Effect of Adding Stems and Leaves of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi to Feed on the Microbial Diversity of Cattle Feces

Abstract Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi has important effectson anti-inflammation and anti-oxidation. However, there are few research reports on the application of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves as the roughage in animal husbandry. Therefore, this study aims to explore the effect of adding different proportions of Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves to feed on the microbial diversity of bovine feces.Twenty Simmental cattle were randomly divided into four groups: CON, adding 3%, 6% and 9% Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves. All four groups were treated for 105 days. We need to collect fresh faecal samples on 105d and study the microbiome of cattle feces using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The NMDS analysis showed substantial differences in bacterial community composition between the treatment group and the CON group. At the phylum level, adding Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves can significantly reduce the Firmicutes / Bacteroides ratio. After adding 3%, 6%, and 9% Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves, the relative abundance of Spirochaetes decreased. After adding 9% Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves, the relative abundance of Verrucomimicrobia and Proteobacteria decreased. These inter group differential microbiota mainly participates in the Amino Acid Biosvthesis, Fatty Acid and Lipid Biosynthesis, Carbohydrate Biosynthesis, Carbohydrate Degradation, Nucleoside and Nucleotide Degradation, Fermentation, Glycolysis, TCA cycle, Glycan Biosynthesis and Glycan Degradation pathway. Therefore, our research shows that adding Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi stems and leaves to feed can improve cattle's antioxidant capacity, reduce harmful gut bacteria and inflammatory reactions, and promote healthy growth of beef cattle. This provides a new strategy for future cattle farming.