Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective

<i>Opuntia</i> spp. (forage cactus or spineless cactus) is a plant native to Mexico that is commonly used as alternative nutrient-rich fodder in semi-arid regions. Due to its resistance to drought, forage cactus has become an important least-cost ingredient for formulating balanced ratio...

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Main Authors: Stéfani A. Santos, Hortência E. P. Santana, Meirielly S. Jesus, Iran Alves Torquato, Joana Santos, Preciosa Pires, Denise Santos Ruzene, Daniel Pereira Silva
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Fermentation
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/10/10/531
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author Stéfani A. Santos
Hortência E. P. Santana
Meirielly S. Jesus
Iran Alves Torquato
Joana Santos
Preciosa Pires
Denise Santos Ruzene
Daniel Pereira Silva
author_facet Stéfani A. Santos
Hortência E. P. Santana
Meirielly S. Jesus
Iran Alves Torquato
Joana Santos
Preciosa Pires
Denise Santos Ruzene
Daniel Pereira Silva
author_sort Stéfani A. Santos
collection DOAJ
description <i>Opuntia</i> spp. (forage cactus or spineless cactus) is a plant native to Mexico that is commonly used as alternative nutrient-rich fodder in semi-arid regions. Due to its resistance to drought, forage cactus has become an important least-cost ingredient for formulating balanced rations for ruminants during times of scarcity. In addition, ensiling, an anaerobic fermentation process, is also a strategy used to allow a supply of bulky food all year round, since it conserves forage and maintains its nutritional value. In this sense, using the Scopus database and the visualization tool VOSviewer, the present work proposes a bibliometric analysis of forage cactus silage to track and map the evolution and main issues in the research field, current trends, and future directions. The results revealed that the first publication was in 2013; and since 2020, the number of publications has been growing. Brazil was highlighted, by far, as the most relevant country on the topic, and the top institutions were from northeast Brazil, which has been working on co-authored articles. The current hot research topics are focusing on the mixed silage of forage cactus and other forages such as gliricidia, maniçoba, and sorghum biomass, as well as evaluating the fermentative performance and chemical characteristics for improving ruminal diets, especially for goats and sheep. This study provides important information for researchers to identify gaps and direct their studies to better use the whole potential of forage cactus as an alternative roughage source.
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spelling doaj-art-441ec00c61c5440395b3908f91d92d3f2025-08-20T02:11:05ZengMDPI AGFermentation2311-56372024-10-01101053110.3390/fermentation10100531Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric PerspectiveStéfani A. Santos0Hortência E. P. Santana1Meirielly S. Jesus2Iran Alves Torquato3Joana Santos4Preciosa Pires5Denise Santos Ruzene6Daniel Pereira Silva7Center for Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, BrazilNortheastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, BrazilCISAS—Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalNortheastern Biotechnology Network, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, BrazilCISAS—Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalCISAS—Center for Research and Development in Agrifood Systems and Sustainability, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo, 4900-347 Viana do Castelo, PortugalCenter for Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, BrazilCenter for Exact Sciences and Technology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão 49100-000, SE, Brazil<i>Opuntia</i> spp. (forage cactus or spineless cactus) is a plant native to Mexico that is commonly used as alternative nutrient-rich fodder in semi-arid regions. Due to its resistance to drought, forage cactus has become an important least-cost ingredient for formulating balanced rations for ruminants during times of scarcity. In addition, ensiling, an anaerobic fermentation process, is also a strategy used to allow a supply of bulky food all year round, since it conserves forage and maintains its nutritional value. In this sense, using the Scopus database and the visualization tool VOSviewer, the present work proposes a bibliometric analysis of forage cactus silage to track and map the evolution and main issues in the research field, current trends, and future directions. The results revealed that the first publication was in 2013; and since 2020, the number of publications has been growing. Brazil was highlighted, by far, as the most relevant country on the topic, and the top institutions were from northeast Brazil, which has been working on co-authored articles. The current hot research topics are focusing on the mixed silage of forage cactus and other forages such as gliricidia, maniçoba, and sorghum biomass, as well as evaluating the fermentative performance and chemical characteristics for improving ruminal diets, especially for goats and sheep. This study provides important information for researchers to identify gaps and direct their studies to better use the whole potential of forage cactus as an alternative roughage source.https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/10/10/531cactus<i>Opuntia</i>silagebibliometrics
spellingShingle Stéfani A. Santos
Hortência E. P. Santana
Meirielly S. Jesus
Iran Alves Torquato
Joana Santos
Preciosa Pires
Denise Santos Ruzene
Daniel Pereira Silva
Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
Fermentation
cactus
<i>Opuntia</i>
silage
bibliometrics
title Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
title_full Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
title_fullStr Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
title_full_unstemmed Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
title_short Progress and Trends in Forage Cactus Silage Research: A Bibliometric Perspective
title_sort progress and trends in forage cactus silage research a bibliometric perspective
topic cactus
<i>Opuntia</i>
silage
bibliometrics
url https://www.mdpi.com/2311-5637/10/10/531
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