Sustainable agent of compost-derived bacteria for enhanced biological hydrolysis and saccharification of Napier grass.

Background: Improving the nutritional quality and productivity of guinea pigs is a priority in Peruvian livestock production, driving the search for sustainable feeding strategies. However, there is little evidence on the use of tropical grasses and their impact on performance and carcass composition in Kuri guinea pigs. Aim: To evaluate the effect of three forage species on productive performance and carcass nutritional value in Kuri guinea pigs. Methods: Forty-five weaned female guinea pigs, 15 days old, were randomly distributed into three treatments (15 animals per group): T1 = corn fodder (Zea mays), T2 = Cuba 22 (Pennisetum spp.), and T3 = kurumi (Pennisetum purpureum). The forages were cultivated in the same experimental unit and chemically analyzed before the trial. The animals were housed individually and received the assigned forage plus a balanced concentrate. Feed intake, weight gain, and feed conversion ratio were recorded at 30, 45, 60, 75, and 90 days of age. At the end of the trial, carcasses were analyzed for dry matter, moisture, protein, and fat content. Results: Guinea pigs fed with corn fodder showed higher weight gain (p < 0.05) compared with the other treatments. However, there were no significant differences in total feed intake or feed conversion ratio among the experimental groups. Regarding carcass composition, guinea pigs fed with kurumi grass showed significant differences (p < 0.05), with higher protein content and lower fat and moisture percentages compared with those fed corn fodder and Cuba 22. Conclusion: The corn fodder–based diet improved weight gain in Kuri guinea pigs; however, those fed with kurumi grass exhibited better carcass nutritional quality.

Evaluation of Fat Characteristics of Water Buffalo Fattened on Napier Grass and Concentrate Feed in Comparison with Cattle in the Philippines

Comparative physicochemical characterization of cellulose extracted from Napier grass, bamboo, oil palm fronds, and empty fruit bunches

To support the 2060 Net Zero Emission (NZE) target under the Paris Agreement, increasing the proportion of bioethanol blends to 20-30% has become a national priority. However, limited sugarcane-derived bioethanol production in Indonesia highlights the urgent need for alternative biomass sources. Pennisetum purpureum cv. Thailand (Pakchong grass) presents a promising candidate due to its high biomass yield, low lignin content, and adaptability. This study aims to optimize the bioethanol production process from Pakchong grass through pretreatment, enzymatic saccharification, and fermentation, utilizing a modified simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) scheme. Pretreatment optimization using NaOH (1-5%) revealed that 5% NaOH for 15 minutes effectively removed up to 70% lignin and 78% hemicellulose while retaining 66% cellulose. Enzymatic saccharification using 10 g/L cellulase for 5 days yielded 76.18% glucose conversion without requiring costly additives. Bioethanol fermentation was conducted using six fermentation schemes involving simultaneous (SSF), fed-batch (FSSF), and pre-saccharification strategies (PSFF). Among them, the two-feed FSSF (SE2) produced the highest ethanol yield (32 g/L, 95.41% efficiency), outperforming both conventional SSF (SE1) and PSFF variants. The findings emphasize the importance of synchronizing enzymatic hydrolysis with yeast metabolic activity. This work demonstrates the feasibility of integrated pretreatment and fermentation strategies for bioethanol production from Pakchong grass, offering insights for scalable and cost-effective renewable fuel development in tropical regions.

Purple Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum ‘Prince’) exhibits purple leaves due to anthocyanins, a class of flavonoids. These compounds possess properties that benefit rumen microorganisms; they have antioxidant properties, thereby enhancing goats’ health. In this study, 24 Anglo-Nubian crossbred male goats with an initial body weight of 18.50 ± 2.06 kg were used. The experimental design followed a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement in a completely randomised design (CRD). The first factor was grass species (Napier Pakchong-1 [NP-1] and purple Napier [PN]), and the second factor was forage conditions (fresh and silage). Goats fed fresh PN demonstrated the highest (p < .05) final body weight, weight change, average daily gain (ADG), roughage dry matter intake, total dry matter intake, crude protein intake, anthocyanin intake, organic matter (OM) digestibility, crude protein (CP) digestibility and nitrogen utilisation. Post-feeding, the concentrations of ruminal NH3–N, propionate (C3), total volatile fatty acids (VFA) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) were significantly higher (p < .05) in goats fed fresh PN, while the acetate-to-propionate (C2/C3) ratio was significantly lower (p < .05) in this group. The abundance of Butyrivibrio fibrisolvens was highest (p < .05) in the rumen of goats fed fresh PN, while methanogenic archaea and protozoa populations were significantly lower (p < .05). Based on the findings of this study, it is concluded that feeding fresh PN improves growth performance, rumen fermentation and microbial population dynamics in the rumen of goats.

Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott contains secondary metabolites such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids, which are suspected to have antibacterial potential. This study was aim to test the antibacterial activity of P. purpureum ethanol extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using disc diffusion and dilution methods. To obtain a valid data, this study employed both qualitative and quantitative methods. The sample used was a thick extract of P. purpureum extracted using maceration and Microwave-Assisted Extraction (MAE) methods. The obtained Inhibitory Zone Width data were analyzed using One-Way ANOVA and Duncan's follow-up test. The results of the qualitative phytochemical test showed that the P. purpureum extract with the maceration and MAE extraction methods positively contained secondary metabolite compounds such as flavonoids, tannins, saponins, and alkaloids. The antibacterial test showed that the extract with the MAE method at a concentration of 40 % provided the highest inhibition zone width against S. aureus (15.36 mm) and E. coli (16.68 mm), both of which were in the strong category. As conclusion, the MAE extraction method is the most effective method in producing P. purpureum extract that has active compounds as antibacterials.

This study aimed to compare the effects of three different roughage sources—Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala), Pakchong 1 Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum × Pennisetum americanum), and Pangola grass (Digitaria eriantha) in combination with concentrate supplementation on production performance, carcass quality, and fatty acid composition in meat goat. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) involving nine male goats (50% Thai Native × Boer crossbred), approximately four months old, with an average initial body weight of 17.94 ± 1.5 kg. The animals were randomly allocated into three treatment groups (n = 3 per group), each receiving one type of freshly cut roughage ad libitum (Leucaena, Pakchong 1 Napier grass or Pangola grass) and supplemented with a 14% crude protein concentrate at 1.5% of body weight. The results indicated that goats fed Leucaena leucocephala combined with concentrate exhibited the highest dry matter digestibility, body weight gain, and omega-3 fatty acid accumulation, indicating that Leucaena is the most effective roughage source under the present experimental conditions. Nevertheless, both Pakchong 1 Napier grass and Pangola grass proved to be suitable and sufficient alternatives for goat feeding, particularly in areas where these grasses are readily available. Additionally, these forages contributed to the accumulation of omega-6 (C18:2) fatty acids, which are known to help maintain normal cell function, support immune responses, and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease when consumed in balanced proportions.

One of the superior varieties developed by the Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Development Center (BBPSI Biogen) is the Biograss Agrinak elephant grass. This grass was released as a superior forage crop variety in 2021 and has an impressive yield potential of 319 tons/hectare/year. This study aims to analyze the effect of liquid organic fertilizer application on the growth and productivity of Biograss elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. biograss) as livestock feed. The research method used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a non-factorial arrangement consisting of 4 treatments and 5 replications. The parameters observed in this study included leaf width, leaf length, plant height, and fresh yield of odot grass. The results showed that treatment P3 resulted in the highest increases in leaf width (3.44 cm), leaf length (62.10 cm), plant height (90.19 cm), and fresh yield of odot grass (687.5 grams), with significant differences compared to other treatments. Application of liquid organic fertilizer at a dose of 15 ml per 1 liter of water gave the best results and has the potential to be applied on a larger scale.

The aim of this community service is to improve the knowledge and skills of farmers in Morome Village, South Konawe Regency, regarding the introduction of high-quality forage types and silage production techniques. The method used involved socialization and training with a practical approach on silage production from local forages and agricultural waste. The results showed that farmers successfully identified more nutritious forages, such as elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum) and legumes, and were able to process these materials into silage that can be stored for an extended period. However, some challenges, such as limited facilities and a lack of understanding in managing silage quality, were still faced by some farmers. Nevertheless, the overall activity had a positive impact on improving livestock feed security and farm productivity. In conclusion, silage production training can be an effective solution to overcome the feed shortage during the dry season.

The community service program aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of farmer-livestock groups in managing livestock feed. Its main objective is to improve the capacity of farmers in forage production to ensure a consistent supply of livestock feed, particularly during the dry season. The training focused on the selection, cultivation, and maintenance of forage species such as Pennisetum purpureum (elephant grass). Post-training evaluations showed a significant improvement in participants' knowledge and skills, particularly in understanding forage planting techniques. Additionally, the program successfully increased the availability of livestock feed, reduced dependence on external feed sources, and stabilized livestock productivity. The results of this community service align with the theory of empowerment through skill-based agricultural training and sustainable farming practices, as well as findings from previous studies on the impact of forage planting on livestock production. This program concludes. This program concludes that training and technical assistance for farmers are essential in ensuring food security and improving economic independence.

Forage choices and dairy productivity: evaluating the cost-benefit of Brachiaria grass (Urochloa spp) over Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) in Tanzania.

Phytoremediation is a green and cost-effective strategy used to clean up metal pollutants from contaminated soils. Recently, non-crop species have gained attention for their ability to adapt to and thrive in contaminated environments, making them promising candidates for phytoextraction. However, their effectiveness in accumulating lithium (Li) is not well understood. This study explored the potential of sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) and napier grass (Cenchrus purpureus Schumach.) for phytoextraction of lithium a challenging and emerging soil contaminant under controlled greenhouse conditions. Inductively coupled plasma‒mass spectrometry (ICP‒MS) was used to measure uptake of lithium and compartmentalized in plant tissues at different contamination levels. Both sunn hemp and napier grass showed notable capacities for lithium uptake, demonstrating their potential for lithium phytoextraction. The accumulation pattern revealed significantly higher lithium concentrations in roots than in shoots, indicating limited translocation within these plant species. The highest lithium accumulation was recorded in the 1500 µM treatment group in the roots, reaching 7.37 mg/g DW (p < 0.001) in sunn hemp and 4.69 mg/g DW (p < 0.001) in napier grass. Lithium treatment led to alterations in growth (length and weight of shoots and roots and root architecture), photosynthetic efficiency, gas exchange, and various biochemical traits (total protein and proline contents). Biochemical analysis, including measurements of antioxidant enzyme activities, provided insight into how these plants mitigate lithium-induced oxidative stress. Markedly increased proline levels were detected in both species under lithium stress, suggesting an adaptive, protective mechanism against oxidative damage. The highest proline concentration was recorded in sunn hemp at 1000 µM Li (0.24 mg/g FW) (p < 0.01). In this study napier grass exhibited better phytoremediation potential compared to sunn hemp. This comprehensive study highlights the potential of integrating weeds into phytoextraction strategies for the remediation of lithium-contaminated soils. These findings enhance our understanding by use of weeds as effective agents for phytoextraction and sustainable soil remediation techniques and provide crucial insights for the development of weed-based phytoremediation approaches.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1038/s41598-025-32169-6.

Smallholder goat production in remote regions of eastern Indonesia still relies mainly on traditional feeding practices that may limit animal performance. This study aimed to describe feed management and forage utilization by smallholder goat farmers in Oransbari District, South Manokwari Regency, West Papua, Indonesia. A descriptive case-study design was applied with 28 purposively selected farmers. Primary data were collected through field observations of available forage, semi-structured interviews on feeding practices, daily weighing of fresh forage offered by growth class, and laboratory analysis of representative forage samples for crude protein, crude fiber, and minerals. Most farmers were of productive age but had low to medium levels of formal education, and feeding decisions were driven mainly by experience and seasonal forage availability rather than by explicit nutritional planning. Adult goats typically received 2–4% of live weight as fresh forage per day, while kids and growers received approximately 1–6%, with rations dominated by Napier grass supplemented with legumes, sweet potato vines, and agricultural by-products. Forage analysis confirmed that the inclusion of legumes substantially increased dietary protein, whereas practices such as wilting and systematic forage conservation were rarely applied. These findings highlight the need for targeted training on nutrition-based rationing, forage conservation, and strategic use of crop residues to improve feed efficiency, animal health, and the sustainability of smallholder goat systems in Oransbari.

Abstract – Bio-oil production has become the main substitute for fossil-based fuels, but it should be available as a cost-effective method for its production. Extraction of bio-oil from sugarcane leaf and Napier grass is the motive of this project. We are going to achieve this by grinding the leaves and Napier grass freshly into a liquid form with Sugarcane Juicer that is going to be inoculated with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae (Brewer's Yeast). The yeast culture was maintained in YPD (Yeast Peptone Dextrose) agar medium for 72 Hours. Once this Yeast grows, it is coagulated with the Sugarcane leaf and Napier grass extract that separates Bio-ethanol by distillation. Then this Bio-oil can be used in engines. This Bio oil is made because this is cost efficient. It is less pollutive when compared to other gasoline Products. These leaves are mostly thrown out as trash or else it is burnt and the part of the Napier grass is used as cattle food and may also be grown in dry lands with small amount of water. So this could be a method of converting the trash and the Napier grass into one of the valuable resources of fuel for vehicles. Key words: Bio-oil, Ethanol, Sugarcane leaves, Napier grass, Saccharomyces Cerevisiae.

Heavy metal absorption by plants is suggested to be affected by soil treatment with different types of biochar. Due to various types of available biochar materials in the environment, effects of three representative biochar types were evaluated in a greenhouse experiment using polluted soils planted with pigweed (&lt;em&gt;Amaranthus spinosus&lt;/em&gt; L.) and napier grass (&lt;em&gt;Pennisetum purpureum&lt;/em&gt; Schumach). Soil treatments were conducted with biochar of rice (&lt;em&gt;Oryza sativa&lt;/em&gt;)-husk, corn (&lt;em&gt;Zea mays&lt;/em&gt;)-cob and cassava (&lt;em&gt;Manihot utilissima&lt;/em&gt;)-stem at 10 Mg ha&lt;sup&gt;-1&lt;/sup&gt;. Soils and plants were analysed for Cu and Zn after a 4 weeks plant growth. The results showed that Cu and Zn accumulation by pigweed and napier grass were higher in soils polluted with more Cu and Zn. Pigweed in general acted as phytoextractor, accumulated more Cu and Zn in shoots, while napier grass as phyto-stabilizer, accumulated more Cu and Zn in roots. Pigweed accumulated Cu more effective than napier grass while napier grass more effective in Zn accumulation. Unlike rice-husk or corn-cob, cassava-stem biochar increased the soil Cu and Zn concentrations. Rice-husk and corn-cob enhanced but cassava-stem biochar decreased Cu and Zn accumulation by pigweed and napier grass. Rice-husk and corn-cob biochar showed better potential than cassava biochar for soil Cu and Zn phytoremediation by pigweed and napier grass in heavy-metal polluted tropical soils.

Simple SummaryThe search for sustainable animal feed alternatives has encouraged the use of tropical forages and agro-industrial by-products. This study investigated the fermentation process of silages made from Capiaçu elephant grass, a forage widely used in tropical regions, with the addition of different amounts of dehydrated cashew pseudo-fruit, which is a by-product of cashew processing. To do so, mathematical models that can predict how gas is released during fermentation were compared, which reflects how well the feed can be digested by animals. Among the models tested, the Richards model was the most accurate and reliable in describing the fermentation process. It was also found that adding dehydrated cashew pseudo-fruit to the silage improved fermentation, suggesting better feed quality for ruminant animals. These findings are important as they show that a local by-product can be used to improve the nutritional value of forage, contributing to more efficient and sustainable livestock production, reducing waste from the cashew industry, and supporting food security in tropical regions.This study aimed to evaluate and compare the performance of five mathematical models: Gompertz, Ørskov & McDonald, Brody, Richards, and the Dual Pool Logistic model, in describing the in vitro gas production kinetics of Capiaçu elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum Schum ‘BRS Capiaçu’) silages. The effect of including dehydrated cashew pseudo-fruit on the in vitro degradation curves was also assessed. A completely randomized design was adopted, using Capiaçu silages containing 0%, 10%, 20%, or 30% dehydrated cashew pseudo-fruit. Rumen fermentation kinetics were measured through cumulative in vitro gas production. Model performance was evaluated using the Akaike Information Criterion (AIC), coefficient of determination (R2), concordance correlation coefficient (CCC), and mean square prediction error (MSPE). Accuracy (pMSPE) and precision (AIC) were also considered. The Richards model performed best with the lowest AIC (1119.07) and MSPE (0.246) and the highest R2 (0.917) and CCC (0.966). It was over 350 times more likely to provide a correct fit (p < 0.05) compared to the other models. Significant differences (p < 0.05) were observed between degradation curves as a function of the pseudo-fruit inclusion level. Increasing pseudo-fruit inclusion improved silage composition, raising total digestible nutrients (from 54.6% to 67.1%) and reducing neutral detergent fiber (from 58.5% to 42.3%), which directly enhanced fermentation kinetics. These results indicate that the Richards model is the most suitable for describing the fermentation kinetics of Capiaçu elephant grass silages. Moreover, linking model performance to practice, the Richards model provides a reliable tool for determining optimal inclusion levels of dehydrated cashew pseudo-fruit (up to 30%), supporting better silage nutritional quality and more efficient feed utilization in ruminant production systems.

Vascular disease continues to be the primary cause of mortality and disability, often attributed to atherosclerosis. The present pharmacological treatment of atherosclerosis has limited therapeutic effectiveness. Herein, we report the synthesis of supramolecular nanoparticles through host–guest interactions involving β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), polypropylene glycol (PPG), and folic acid (FA) to create FA-PPG-β-CD, which effectively encapsulates bioactive compounds from Pennisetum purpureum extract for the smart control release of foam cells in atherosclerotic plaques. Pennisetum purpureum-loaded nanoparticles can spontaneously self-assemble into nanostructures, exhibiting unique characteristics such as intrinsic green fluorescence and high structural stability. More importantly, nanoparticles embedded with Pennisetum purpureum exhibit well-controlled drug release due to their thermoresponsive properties. Moreover, an in vitro investigation revealed that Pennisetum purpureum-loaded nanoparticles reduced foam cell production due to the elevated temperature associated with inflammatory conditions. Notably, in vivo studies have shown that Pennisetum purpureum-loaded nanoparticles rapidly eliminate excess foam cells from atherogenic lesions in the abdominal aorta. Moreover, in vivo hematology, liver, and kidney function values remained within physiological limits following treatment with Pennisetum purpureum-loaded nanoparticles, indicating excellent biocompatibility and no adverse effects on other organs. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of supramolecular nanoparticles encapsulating bioactive compounds from Pennisetum purpureum extract for targeting foam cells in inflammatory diseases.

Methane produced during enteric fermentation in ruminants is influenced by dietary factors. To lower enteric methane emissions without lowering overall production performance, appropriate diets are needed. Thus, the performance and methane emission of sheep fed Super Napier grass (SN), sodium hydroxide treated rice straw (NaOHRS) and leaves of browse species (Albizia lebbek (AL) and Leucaena leucocephala (LL)) were assessed. Twenty-four lambs (12 ewes, 12 rams) (10.32 ± 0.51 kg average weight) were used. The diets fed for twelve weeks were: SN, SN+NaOHRS, SN+NaOHRS + AL and SN+NaOHRS + LL. Methane was measured using a methane gas detector. Sheep fed SN+NaOHRS + AL, SN+NaOHRS + LL and SN+NaOHRS had higher (p < 0.05) average daily feed intake than those fed SN. Sheep fed SN+NaOHRS + AL and SN+NaOHRS + LL had a higher average daily weight gain (p < 0.05) and feed conversion efficiency than those fed non-browse leaves diets. Nitrogen digestibilities were higher (p < 0.05) in sheep fed SN+NaOHRS + AL and SN+NaOHRS + LL than those without the browse component. Dietary treatments did not significantly (p > 0.05) affect methane emission. It is concluded that diets with LL and AL can enhance sheep performance without reducing methane emission.

This study aims to determine the effect of organic fertilizer bio-selurry processed using Effective Microorganisms 4 (EM4) and MA-11 on the growth of odot grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) intercropped with legume Indigofera zollingeriana. The study was conducted from January to March 2025 in Ampel District, Boyolali Regency. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 5 replications, namely P0 (bio-selurry without addition), P1 (bio-selurry + EM4), P2 (bio-selurry + MA-11), and P3 (bio-selurry + EM4 + MA-11). The parameters observed included the time of first shoot emergence, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf blade length, stem diameter, fresh forage production, and dry matter. The results showed that the treatment of bio-selurry fertilizer had no significant effect (P&gt;0.05) on the first shoot, number of shoots, number of leaves, leaf length, stem diameter, and dry matter. However, there was a significant effect (P&lt;0.05) on the production of fresh greens, with the highest results obtained in treatments P2 and P3. This indicates that the use of bio-selurry fertilizer fermented with EM4 and MA-11 can increase the production of odot grass greens, although it has not significantly affected other growth parameters in the early phase.