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Effects of vegetable oil supplementation on rumen fermentation and microbial population in ruminant: a review

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Abstract

Understanding the nature of ruminant nutrition and digestion is essential to improve feeding management and animal production. Among many approaches, manipulating ruminant nutrition and fermentation through feed supplementation is being practised and researched. Over the last decade, the utilization of vegetable oils in feed formulation and their effects on various aspects of ruminants have been reported by many researchers. It is important to understand the lipid metabolism in ruminants by microorganisms because it affects the quality of ruminant-derived products such as meat and milk. Majority of vegetable oil supplementation could reduce rumen protozoa population in ruminants due to the effects of medium-chain fatty acids (FAs). However, vegetable oil also contains unsaturated FAs that are known to have a negative effect on cellulolytic bacteria which could show inhibitory effects of the fibre digestion. In this paper, the physiology of nutrient digestion of ruminants is described. This paper also provides a current review of studies done on improvement and modification of rumen fermentation and microbial population through vegetable oil supplementation.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the Director-General of Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) for permission to publish this article.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Product Development and Technical Advisory Services Division, Persiaran Institusi, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, No. 6, 43000, Bandar Baru Bangi, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia

    Ibrahim Nur Atikah, Wan Mohamed Wan Nooraida, Md Noh Abidah, Fuat Muhammad Amirul & Saminathan Mookiah

  2. Gadjah Mada University Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogjakarta, Indonesia

    Abdul Razak Alimon

  3. Animal Science Department, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia, Selangor, Malaysia

    Halimatun Yaakub & Anjas Asmara Samsudin

  4. Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Sabah, Malaysia

    Su Chui Len Candyrine

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  1. Ibrahim Nur Atikah
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Contributions

Drafting the manuscript: NAI. Contribution to the concept or design of the manuscript: NAI, SCLC, SM. Interpreting the relevant literature: NAI, SCLC, WNWM, AMN, MAF, SM. Critical revision for important intellectual content of the manuscript: NAI, ARA, HY, AAS, SCLC, WNWM, AMN, MAF, SM. Final editing and improving of the version to be published: NAI, ARA, HY, AAS, SCLC, WNWM, AMN, MAF, SM. All authors have read and approved the final manuscript.

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Ibrahim, N.A., Alimon, A.R., Yaakub, H. et al. Effects of vegetable oil supplementation on rumen fermentation and microbial population in ruminant: a review. Trop Anim Health Prod 53, 422 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-021-02863-4

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