In vitro analysis of the addition of Ctx(Ile21)-Ha antimicrobial peptide analogues on rumen fermentation parameters using RUSITEC technique

• Grant number: 25/11732-0
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: July 30, 2025
• End date: October 31, 2025
• Field of knowledge: Agronomical Sciences - Animal Husbandry - Animal Nutrition and Feeding
• Principal Investigator: Eduardo Festozo Vicente
• Grantee: Acsa Thalita Ferreira Pimenta dos Santos
• Supervisor: Gabriel de Oliveira Ribeiro Junior
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências e Engenharia. Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Tupã. Tupã , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: University of Saskatchewan (USASK), Canada
• Associated to the scholarship: 24/20054-2 - In vitro analysis of the addition of antimicrobial peptide analogues Ctx(Ile21)-Ha on rumen fermentation parameters, BP.IC

Abstract

Beef consumption has increased significantly over the last 50 years. This demand has been driven mainly by the huge increase in the world's population over the same period. Although beef production has already advanced in productivity, there is a growing need to intensify the production system with greater efficiency and sustainability. In this scenario, improving feed efficiency is very relevant and crucial to reach this objective. Bacteria are the most abundant and diverse microorganisms in the rumen, which account for around 95% of total rumen microbiota. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies and technologies that sustainably increase productivity without compromising animal health. In this way, the use of in vitro experiments has emerged as a viable alternative to simulate and reduce in vivo tests, prioritizing animal welfare. In parallel, antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) have emerged as a promising tool for manipulating the rumen microbial population and improving feed efficiency, contributing to a sustainable increase in beef production. Therefore, this proposal aims to use the Rumen Simulation Technique (RUSITEC) system, a rumen in vitro semi-continuous culture system, to simulate the rumen environment and improve the our understanding about AMP activities in an complex microbial environment, specifically the Ctx(Ile21)-Ha antimicrobial peptide, under more precise conditions, to better understand its mechanism of action and the effects on microbial activities and ruminal fermentation parameters. (AU)