Open Access Review

Phytochemically Rich Food-System By-Products in Ruminant Diets: Nutritional and Health Benefits from Animals to Humans within a Circular Bioeconomy

Received: 10 December 2025;  Published: 03 April 2026;  doi: 10.21926/rpn.2602004

Abstract

Food-system by-products (FSBP), including agricultural by-products, agro-industrial co-products, and food-processing residues, represent an underused source of nutrients and plant secondary compounds with significant potential in ruminant feeding systems. This review synthesized 96 peer-reviewed studies published between 2000 and 2025 on phytochemically rich FSBP in ruminant diets, focusing on composition, rumen fermentation, animal health and performance, product quality, and environmental outc [...]