A Systematic Review Of Plant-Based Feed Additives: Their Role In Reducing Methane Emissions And Improving Nutrient Efficiency In Ruminants

Abstract

The livestock industry is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from ruminants due to enteric fermentation. The study aimed to conduct a systematic review on the effectiveness of plant-based feed additives in minimising methane emissions and improving nutrient utilisation in ruminants. The 12 articles from 2020-2024 focusing on using plant-based additives were reviewed using a narrative synthesis approach. Plant feed additives were found to be very effective in reducing methane gas production, as the research found. Plant feed additives also optimise the fermentation of the rumen, which is the gut of ruminants. Some chemicals have already been shown to reduce methane formation by up to 50%. However, diet and species of animals also varied in terms of results concerning studies. Future studies should focus on measuring the practicability and scalability of these additions in various farming systems in terms of their human and economic feasibility, such as performance. The study also points out that the use of essential oils has proved to be very effective in abating the emission of methane and variably effective.