The potential of bioactive forage legumes for ruminant production in temperate and tropical areas: A One health approach

This title will be presented on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 13.00-13.15 GMT+7.

Abstract

This title will be presented on Friday, December 15, 2023 at 13.00-13.15 GMT+7.

Nutritional strategies are the most evident and natural methods to integrate ruminant production systems in the One health approach, aiming at the simultaneous protection of the health of humans, animals and the environment. Among these strategies, the use of forage legumes containing some bioactive compounds (mainly phenols, terpenes and alkaloids) is particularly promising as they have shown potential benefits in multiple dimensions throughout the ruminant production chain. In addition to be protein-rich resources, they have been shown to decrease N fertilization, reduce methane emissions and urinary N excretion, have anthelmintic and antioxidant activities improving health status of animals, and can improve product quality through their fatty acid profile and oxidative stability. Bioactive legumes are present both in temperate and tropical areas, but their use could be different as the compounds of interest could be of different nature and in different concentrations. Interdisciplinary and transnational research projects could provide a considerable opportunity to share knowledge in this field and to propose global innovative solutions for ruminant nutrition in the future.