From rumen fermentation to productivity: a bibliometric synthesis of nanotechnology in small ruminant nutrition

Document Type : Research Article (Regular Paper)

Author

Department of Animal Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture and Animal Science, University of Torbat-e Jam, Torbat-e Jam, Iran

Abstract

Conventional dietary supplements in livestock often face challenges of poor bioavailability and environmental impact, limiting their sustainable use. Nanotechnology-based approaches present innovative solutions by improving nutrient efficiency and enhancing productivity in small ruminant. The present investigation offers a rigorous bibliometric examination of the worldwide scholarly discourse surrounding nanoparticle-mediated nutritional interventions in small ruminant species, particularly sheep and goats. Leveraging a structured analytic framework, this study scrutinized publication data amassed between 2010 and 2025 from the databases Science Direct, Google Scholar, and Dimensions. Data curation and refinement, performed via Publish or Perish and standardized into CSV format, enabled a robust keyword co-occurrence analysis using VOSviewer, thereby ensuring methodological rigor and reproducibility, with acknowledgment that results may be shaped by database scope, English-language bias, and keyword-selection thresholds inherent to co-occurrence mapping. Findings disclose an appreciable escalation in the volume of pertinent literature since 2017, with discernible spikes in scientific productivity concentrated in 2021 and 2023. The bibliometric mapping identified pivotal thematic nodes, namely nanotechnology, nanoparticles, livestock, sheep, digestibility, and bioavailability. Concurrently, emerging research frontiers such as selenium and zinc nanoparticles, rumen physiology, heat stress responses, toxicity, and nano-enabled drug delivery have gained greater visibility in recent scholarly output. Temporal analyses of keyword co-occurrence patterns demonstrated a field-wide evolution, transitioning from foundational inquiries into ruminal fermentation and in vitro digestibility toward sophisticated applications aimed at enhancing feed efficiency, safety, and overall efficacy. Notably, highly cited studies have consistently highlighted the superior bioavailability of nano-form selenium and zinc, which may serve as benchmarks for innovation in the domain. Parallel to these advancements, there is increasing scholarly attention on the assessment of biological safety, metabolic fate, and the ecological ramifications of nanoparticle use in animal nutrition. In summary, emerging evidence highlights that low-dose nano-selenium and nano-zinc can improve rumen function, antioxidant status, and growth in small ruminant, while reducing mineral excretion, when implemented through extension-guided dosing, verified suppliers, and phased farm-scale trials providing practical guidance for farmers and feed producers.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Livestock Science and Technologies
Volume 14, Issue 2
February 2026
Pages 73-88

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