Opportunities Offered by Plant Bioactive Compounds to Improve Silage Quality, Animal Health and Product Quality for Sustainable Ruminant Production: A Review

Plant bioactive compounds (PBC) are widespread in the plant kingdom, including forage species, but their impact on silage fermentation and ruminant use of PBC-containing has been under-researched. The beneficial effects PBC include plant-protein protection against excessive degradation by tannins or polyphenol oxidase leading to reduced soluble nitrogen (N) better N efficiency animals, emissions pollutants such as enteric methane (CH4), improved animal health through antimicrobial, anthelmintic antioxidant activities, positive product quality—especially greater increased polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) content. However, there still gaps research that require an interdisciplinary effort ensure a balanced approach co-addresses economic, environmental pillars sustainability. Here we review potential offered improve quality, nutrient efficiency, performances ruminants, quality. In addition, example cross-fertilization between disciplines show incorporating legume species grass can provide multiple additive from