Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives

Introduction: The present study aimed to understand the shift in the rumen microbiome of buffaloes fed diets with and without phyto-additives. The rationale was based on the hypothesis that plant-based additives can modulate the microbial population in the rumen, potentially reducing methane product...

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Main Authors: Soni, P.K., Kala, A., Agarwal, P., Deka, Ram Pratim, Rahman, Habibur, Kennady, Vijayalakshmy, Chaudhary, L.C.
Format: Journal Article
Language:Inglés
Published: Frontiers Media 2025
Subjects:
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177675
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author Soni, P.K.
Kala, A.
Agarwal, P.
Deka, Ram Pratim
Rahman, Habibur
Kennady, Vijayalakshmy
Chaudhary, L.C.
author_browse Agarwal, P.
Chaudhary, L.C.
Deka, Ram Pratim
Kala, A.
Kennady, Vijayalakshmy
Rahman, Habibur
Soni, P.K.
author_facet Soni, P.K.
Kala, A.
Agarwal, P.
Deka, Ram Pratim
Rahman, Habibur
Kennady, Vijayalakshmy
Chaudhary, L.C.
author_sort Soni, P.K.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description Introduction: The present study aimed to understand the shift in the rumen microbiome of buffaloes fed diets with and without phyto-additives. The rationale was based on the hypothesis that plant-based additives can modulate the microbial population in the rumen, potentially reducing methane production and enhancing fiber degradation. Given the possibility that prolonged use of the same additives may lead to microbial adaptation and diminished efficacy, the study also investigated the effects of periodically switching additives. Methods: Three male buffalo calves were fed a control diet, while another three received additive-supplemented diets. Two additive formulations were used: FAI (a blend of garlic <i>Allium sativum</i>, ajwain <i>Trachyspermum ammi</i>, harad <i>Terminalia chebula</i>, and soapnut <i>Sapindus mukorossi</i>) and FAII (ajwain oil). The additives were alternated every 15 days to prevent microbial adaptation. After 21 days of feeding, rumen liquor samples were collected 2 hours post-feeding for metagenomic analysis. The study included both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> assessments of rumen fermentation. Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed that dominant bacterial phyla included <i>Prevotella</i>, <i>Bacteroides</i>, <i>Succiniclasticum</i>, <i>Fibrobacter</i>, <i>Clostridium</i>, <i>Alistipes</i>, <i>Ruminococcus</i>, and <i>Butyrivibrio</i>, with over 50 bacterial species consistently present across all animals. The main archaeal phylum was <i>Euryarchaeota</i> (>85%), along with notable presence of <i>Candidatus_Bathyarchaeota</i> and <i>Thaumarchaeota</i>. At the genus level, <i>Methanomicrobium</i> and <i>Methanobrevibacter</i> each accounted for approximately 30% of the archaeal community, followed by <i>Methanosphaera</i>, <i>Methanosarcina</i>, and <i>Methanomassiliicoccus</i>. While total abundances of <i>Archaea</i> and <i>Bacteroidota</i> were not significantly different among groups, specific taxa within these phyla showed marked changes. Discussion: The inclusion of phyto-additives in the buffalo diet influenced the rumen microbiome composition by reducing methanogen populations, particularly <i>Methanobrevibacter</i>, and enhancing fiber-degrading microbial communities. These microbial shifts were associated with improved fiber utilization and decreased methane emissions. Rotating the additives every 15 days appeared to sustain their efficacy over time, potentially by preventing microbial adaptation. This approach may offer a sustainable strategy to optimize rumen function and reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants.
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spelling CGSpace1776752025-12-08T10:06:44Z Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives Soni, P.K. Kala, A. Agarwal, P. Deka, Ram Pratim Rahman, Habibur Kennady, Vijayalakshmy Chaudhary, L.C. animal feeding domestic buffaloes feed additives Introduction: The present study aimed to understand the shift in the rumen microbiome of buffaloes fed diets with and without phyto-additives. The rationale was based on the hypothesis that plant-based additives can modulate the microbial population in the rumen, potentially reducing methane production and enhancing fiber degradation. Given the possibility that prolonged use of the same additives may lead to microbial adaptation and diminished efficacy, the study also investigated the effects of periodically switching additives. Methods: Three male buffalo calves were fed a control diet, while another three received additive-supplemented diets. Two additive formulations were used: FAI (a blend of garlic <i>Allium sativum</i>, ajwain <i>Trachyspermum ammi</i>, harad <i>Terminalia chebula</i>, and soapnut <i>Sapindus mukorossi</i>) and FAII (ajwain oil). The additives were alternated every 15 days to prevent microbial adaptation. After 21 days of feeding, rumen liquor samples were collected 2 hours post-feeding for metagenomic analysis. The study included both <i>in vivo</i> and <i>in vitro</i> assessments of rumen fermentation. Results: Metagenomic analysis revealed that dominant bacterial phyla included <i>Prevotella</i>, <i>Bacteroides</i>, <i>Succiniclasticum</i>, <i>Fibrobacter</i>, <i>Clostridium</i>, <i>Alistipes</i>, <i>Ruminococcus</i>, and <i>Butyrivibrio</i>, with over 50 bacterial species consistently present across all animals. The main archaeal phylum was <i>Euryarchaeota</i> (>85%), along with notable presence of <i>Candidatus_Bathyarchaeota</i> and <i>Thaumarchaeota</i>. At the genus level, <i>Methanomicrobium</i> and <i>Methanobrevibacter</i> each accounted for approximately 30% of the archaeal community, followed by <i>Methanosphaera</i>, <i>Methanosarcina</i>, and <i>Methanomassiliicoccus</i>. While total abundances of <i>Archaea</i> and <i>Bacteroidota</i> were not significantly different among groups, specific taxa within these phyla showed marked changes. Discussion: The inclusion of phyto-additives in the buffalo diet influenced the rumen microbiome composition by reducing methanogen populations, particularly <i>Methanobrevibacter</i>, and enhancing fiber-degrading microbial communities. These microbial shifts were associated with improved fiber utilization and decreased methane emissions. Rotating the additives every 15 days appeared to sustain their efficacy over time, potentially by preventing microbial adaptation. This approach may offer a sustainable strategy to optimize rumen function and reduce enteric methane emissions in ruminants. 2025-11-05 2025-11-07T11:02:32Z 2025-11-07T11:02:32Z Journal Article https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177675 en Open Access Frontiers Media Soni, P.K., Kala, A., Agarwal, P., Deka, R.P., Rahman, H., Vijayalakshmy, K. and Chaudhary, L.C. 2025. Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives. Frontiers in Veterinary Science 12: 1647762.
spellingShingle animal feeding
domestic buffaloes
feed additives
Soni, P.K.
Kala, A.
Agarwal, P.
Deka, Ram Pratim
Rahman, Habibur
Kennady, Vijayalakshmy
Chaudhary, L.C.
Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title_full Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title_fullStr Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title_full_unstemmed Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title_short Taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long-term strategic supplementation of phyto-feed additives
title_sort taxonomic and functional shifts in the rumen microbiome of buffalo calves under long term strategic supplementation of phyto feed additives
topic animal feeding
domestic buffaloes
feed additives
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/177675
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