Utilization of Saponins, a Plant Secondary Metabolite in Enteric Methane Mitigation and Rumen Modulation

Methane (CH4) emission originated from the livestock is a major concern globally as it is a potent greenhouse gas and also accounts for 3-10% loss of ingested feed energy for productive purposes. Interventions for CH4 mitigation based on plant secondary metabolites (PSM) have been considered as safe, economical and effective strategies. Saponins, a multifunctional PSM, exhibited immense medicinal importance in traditional medicine system as well as in experimental biological systems. Last few decades witnessed a steady increase in interest towards application of saponins as rumen fermentation modulating agent as well a promising methane inhibitor. Saponins containing plants and their purified saponins have shown encouraging results in in vitro and in vivo experimental conditions. However, further studies are warranted to evaluate their toxicity profile, metabolism and mechanism of action at molecular level. This review focuses on the current status of role of saponins in ruminant nutrition.