Effects of dry tropic shrub plant extracts n animal production: ruminants

Abstract

Plants, as autotrophic organisms, besides performing the primary metabolism experienced in all living beings, have a secondary
metabolism that allows them to produce and accumulate a great variety of chemical compounds. Studies on these secondary metabolites in plants have been increasing over the last fifty years, and these metabolites have been classified based on their chemical characteristics, plant origin or biosynthetic origin; in this classification, they have found terpenes, phenolic compounds, glycosides and alkaloids. Tree plants have a high content of secondary metabolites - those that under certain circumstances can cause various effects in ruminants. Studies with plant extracts such as Leucaena leucocephala, Gliricidia sepium,
Guazuma ulmifolia, Senna spectabilis and Pithecellobium dulce have shown antibacterial, antifungal, antiparasitic activity and their benefit in the manipulation of some metabolic processes and alterations of the ruminal microbiota, allowing to improve fermentation. These studies demonstrate the wide range of natural bioactive molecules that can be used to fight against existing problems in ruminant production systems.