In order to explore the effects of additives on the chemical composition, fermentation characteristics, and bacterial community of Pennisetum giganteum z.x.lin silage, Pennisetum giganteum z.x.lin was ensiled with no additives (CON), cellulase (CE), Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LP), or the combination of cellulase and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum (LPCE) at room temperature for 60 days, respectively. The results indicated that LPCE had the highest dry matter (DM) content. Compared with CON, LP exhibited higher (p < 0.05) levels of water-soluble carbohydrate (WSC), crude protein (CP), and lactic acid (LA), along with a higher (p < 0.05) ratio of LA/acetic acid (AA). Meanwhile, silage inoculated with cellulase (CE and LPCE) showed lower (p < 0.05) contents of acid detergent fiber (ADF) and neutral detergent fiber (NDF) than CON. Furthermore, additive treatments improved the bacterial community composition of silage, and Lactobacillus was abundant in LPCE (LDA score > 4.0). Compared with CE and LP, LPCE more effectively promoted the transformation of microbial functions, resulting in an upregulated (p < 0.05) carbohydrate metabolism and a downregulated (p < 0.05) membrane transport. In conclusion, cellulase or Lactiplantibacillus plantarum improved the silage quality of Pennisetum giganteum z.x.lin by reducing the fiber content or enhancing LA fermentation, and their combination exhibited a powerful ability to establish a bacterial community dominated by Lactobacillus, which facilitated the production of high-quality silage.

Ruminants can use volatile fatty acids from rumen fermentation for energy, but substantial starch may bypass the rumen and enter into the small intestine under a high-grain diet. In theory, intestinal starch digestion is energetically more efficient than ruminal fermentation. However, ruminants have inherent limits in starch hydrolysis and glucose transport. Small intestinal starch digestion relies on pancreatic α-amylase. Several studies have indicated that functional amino acids (Leu or Phe) may enhance amylase secretion or activity to improve starch digestion. In contrast, strategies to increase glucose absorption efficiency in the small intestine have received less attention. Thus, this review focuses on the effects of diet, ontogeny, environment, and intestinal microbiota on intestinal glucose absorption and their potential mechanisms. The T1R2/T1R3 glucose-sensing pathways, transporting pathways, and related hormones within the small intestine were systematically reviewed. The advantages and limitations of major approaches regarding glucose absorption including portal vein intubation, nutrient perfusion, everted intestinal sacs in vitro, Ussing chamber, brush-border membrane vesicle, D-xylose test, organoid, and nanosensing are also discussed. Importantly, we propose potential strategies to improve small intestinal glucose absorption (e.g., artificial sweeteners and glucagon-like peptide 2-related modulation). Overall, this review summarizes promising regulatory targets to enhance small intestinal glucose absorption and improve energy efficiency in ruminants.