Antimicrobial and digestive effects of Yucca schidigera extracts related to production and environment implications of ruminant and nonruminant animals: A review

Authors: ZÚÑIGA-SERRANO, ARACELY - University Of Tamaulipas; BARRIOS-GARCÍA, HUGO - University Of Tamaulipas; Anderson, Robin; Hume, Michael; RUIZ ALBARRÁN, MIGUEL - University Of Tamaulipas; BAUTISTA MARTÍNEZ, YURIDIA - University Of Tamaulipas; SÁNCHEZ-GUERRA, NADIA - University Of Tamaulipas; VÁZQUEZ-VILLANUEVA, JOSÉ - University Of Tamaulipas; INFANTE RODRÍGUEZ, FIDEL - University Of Tamaulipas; SALINAS-CHAVIRA, JAIME - University Of Tamaulipas

Submitted to: Agriculture
Publication Type: Review Article
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/8/2022
Publication Date: 8/11/2022
Citation: Zúñiga-Serrano, A., Barrios-García, H.B., Anderson, R.C., Hume, M.E., Ruiz Albarrán, M., Bautista Martínez, Y., Sánchez-Guerra, N.A., Vázquez-Villanueva, J., Infante Rodríguez, F., Salinas-Chavira, J. 2022. Antimicrobial and digestive effects of Yucca schidigera extracts related to production and environment implications of ruminant and nonruminant animals: A review. Agriculture. 12(8). Article 1198. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12081198.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture12081198

Interpretive Summary: Plant extracts have been used over time in traditional medicine, mainly for their antimicrobial activity and medicinal effects. Plant-derived products contain secondary metabolites that can prevent the growth of disease-causing microbes via mechanisms similar to conventional medicines. These secondary metabolites can also enhance animal health and production in a more "natural" or "organic" manner and may contribute to the reduction in use of pharmaceutical drugs in animal feed, which is of great concern for causing the development of antimicrobial resistant microbes. Among the plant-derived products are those produced from the desert cactus Yucca schidigera, which contains compounds called steroidal saponins. The yucca-produced products have multiple biological effects, including the inhibition of unwanted pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. They can potentially be used to enhance poultry production by enhancing intestinal health and function. In cattle, sheep, and goats; the yucca-produced products work against microbial populations responsible for methane production and have the potential to help mitigate climatic warming caused by this greenhouse gas. The use of the yucca-produced products as a "natural" feed additive may help livestock producers produce safe and wholesome meat and milk at a lower cost while being better for the environment.

Technical Abstract: Plant extracts have been used over time in traditional medicine, mainly for their antimicrobial activity as well as for their medicinal effects. Plant-derived products contain secondary metabolites that prevent pathogenic microbial growth similar to conventional medicines. These secondary metabolites can enhance animal health and production in a more "natural" or "organic" manner and may contribute to the reduction in use of pharmacological drugs in animal feed, which is of great concern for emerging microbial resistance. Plant secondary metabolites can be cost effective, while improving production-efficiency of ruminants, non-ruminants, and aquatic food animals. Among the plant-derived products are the Yucca schidigera extracts (YSE) that contain steroidal saponins as their main active components. The YSE have multiple biological effects, including the inhibition of some pathogenic bacteria, protozoa, and nematodes. The YSE are used to control odor and ammonia emissions and consistently enhance poultry production by enhancing intestinal health and function. In ruminants, the YSE work against protozoa, bacteria, and archaea populations thereby achieving reduction in emissions of polluting gases, mainly methane. The use of YSE as a "natural" feed additive is a promising and growing technology to achieve sustainable animal production while contributing to the mitigation of contaminant gas emissions.