Cumin (Cuminum cyminum): As a Feed Additive for Livestock

Abstract

Cumin is an annual herb and has been used since ancient times as medicine and spices in food. Supplementation of cumin could either influence the feeding pattern or growth of favorable microorganisms in the rumen or stimulate the secretion of various digestive enzymes, which in turn may improve the efficiency of nutrients utilization or stimulate the milk secretary tissues in mammary glands resulting in improved milk production and reproductive performance of dairy animals. It has various pharmacological effects; recently the use of cumin has gained popularity because of herbal movement initiated by naturopaths, yog gurus, alternative medicine promoters and feed additives. Animal nutritionist is trying to exploit the potential use of cumin as a growth promoter, efficiency of nutrient utilization and mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. This review highlights the potential use of cumin as feed additive to increase production efficiency for effective animal production and reproduction