Research Article

Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin

Number: Advanced Online Publication Early Pub Date: August 19, 2026

Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin

Abstract

Capsaicin (CAP), the pungent component of chili peppers, possesses antimicrobial activity against a broad range of bacteria. This study evaluated the in vitro effects of CAP on ruminal fermentation under normal and acidic (SARA) pH conditions using the Rusitec system, in comparison with monensin (MON). By isolating pure capsaicin and applying a controlled dual-pH design, this study addresses uncertainty regarding CAP’s specific regulatory role in the rumen, thereby distinguishing its effects from those of complex phytochemical blends. The 18-day trial included adaptation, normal fermentation, and acidosis phases. CAP was tested at 1, 5, and 25 mg/L alongside MON (5 mg/L) under a high-concentrate diet (20:80). CAP significantly reduced ruminal pH at all doses, while SARA induction caused a clear phase-dependent pH decline in all fermenters. Total volatile fatty acids (VFA) production was unaffected by treatments but decreased during acidosis. MON increased propionate under both pH conditions, whereas CAP showed no effect. Only the CAP5 and CAP25 groups had higher methane production than the MON group. Protozoal counts were lowest in the MON group. NH₃-N and dry matter digestibility declined solely due to acidosis. Overall, at the tested doses, CAP exerted minimal influence on ruminal fermentation compared with MON.

Keywords

Project Number

15L0239005

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Veterinary Anatomy and Physiology

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

August 19, 2026

Publication Date

-

Submission Date

February 19, 2026

Acceptance Date

July 16, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Number: Advanced Online Publication

APA
Unler, M., & Öztürk, H. (2026). Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1892357
AMA
1.Unler M, Öztürk H. Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1892357
Chicago
Unler, Melis, and Hakan Öztürk. 2026. “Effects of Capsaicin on Rumen Fermentation under Normal and Acidosis PH Conditions: A Comparative Rusitec Study With Monensin”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication. https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1892357.
EndNote
Unler M, Öztürk H (August 1, 2026) Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi Advanced Online Publication
IEEE
[1]M. Unler and H. Öztürk, “Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin”, Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi: 10.33988/auvfd.1892357.
ISNAD
Unler, Melis - Öztürk, Hakan. “Effects of Capsaicin on Rumen Fermentation under Normal and Acidosis PH Conditions: A Comparative Rusitec Study With Monensin”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi. Advanced Online Publication (August 1, 2026). https://doi.org/10.33988/auvfd.1892357.
JAMA
1.Unler M, Öztürk H. Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026. doi:10.33988/auvfd.1892357.
MLA
Unler, Melis, and Hakan Öztürk. “Effects of Capsaicin on Rumen Fermentation under Normal and Acidosis PH Conditions: A Comparative Rusitec Study With Monensin”. Ankara Üniversitesi Veteriner Fakültesi Dergisi, no. Advanced Online Publication, Aug. 2026, doi:10.33988/auvfd.1892357.
Vancouver
1.Melis Unler, Hakan Öztürk. Effects of capsaicin on rumen fermentation under normal and acidosis pH conditions: A comparative Rusitec study with monensin. Ankara Univ Vet Fak Derg. 2026 Aug. 1;(Advanced Online Publication). doi:10.33988/auvfd.1892357