Asma ITAIMI, Foued HASNAOUI, Kaouther GUERCHI, Oumayma ABIDI and Houcine SELMI*

Laboratoire des Ressources Sylvo-Pastorales, Institut Sylvo-Pastoral, Université de Jendouba- Tunisie

*Corresponding Author: Houcine SELMI, Laboratoire des Ressources Sylvo-Pastorales, Université de Jendouba, Institut Sylvo-Pastoral de Tabarka, Tunisie.

Received: April 23, 2025; Published: April 26, 2025

Abstract

Objectives: This study primarily aimed to map the studied shrubs and examine the chemical composition and total phenolic content of several shrubs (Erica arborea, Myrtus communis, Arbutus unedo, Phillyrea latifolia, and Smilax aspera).

Methodology: In vitro methods were used to determine dry matter, mineral matter, organic matter, and total carbonate. Chemical composition, total phenolic content, flavonoid content, condensed tannin content, total lipid content, and antioxidant activity were determined. Gas production and ruminal parameters were determined In vitro in the presence of sheep and goat rumen juice.

Result: Myrtus communis is distinguished by its excellent antioxidant potential (IC50 = 12.5μg/mL) against the DPPH radical, but its performance remains inferior compared to that of ascorbic acid (IC50 = 28.5 μg/mL), used as a model of antioxidants. Significantly, Arbutus unedo showed a significant impact on secondary metabolites and the highest gas production value.

Conclusion: It can be concluded that the type of shrub and the animal species had a significant impact on all these parameters.

Keywords: Shrubs; Goats; Sheep; Chemical Composition; Secondary Metabolites; Gas Production

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Citation

Citation: Houcine SELMI., et al. “Nutritional Evaluation of Some Forest Shrubs and Use by Sheep and Goats: Effect on Ruminal Fermentation Parameters and In vitro Digestibility". Acta Scientific Agriculture 9.5 (2025): 49-55.

Copyright

Copyright: © 2025 Houcine SELMI., et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.