Mapping the Intellectual Structure and Thematic Evolution of Dietary Fat Research in Ruminants: A Comprehensive Bibliometric Analysis

Interest in dietary fat supplementation in ruminant nutrition has significantly evolved in recent decades. However, a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of this field is lacking. To address this gap, this study analyzed documents published up to 2024 using specific search terms in the Scopus database. 450 publications were identified and analyzed using the bibliometrix R-package and VOSviewer software, incorporating key bibliometric techniques including co-authorship analysis, keyword co-occurrence, co-citation analysis, and thematic and topic evolution mapping. The analysis revealed that the majority of the literature consists of research articles, focusing on both fundamental biochemical studies and practical applications in dairy and meat production. Core journals such as the Journal of Dairy Science, Journal of Animal Science, and Animal Feed Science and Technology have been pivotal in shaping this field. The number of publications has steadily increased, particularly in recent years, reflecting a shift towards integrating nutritional strategies with environmental sustainability. Institutions from North America and Europe have dominated the research output. Emerging themes for future research include "alternative fat sources" and "methane mitigation," highlighting a growing focus on sustainable practices that reduce the environmental footprint of ruminant production while enhancing the health quality of animal products