits of supplementing PNE into poultry feed to enhance broiler growth in heat-stressed conditions. An Nrf2-luciferase reporter assay was developed in a chicken fibroblast cell line, demonstrating that PNE induces Nrf2 activity in a concentration-dependent manner. Real-time RT-PCR results showed that PNE intensifies the expression of Nrf2-responsive targets such as Ho1 and Nqo1 in chicken fibroblasts. A total of 160 one-day-old Arbor Acres broiler chicks were randomly assigned into four groups, each receiving a basal diet supplemented with either 0% (control), 0.1% PNE, 1% PNE, or commercial electrolyte for 35 days. Broilers were raised in an environment where the ambient temperature exceeded 30 °C for approximately seven hours each day, fluctuating between 26 and 34 °C, which is known to induce mild heat stress. The findings reveal that a 1% PNE supplement led to a significant decrease in the feed conversion ratio (FCR) compared to the control group. Moreover, chickens supplemented with 1% PNE exhibited a substantial increase in hepatic mRNA expression of antioxidant genes, such as Nqo1, Gclc, Sod2, Cat, and heat shock protein-related genes including Hsp90 and Hsf1, and a decrease in pro-inflammatory cytokine genes Il-6 and Il-1β. Consequently, PNE holds potential as a feed supplement to strengthen the antioxidant defenses of broilers and build heat stress resilience in the poultry industry. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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19 pages, 1272 KiB  
Article
Growth Performance, Metabolomics, and Microbiome Responses of Weaned Pigs Fed Diets Containing Growth-Promoting Antibiotics and Various Feed Additives
by Michaela P. Trudeau, Wes Mosher, Huyen Tran, Brenda de Rodas, Theodore P. Karnezos, Pedro E. Urriola, Andres Gomez, Milena Saqui-Salces, Chi Chen and Gerald C. Shurson
Animals 2024, 14(1), 60; https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14010060 - 23 Dec 2023
Viewed by 1008
Abstract
The objective of this study was to determine the potential biological mechanisms of improved growth performance associated with potential changes in the metabolic profiles and intestinal microbiome composition of weaned pigs fed various feed additives. Three separate 42 day experiments were conducted to [...] Read more.
The objective of this study was to determine the potential biological mechanisms of improved growth performance associated with potential changes in the metabolic profiles and intestinal microbiome composition of weaned pigs fed various feed additives. Three separate 42 day experiments were conducted to evaluate the following dietary treatments: chlortetracycline and sulfamethazine (PC), herbal blends, turmeric, garlic, bitter orange extract, sweet orange extract, volatile and semi-volatile milk-derived substances, yeast nucleotide, and cell wall products, compared with feeding a non-supplemented diet (NC). In all three experiments, only pigs fed PC had improved (p < 0.05) ADG and ADFI compared with pigs fed NC. No differences in metabolome and microbiome responses were observed between feed additive treatments and NC. None of the feed additives affected alpha or beta microbiome diversity in the ileum and cecum, but the abundance of specific bacterial taxa was affected by some dietary treatments. Except for feeding antibiotics, none of the other feed additives were effective in improving growth performance or significantly altering the metabolomic profiles, but some additives (e.g., herbal blends and garlic) increased (p < 0.05) the relative abundance of potentially protective bacterial genera that may be beneficial during disease challenge in weaned pigs. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Plant Extracts as Feed Additives in Animal Nutrition and Health)
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Planned Papers

The below list represents only planned manuscripts. Some of these manuscripts have not been received by the Editorial Office yet. Papers submitted to MDPI journals are subject to peer-review.

Title: Effect of Astragalus mollissimus on ruminal fermentation, methane production and performance of sheep´s
Authors: Jagoba Rey-Gotxi; L. Yuviana Martínez-Cordova; Aser García; Robin C. Anderson; Felipe A. Rodríguez-Almeida; Monserrath Felix-Portillo; Aleksandar K. Božić; America Chávez-Martínez; Adrián O. Máynez-Pérez; Einar Vargas Bello-Pérez; and Agustin Corral-Luna2
Affiliation: Jagoba Rey-Gotxi (jagobareygotxi@gmail.com). NEIKER Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. N-104, km. 355 – 01192 Arkaute (Álava). Spain. L. Yuviana Martínez-Cordova (yuvianamtz20@gmail.com). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Aser García (aserg@neiker.eus). NEIKER Instituto Vasco de Investigación y Desarrollo Agrario. N-104, km. 355 – 01192 Arkaute (Álava). Spain. Robin C. Anderson (robin.anderson@usda.gov). USDA/ARS, Food & Feed Safety Research Unit, 2118 F&B Road, College Station, Texas 77845, USA Felipe A. Rodríguez-Almeida (frodrigu@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Monserrath Felix-Portillo (monserrath.felix@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Aleksandar K. Božić (aleksandar.bozic@stocarstvo.edu.rs). Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia America Chávez-Martinez (amchavez@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Adrián O. Máynez-Pérez (amchavez@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Einar Vargas Bello-Pérez (evargasb@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México Agustin Corral-Luna (acorral@uach.mx). Facultad de Zootecnia y Ecología. Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua. Periférico Francisco R. Almada km 1, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, 31453, México
Abstract: Astragallus mollissimus is a plant found in semiarid environments, it is also known to be responsible for cattle poisoning in rangelands of the south of the United States and the northern of Mexico. There is known A. mollissimus contains the nitrocompounds 3-nitro-propanol (3NPOH) and 3-nitro-propionic acid (3NPA). Recent studies have shown its antimethanogenic capacity, however, little is known about the effects of direct supplementation in basal diets. In the present study, two experiments were carried out to determine CH4 and volatile fatty acids production, animal performance, and the presence of nitrocompounds in blood. In experiment 1, four Pelibuey breed sheep (BW0 52.8 ± 6-05 kg) were assigned to a 4x4 latin square arrangement. In experiment 2, 20 Dorper breed sheep were randomized to five treatments. In both experiments, the A. mollissimus was supplemented fully homogenized in diets consisting of oat hay 67% and concentrate 33%. The supplementation with different doses of nitrocompounds reduces (P≤ 0.05) the total gas and methane production. Methane was reduced by 60% when 1 gr AM kg PV d was supplemented. Regarding the animal performance traits evaluated in experiment 2, no effects were observed in feed consumption and average daily gain. However, feed conversion was increased by AM supplementation. Finally, no differences were observed for nitrocompounds in plasma. These results suggest that 3NPA and 3NPOH from biological sources possess viable characteristics to be considered as antimethanogenic alternatives; however, research is needed to investigate the way of production or extraction from plants.

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