Nutraceutical Potential of the Low Deciduous Forest to Improve Small Ruminant Nutrition and Health: A Systematic Review

Nutraceuticals are defined as livestock feeds that combine their nutritional value with beneficial effects on animal health. We analyzed the outcomes from nearly 20 years of research assessing nutraceutical properties plants consumed by sheep and goats in low deciduous forests. A systematic review different databases suggested 31 peer-reviewed manuscripts according to pre-established criteria. Amongst these, 16 described vitro evaluations investigating bioactivity plant secondary compounds extracts 12 species. Most these studies used abomasal nematode Haemonchus contortus parasite model. Meanwhile, 11 reported vivo trials under controlled pen conditions, evaluating relationships between intake leaves species nutrition, performance, gastrointestinal infections. Additionally, four natural feeding conditions. Altogether, showed inherent complexity relationship small ruminants, plants, nutrients, compounds, nematodes systems. Several can be considered good candidates for use. Our findings warrant future work understand parasites, aim improve sustainability production systems based native vegetation tropical