Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe), a natural additive with antimethanogenic properties in ruminants.

Resumen

Objective: To describe ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) properties and its potential to reduce ruminal methane production.

Design/methodology/approach: A literature search and review of scientific articles published over the past 20 years was conducted, focusing on the use of ginger as an antimicrobial agent in animals of zootechnical interest, as well as its application as an antimethanogenic additive in ruminants.

Results: The metabolite profile of ginger is described, along with the effects of ethanolic, methanolic, and/or aqueous extracts, essential oils, and ginger meal in in vitro assays evaluating antimicrobial and antimethanogenic activity in cattle, sheep, and goats. Additionally, the scope and potential areas of opportunity for its field application are discussed.

Limitations on study/implications: No in vivo studies have been conducted on the use of ginger as an antimethanogenic additive in ruminants.

Findings/conclusions: Ginger rhizome meal has been shown to reduce methane production in vitro, suggesting its potential as an antimethanogenic additive. However, in vivo studies are needed to confirm this effect, identify the active compounds responsible, and clarify their mechanism of action in the rumen.