The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of dragon fruit peel polyphenolic extract (DFPE) on gas production, rumen fermentation, and bacterial communities in sika deer using an in vitro technique. Three treatments with different DFPE levels (DFPE0, base diet; DFPE5, base diet + 5 mg/g DFPE; DFPE10, base diet + 10 mg/g DFPE, respectively; n = 6) were implemented. The phenolic composition of DFPE, gas production (GP), ammonia nitrogen (NH₃-N), volatile fatty acid (VFA), and bacteria communities was evaluated after 24 h of incubation. The results showed that GP and NH₃-N were reduced by DFPE supplementation. Total VFA, isovaleric acid, and valeric acid were increased (p < 0.05) by the addition of DFPE. No changes (p > 0.05) were observed in pH, acetic acid, propionic acid, isobutyric acid, butyric acid, and the ratio of acetic acid to propionic acid. Additionally, the alpha indexes, including Sobs, Shannon, and Ace, were increased by DFPE supplementation. Moreover, at the phylum level, DFPE supplementation increased (p = 0.01) Bacteroidota but reduced (p < 0.01) Firmicutes. At the genus level, compared to DFPE0, the DFPE10 had increased relative abundances of Rikenellaceae_RC9_gut_group (p < 0.01), norank_f_Muribaculaceae (p = 0.01), Lachnospiraceae_NK3A20_group (p < 0.01), Christensenellaceae_R-7_group (p < 0.01), and NK4A214_group (p < 0.01), decreased relative abundances of Streptococcus (p < 0.01), Oribacterium (p = 0.01), and Enterococcus (p < 0.01). Compared to DFPE0, DFPE5 had no change (p > 0.05) in all bacteria at the genus level except for decreased relative abundance of Enterococcus (p < 0.01). These results indicated that DFPE may be able to be used as a feed additive to enhance fermentation parameters and improve ruminal bacteria communities in Sika deer.

Paper mulberry ( Broussonetia papyrifera ) has attracted increasing attention as a local feed resource because it combines perennial woody biomass, protein-rich foliage and diverse plant secondary compounds. Its feeding value depends on plant part, harvest stage, processing method, fermentation quality, target animal species and dietary inclusion level. This review examines paper mulberry from feed composition and processing to animal responses, product traits and proposed mechanisms. Current evidence is strongest in ruminants, where paper mulberry silage or fermented feed has been associated with partial roughage replacement, maintained production and changes in rumen fermentation, antioxidant status, nitrogen utilization, milk fatty acids or meat quality under defined dietary conditions. Evidence in pigs, poultry, geese, fish and rabbits is more variable and suggests lower inclusion levels and stricter control of fibre, tannins and processing quality. Mechanistically, silage microbiota, tannin–protein interactions and rumen or hindgut microbial shifts are directly relevant to paper mulberry feeding, whereas nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Nrf2/Keap1), nuclear factor kappa-B/mitogen-activated protein kinase (NF-κB/MAPK) and AMP-activated protein kinase–peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor–sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1 (AMPK–PPAR–SREBP1) pathways should be regarded as candidate explanations unless validated in target tissues. The main gaps include raw-material standardisation, fermentation-quality criteria, dose–response data, shelf-life endpoints and causal validation of proposed mechanisms.

Weaning is challenging for dairy calves, frequently resulting in digestive issues. This highlights the importance of implementing appropriate nutritional strategies to enhance gut health and support optimal growth. Postbiotics is a promising alternative to traditional probiotics, conferring health benefits without the risks associated with live bacteria. This study aimed to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation with a postbiotic from dead-cell Limosilactobacillus ingluviei C37 (postbiotic LIC37) on blood biochemical parameters and jejunal epithelium transcriptomic profiles in calves. Fourteen Holstein bull calves were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 7). The control group (CON) received a basic diet, while the postbiotic group (DCLI) was supplemented with 1 g/d of postbiotic LIC37 for 90 days. Blood samples were collected on days 76, 83, and 90, respectively. The jejunal epithelial tissue was obtained from four randomly selected calves per group at day 90 for transcriptome analysis. The results showed that postbiotic LIC37 supplementation reduced globulin, total protein, neutrophil (Neu) levels, and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) levels in the DCLI group (p < 0.05). Transcriptomic analysis identified 76 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), with significant upregulation of genes involved in fatty acid metabolism (FABP1), intestinal barrier function (B4GALNT2), and detoxification (GSTA1), alongside downregulation of immune response regulation (FCRLA, FCRL4). Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analyses highlighted enrichment in pathways related to glutathione metabolism, drug metabolism, and vitamin digestion, indicating that postbiotic supplementation improved detoxification, oxidative stress defense, and nutrient absorption in calves. This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying the benefits of postbiotic LIC37 and supports its potential as a sustainable alternative to probiotics in calf nutrition.

This study aimed to explore the effect of anthocyanin-rich black sugarcane on milk production, plasma antioxidant capacity, and the storage period DPPH scavenging capacity of milk in lactating dairy cows. Sixteen lactating dairy cows were stratified and randomly assigned into two balanced dietary groups, namely Anthocyanin-rich black sugarcane (AS), and Napier grass (NG). The AS group demonstrated a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in roughage intake, total dry matter intake, and nutrient intake. Blood glucose concentration was significantly greater in the AS group compared to the NG group. Additionally, the AS group had a significantly higher superoxide dismutase inhibition rate and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging capacity in plasma compared to the NG group. Furthermore, the DPPH scavenging capacity in the AS group was significantly elevated (p < 0.05) after 3 d of storage period. The NG group showed a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in DPPH scavenging capacity as the storage time extended. The incorporation of AS in the diet of lactating dairy cows is posited to enhance antioxidant performance, evidenced by an elevation in plasma antioxidant capacity. Additionally, AS may bestow the added benefit of preserving milk quality by augmenting the milk intrinsic DPPH scavenging capacity during storage period.

The series of experiments had two objectives. First, to study fatty acids (FA) composition of Thai-Native cattle beef (NB), European crossbred cattle beef (EB), and Brahman crossbred cattle beef (BC) survey was conducted in local fresh markets in Northeast Thailand. Second, to investigate the effects of different quality roughage on productivity, meat quality, and FA profiles in beef cattle. Experiment 1 was conducted as a completely randomized design by collecting 96 beef samples: NB averaging 2 years old, 200–250 kg body weight (BW); BC, averaging 3 years old, 450 kg BW, and EB, averaging 3 years old, 550-650 kg BW. Experiment 2 grouped 20 Brahman x Native crossbred with 10 cattles in each of two groups using a Independent t-test. The 1st group received high level concentrate with rice straw (HCRS), and the 2nd group received low level concentrate with fresh grass (LCFG). Polyunsaturated FAs were higher in NB than in EB, whereas NB had lower n-6/n-3 FA proportions than BC and EB, respectively (P < 0.05). Cattle fed with HCRS or LCFG demonstrated no marked variations for performance or meat quality. Cattle fed on LCFG demonstrated increased n-3 FA contents in semimembranosus (SM), with decreased n-6/n-3 FA ratio for longissimus lumborum (LL) and SM. These results suggest that altering source of roughage to high-quality roughage by increasing the amount of n-3 in cattle diets results in increasing the amount of n-3 FA and decreasing the n-6/n-3 FA ratio in beef.