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Effects of dietary inclusion of babassu by-products on ruminal metabolism of sheep and on the chemical composition of milk and meat produced by cattle: a brief overview in the brazilian context
Contextualization: Currently, there has been a constant demand for feedstuffs that can replace those traditionally used (soybean and corn) in the market in the nutrition of farm animals. Thus, several studies have been conducted, exploring alternative feedstuffs. One of those is the fruit of the babassu palm, which generates several by-products with potential use in ruminant feeding. Knowledge gap: There is a need for greater knowledge on the composition and biological effects of by-products derived from the babassu fruit on ruminant nutrition. Purpose: The present study aimed to review the literature to present findings related to the effects of the inclusion of by-products from the babassu fruit on ruminal parameters and ingestive behavior of sheep, as well as the quality of milk and meat of cattle. Methodology: A literature review was carried out, summarizing the main references in relation to the effects of the inclusion of by-products from the babassu fruit on the nutrition and product quality of sheep and cattle. Results and conclusions: The review revealed that babassu by-products have nutritional characteristics compatible with feedstuffs conventionally used in ruminant nutrition. The most abundant babassu by-product in the studies was FMB (babassu mesocarp bran), which is rich in starch and widely used in sheep and cattle nutrition. The present review also revealed that the inclusion of babassu by-products should be done with caution in ruminant diets, but these can confer desirable characteristics to beef and milk of cattle.