Productive performance, digestion and metabolism in Saanen dairy goats fed with different levels of citral (3,7-dimethyl-2,6-octadienal)

• Grant number: 12/01863-0
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• Duration: November 01, 2012 - April 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal researcher: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Grantee: Francisco Palma Rennó
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina Veterinária e Zootecnia (FMVZ). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• Assoc. researchers: José Esler de Freitas Júnior ; Taissa de Souza Canaes

Abstract

Improve production efficiency by manipulating the ruminal microbiota using alternative additives in animal feed, has been the target of recent research, mainly due to increasing public concern related to microbial resistance to antibiotics and ionophores. As substitute products are herbal compounds such as citral, the main compound of the essential oil of lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus (DC.) Stapf) that has potential antibacterial, antiparasitic, antifungal, and anticancer. Some studies have suggested that citral may cause alterations in rumen microbial population and significant effects on lipid profile of milk. However, research has focused on the use of this compound in the diet of rodents, with no reports of use in the diet of ruminants. The addition of new compounds such as citral in the diet of dairy goat, can be an alternative to improve the energy efficiency of the animal, and hence productivity and performance while adding value to their milk, improving the acceptance and commercialization. In this context, this research aims to evaluate the inclusion of different percentages of citral on rumen microbial fermentation and, digestion and metabolism (phase 1: eight ruminally cannulated goats housed in metabolic cages), and on the biochemical characteristics of blood, physical, chemical and lipid profiles of goat milk (phase 2: 16 non-cannulated goats housed in individual pens). (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

CANAES, TAISSA S.; ZANFERARI, FILIPE; MAGANHE, BRUNA L.; TAKIYA, CAIO S.; SILVA, THIAGO H.; DEL VALLE, TIAGO A.; RENNO, FRANCISCO P. Increasing dietary levels of citral oil on nutrient total tract digestibility, ruminal fermentation, and milk composition in Saanen goats. ANIMAL FEED SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY, v. 229, p. 47-56, JUL 2017. Web of Science Citations: 4.