Applying nanotechnology to increase the rumen protection of amino acids in dairy cows

The amino acid requirements of high-production dairy cows represent a challenge to ensuring that their diet is supplied with available dietary resources, and thus supplementation with protected amino acids is necessary to increase their post-ruminal supply. Lysine is often the most limiting amino acid in corn-based diets. The present study proposes the use of lipid nanoparticles as novel rumen-bypass systems and assesses their capability to carry lysine. Solid lipid nanoparticles, nanostructured lipid carriers and multiple lipid nanoparticles were considered and their resistance in a rumen inoculum collected from fistulated cows was assessed. All nanoparticles presented diameters between 200–500 nm and surface charges lower than −30 mV. Lysine encapsulation was achieved in all nanoparticles, and its efficiency ranged from 40 to 90%. Solid lipid nanoparticles composed of arachidic or stearic acids and Tween 60 resisted ruminal digestion for up to 24 h. The nanoparticles were also proven to protect their lysine content from the ruminal microbiota. Based on our findings, the proposed nanoparticles represent promising candidates for rumen-bypass approaches and should be studied further to help improve the current technologies and overcome their limitations.