Abstract

Ruminant livestock production in semi-arid regions faces persistent challenges, including seasonal feed shortages, variable nutrient quality, and environmental issues such as methane emissions. These constraints impact animal productivity, health, and sustainability. Tannins, a group of plant-derived polyphenols, have garnered attention for their potential to improve protein utilization and reduce enteric methane emissions. However, at high concentrations, tannins exert anti-nutritional effects—reducing feed intake, nutrient digestibility, and altering rumen microbial balance—thus limiting their practical utility in ruminant diets. Recent advancements in nanotechnology offer an innovative strategy to address these limitations through the formulation of tannin nanoparticles. These smart delivery systems have the potential to enhance the bioavailability, stability, and targeted release of tannins in the gastrointestinal tract, enabling controlled interactions with rumen microbes and dietary macromolecules basedon principles demonstrated in other biological systems. This review explores the current state of knowledge regarding the dualistic role of tannins, the principles and safety of nanotechnology in animal feed, and the comparative impacts of conventional tannins and nano-tannin applications on rumen fermentation, methane mitigation, nutrient metabolism, and animal performance. While tannin nanoparticles show promise in improving ruminant nutrition and environmental sustainability, several research gaps remain. These include the need for standardized nanoparticle formulations, comprehensive long-term safety evaluations, and clear regulatory frameworks for their use in livestock systems. Addressing these challenges is crucial for enabling the responsible and effective integration of nanotechnology into future ruminant feeding strategies, particularly in resource-limited and climate-vulnerable regions. Most evidence on nano-tannin applications in ruminants remains theoretical or from in vitro studies, highlighting the need for comprehensive in vivo validation.

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