Cashew Nut Shells (Anacardium occidentale) in Sheep Rations: Potential, Challenges, and Opportunities: A Systematic Review
DOI:
10.29303/jppipa.v11i12.13506Published:
2025-12-31Downloads
Abstract
Feed security is a major challenge in livestock production systems, especially with the limited availability of conventional feed ingredients competing with human food needs and high price volatility. The use of cashew nut shell (CNS) as an alternative feed component can address this challenge. This study adopts a systematic literature review design to identify, analyze, and synthesize empirical research on the utilization of CNS in sheep rations published within the last decade (2016–2025). The aim of this study is to analyze the nutritional potential, biological benefits, as well as the challenges and development opportunities of CNS as sheep feed. The findings show that CNS contains energy levels comparable to conventional feed ingredients, and it also contains bioactive compounds such as anacardic acid and cardol, which act as natural antimicrobial agents and can reduce enteric methane emissions. However, the use of CNS faces challenges related to the presence of toxic phenolic compounds, although these can be mitigated with processing technologies such as fermentation, thermal treatment, and extraction. CNS holds significant potential as an affordable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative feed. Its use contributes to climate change mitigation by reducing methane emissions. This article provides a significant contribution to applied science by offering empirical evidence to support the sustainability of livestock systems through the utilization of alternative feed resources
Keywords:
Alternative feed Cashew nut shell Nutrition Sheep SustainabilityReferences
Adetunji, A. P., Aderinboye, R. Y., Adebayo, K. O., Ojo, V. O., Idowu, P. A., and Mtileni, B. (2020). Effect of cashew nut shell liquid at varying inclusion levels on rumen fermentation and methane production in vitro. Journal of Animal Behaviour and Biometeorology, 8(2), 82–87. https://doi.org/10.31893/jabb.20011
Alltech. (2025). Global feed survey 2025. Alltech Inc. https://www.alltech.com
Araújo, D., Araújo, M., Silva, S., Pereira Filho, J., Parente, M., Oliveira, R., Mazzetto, S., Oliveira, J., Edvan, R., and Bezerra, L. (2023). Effect of technical cashew nut shell liquid on growth, physicochemical and fatty acid composition of lamb meat. Small Ruminant Research, 227. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2023.107070
Baca Gonzalez, V., Asensio Calavia, P., Gonzalez Acosta, S., de la Lastra, J. M. P., and de la Nuez, A. M. (2020). Are vaccines the solution for methane emissions from ruminants? Vaccines, 8(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/vaccines8030460
Beauchemin, K. A., Ungerfeld, E. M., Eckard, R. J., and Wang, M. (2020). Fifty years of research on rumen methanogenesis: Lessons learned and future challenges for mitigation. Animal, 14(S1), S2–S16. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731119003100
Belanche, A., Pinloche, E., Preskett, D., and Newbold, C. J. (2016). Effects and mode of action of chitosan and ivy fruit saponins on the microbiome, fermentation and methanogenesis. FEMS Microbiology Ecology, 92(12). https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiw177
BPS. (2021). Livestock Statistics in Indonesia 2021. Badan Pusat Statistik.
BPS. (2023). Results of the 2023 Livestock Census. Badan Pusat Statistik.
Chung, K. W. Y., Blin, J., Lanvin, C., Martin, E., Valette, J., and Van De Steene, L. (2024). Pyrolysis of cashew nut shells—focus on extractives. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 179. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaap.2024.106452
Compton, C., Pena, O. M., Hikita, C., Watanabe, T., Jenkins, T. C., Lascano, G. J., and Aguerre, M. J. (2023). Effects of Cashew Nut Shell Extract on Ruminal Fermentation and Nutrient Digestibility under Continuous Culture. Ruminants, 3(1), 92–99. https://doi.org/10.3390/ruminants3010008
Cuervo, W., Gomez, C., Tarnonsky, F., Fernandez Marenchino, I., Maderal, A., Podversich, F., Vargas, J., and DiLorenzo, N. (2024). Effect of cashew nutshell extract, saponins and tannins addition on methane emissions and nutrient digestibility. Animals, 14(21). https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14213126
FAO Statistical Database. (2020). Livestock contribution to global food security and economic development. FAOSTAT.
Feedipedia. (2022). Cashew nuts and byproducts feed composition. https://www.feedipedia.org/node/88
Gaspe, R.-J. F. A., Obitsu, T., Sugino, T., Kurokawa, Y., and Kuroki, Y. (2024). Effects of cashew nut shell liquid on milk production and related parameters in dairy cattle. Animal Science Journal, 95(1), e13983. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13983
Godde, C. M., O’Brien, D. J., and Jones, A. L. (2021). Sustainability of livestock farming systems. Environmental Science and Policy, 123, 103–110. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsci.2021.03.004
Goetz, B. M., Allen, F. E., Carpenter, S. S., and Romero, L. M. (2023). Effects of cashew nut shell extract and monensin on in vitro ruminal fermentation. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2023.115795
Jalal, H., Sucu, E., Cavallini, D., Giammarco, M., Akram, M., and Karkar, B. (2025). Rumen fermentation profile and methane mitigation potential of mango and avocado byproducts. Scientific Reports, 15(1), 16164. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-00675-2
Jayanegara, A., Goel, G., Makkar, H. P. S., and Becker, K. (2018). Reduction in methane emissions from ruminants using plant secondary metabolites: A meta-analysis. Journal of Animal Physiology and Animal Nutrition, 102(1), 558–573. https://doi.org/10.1111/jpn.12823
Kang, S., Suzuki, R., Suzuki, Y., Koike, S., and Kobayashi, Y. (2018). Rumen responses to dietary supplementation with cashew nut shell liquid. Animal Science Journal, 89(1), 44–52. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.12913
Koike, S., Yang, X., Calsamiglia, S., Plaizier, J., and Kobayashi, Y. (2020). Network analysis of microbiome under cashew nut shell feeding. Frontiers in Microbiology, 11, 980. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2020.00980
Ku-Vera, J. C., Jiménez-Ocampo, R., Valencia-Salazar, S. S., Montoya-Flores, M. D., Molina-Botero, I. C., Arango, J., and others. (2020). Role of Secondary Plant Metabolites on Enteric Methane Mitigation in Ruminants. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 7, 584. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.00584
Mota, J., and Silva, J. (2011). Effects of cashew nut shell liquid on methane production in sheep. Journal of Animal Science, 89, 2954–2962. https://doi.org/10.2527/jas.2011-4214
Narabe, C., Kamiyama, S., Saito, M., Boonsaen, P., Khongpradit, A., Sawanon, S., Suzuki, Y., Koike, S., and Kobayashi, Y. (2021). Cashew nut shell liquid potentially mitigates methane emission from the feces of Thai native ruminant livestock by modifying fecal microbiota. Animal Science Journal, 92(12), e13614. https://doi.org/10.1111/asj.13614
O’Brien, D., Shalloo, L., Buckley, F., and Grainger, C. (2023). Strategies to reduce methane emissions in ruminant livestock systems: Recent progress and future perspectives. Animal, 17, 100612. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2022.100612
Oh, S., Suzuki, Y., Hayashi, S., and Kobayashi, Y. (2017). Potency of CNSL in rumen modulation. Journal of Animal Science and Technology, 59, 27. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40781-017-0150-8
Page, M. J., McKenzie, J. E., and Bossuyt, P. M. (2021). The PRISMA 2020 statement. BMJ, 372, n71. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.n71
Patra, A. K. (2016). Recent advances in methane inhibition using plant secondary metabolites. Animal Feed Science and Technology, 231, 1–9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anifeedsci.2016.07.005
Purwasih, R., Sutaryo, S., Purnomoadi, A., Purbowati, E., and Haryanto, B. (2025). Anaerobic digestion from fruit waste for biogas production. Sustainable Futures, 10, 101255. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sftr.2025.101255
Ramos, L., Silva, F., and Ferreira, D. (2021). Feeding lambs with CNSL. Meat Science, 176, 108488. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.meatsci.2021.108488
Rashmi, K. M. (2024). Evaluation of cashew nut meal on rumen fermentation. Indian Journal of Animal Research, 58(9), 1586–1592. https://doi.org/10.18805/IJAR.B-5256
Saenab, A., Wiryawan, K., Retnani, Y., and Wina, E. (2017). Anacardic acid isolated from cashew nut shell. Media Peternakan, 40(2), 94–100. https://doi.org/10.5398/medpet.2017.40.2.94
Silva, T. C. (2024). Replacing antibiotic with chitosan. Tropical Animal Science Journal, 47(2), 225–234. https://doi.org/10.5398/tasj.2024.47.2.225
Sruthi, N., and Naidu, M. (2023). Bioactive phenolic compounds from cashew nut shell. Food Chemistry, 405, 134995. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.foodchem.2022.134995
Vieira, E. R. Q. (2022). Chitosan combined with CNSL improves rumen parameters. Revista Brasileira de Zootecnia, 51. https://doi.org/10.37496/rbz5120200186
Vieira, E. R. Q. (2023). Combination of chitosan and CNSL as sustainable feed additive. Polymers, 15(12), 2773. https://doi.org/10.3390/polym15122773
Yeniçeri, M., Filik, A. G., and Filik, G. (2025). A Comprehensive Review of Cashew By-Products in Animal Feed: Nutritional Potential, Processing, Safety, Microbiome Impacts, and Sustainability. Turkish Journal of Agriculture - Food Science and Technology, 13(10), 3003–3009. https://doi.org/10.24925/turjaf.v13i10.3003-3009.7914
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Mardiansyah, Mukh. Arifin, Agung Purnomoadi, Endang Purbowati
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Authors who publish with Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA, agree to the following terms:
- Authors retain copyright and grant the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC-BY License). This license allows authors to use all articles, data sets, graphics, and appendices in data mining applications, search engines, web sites, blogs, and other platforms by providing an appropriate reference. The journal allows the author(s) to hold the copyright without restrictions and will retain publishing rights without restrictions.
- Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in Jurnal Penelitian Pendidikan IPA.
- Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).
